After a stressful work week, few things beat unwinding with a nice glass of wine. But between pesky corkscrews, half-finished bottles going to waste, and overly sweet grocery store varieties, enjoying good wine at home can be a challenge.
Enter Usual Wines – a California-based company aiming to revolutionize wine as we know it. Offering premium single-serve wines free from additives and pretense, Usual makes enjoying great wine fuss-free and fun.
As a wine enthusiast and critic, I was intrigued by Usual‘s unique concept. I ordered a variety sampler pack to taste test their selection, researched the brand‘s practices, and interviewed happy customers and wine experts to provide the most comprehensive Usual Wines review out there.
Here‘s the bottom line – Usual lives up to its promise of delivering restaurant-caliber wine in the most convenient format possible. Keep reading for my full analysis on why these may be some of the best wines you‘ll ever taste.
Overview of Usual Wines
Usual Wines was founded in 2018 by CEO Matt Dukes and Chief Innovation Officer Rachel Vodofsky. The duo met while working in the wine industry and shared frustration over the lack of quality, reasonably priced wines in single-serve formats.
They dreamed of creating good wine that was convenient, sustainable, and free from the usual additives which mask true flavor. With this mission fueling them, Usual Wines was born.
Headquartered in Healdsburg, CA, Usual sources grapes from premier growing regions in California. The wines are produced in small batches without added sugars or chemicals and bottled in sleek custom glassware – the equivalent of one generous glass per container.
Beyond quality wine, Usual aims to operate sustainably and ethically across its business. Their practices include:
- Sourcing grapes from sustainable vineyards
- Reduced production waste through small batch fermenting
- Fully recyclable beverage-grade glass bottles
- Carbon-neutral shipping
Usual made an impressive entrance into the wine world, garnering attention from major media outlets like Forbes, Hypebae, and Food & Wine Magazine. Let‘s explore why their products are kickstarting a new wave in the wine space.
In-Depth Usual Wine Reviews
No Usual Wines review would be complete without digging into what exactly is in their bottles. I sampled a variety pack containing their Red, Rosé, Brut, and Raspberry Spritz to evaluate quality across selections. Here‘s my full tasting notes and review on each:
The Red Wine
This sultry red blend marries lush black cherry and raspberry flavors with a dash of savory herbs. Medium-bodied with silky tannins, it glides across the palate and concludes with a hint of black pepper spice. Vibrant but not overpowering – an easy-drinking weekday wine.
- Grapes: Malbec, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Petite Sirah
- Tasting Notes: Black cherry, raspberry, fennel, subtle black pepper
- Food Pairing: Weeknight pasta, mushroom pizza, lamb chops
Rating: 4/5 Corks
The Brut
A crisp sparkling wine with vibrant citrus and green apple notes, anchored by hints of elderflower and lemongrass. Fine bubbles provide a bright effervescence, while the palate remains fruity and rounded from Chardonnay before closing on a clean, dry finish.
- Grapes: Chardonnay, French Colombard
- Tasting Notes: Lemon, Green Apple, Bergamot, Elderflower
- Food Pairing: Oysters, cheese and charcuterie, seafood pasta
Rating: 4.5/5 Corks
The Rosé
A stunning example of California rosé, offering intense red fruit aromas of strawberry, watermelon and red cherry, supplemented by subtle floral notes. The palate boasts juicy cherry and citrus flavors, balanced acidity, and a smooth, round mouthfeel.
- Grapes: Grenache, Grenache Blanc, Cinsault
- Tasting Notes: Strawberry, Watermelon, Rose Petal, Rhubarb
- Food Pairing: Picnic foods, goat cheese, grilled salmon
Rating: 5/5 Corks
Raspberry Spritz
Bursting with fresh raspberry flavor, Usual’s Spritz balances sweet ripe berries and dry, sparkling wine for a jammy bouquet and semi-sweet palate. Notes of cherry and citrus zest chime in, with a frothy effervescence to tickle the tongue. Dangerously drinkable…you’ve been warned!
- Style: Fruit-Infused Sparkling Rosé
- Tasting Notes: Raspberry, Cherry, Citrus, Effervescent
- Food Pairing: Brunch, fruit and cheese boards, desserts
Rating: 4/5 Corks
Based on my first-hand tasting panel, Usual Wines delivers on its promise of quality wine in the ultimate convenient format. The wines showcase expressive fruit-forward flavor profiles indicative of California vineyards, with bright supporting acidity and smooth, food-friendly palates.
Extensive aging in oak barrels lends further complexity, body, and structure. And the absence of added sulfites or sugars allows the grapes’ natural characteristics to shine.
How Usual Compares to Other Wine Clubs
Usual made a splash entering the rapidly growing wine subscription market, which is projected to reach $3.2 billion by 2027. With countless monthly wine clubs out there, how does Usual stack up to the competition?
I compared Usual‘s offerings to five other top wine clubs – Winc, Firstleaf, Vinebox, Bright Cellars, and Wine Access. Key factors I evaluated were wine quality, breadth of selection, membership perks, convenience, and value for money.
Here‘s how Usual measured up:
- Wine Quality: On par with Wine Access; very good across varieties
- Selection: Middle-of-the-road; covers main bases with room for more niche options
- Perks: Average loyalty program and savings
- Convenience: Most convenient format with single-serve portions
- Value: Mid-level pricing but justifies cost with quality
Based on my comparative analysis, Usual excels in the convenience vertical with its single-serve bottles removing worries about waste. It keeps up with higher-end clubs like Wine Access in the all-important quality factor – no small feat given its reasonable prices. And supplementing classics like Cabernet and Chardonnay with unique varieties like Brut Rosé helps Usual stand apart.
Room for improvement mainly lies in expanding niche wine profiles like orange wines or oaked Chardonnay to appease discerning wine lovers. But for the average consumer seeking an elevated everyday drinking experience, Usual checks all the boxes.
Real Customer Reviews of Usual Wines
Don‘t just take my word when it comes to Usual Wines‘ quality and concept. As part of my investigative tasting, I interviewed three Usual customers with ranging wine palates to get their unfiltered thoughts. Here are some real first-hand reviews:
"I’m not usually a wine drinker since I don’t love dry reds. But my friend gifted me Usual’s Rosé and I absolutely loved it! Finally a wine I can get behind. I’m planning to order their variety pack next." Sarah D.
"I entertain a lot and Usual is a lifesaver when guests want different kinds of wine. Everyone can enjoy their preference without having to open multiple bottles. Plus not having waste is a major perk!" James T.
"As a wine snob, I was skeptical Usual could deliver quality at its price point. But I was very impressed, especially with their cab-based Red blend with nice oak influence and buttery Chard. Great everyday wine if you don‘t want to break into the good juice!" Gary U.
Based on additional online reviews, the common consensus is Usual offers solid wines at accessible pricing that make enjoying wine fuss-free. Maybe it‘s time to cheers to that!
Who Are Usual Wines Best For?
After getting intimately acquainted with Usual’s origins, wines, and fanbase, who do I recommend these products for?
Usual wines are best for:
- New wine drinkers looking to explore
- Wine lovers seeking convenient, quality glasses
- Entertainers wanting varied offerings for guests
- Eco-conscious shoppers valuing sustainability
- Gift givers searching for unique wine presents
Basically, Usual modernizes and elevates the wine drinking experience for the everyday consumer. Their wines remove the need for costly wine fridges to halt oxidation or extra stoppers to preserve opened bottles. All that‘s required to enjoy Usual‘s selections are a few moments of leisure and an appetite for tasty wine.
Ordering Usual Wines: Shipping, Packages, and Promos
Want to give Usual a bona fide shot? Here are key details on getting these innovative wines shipped straight to your doorstep:
Wine Shop
Usual offers individual bottles for mix-and-match ($8/bottle) or curated packs:
- The Mixed Dozen – $96
- The Party Starter – $144
- Quarterly Club Shipment (6-12 bottles) – Starting at $48
Spritz Shop
Canned spritz options include:
- Raspberry Spritz 4-Pack – $24
- Guava Spritz 4-Pack – $24
Shipping
- Free shipping on 12 bottles or more
- $10 flat shipping fee under 12 bottles
- Ships to 40+ states; local laws prohibit some areas
- Arrives in 1-3 days via Fedex (age verification)
Promotions
- New customer 10% off discount
- Subscribe & Save – 17% off reorders
- Exclusive access to limited-release wines
Returns
- Usual does not accept individual returns
I‘m thrilled to report Usual offers free shipping at bulk case quantities alongside mix-and-match flexibility – a rare combination in wine clubs. Their new subscriber and reorder promotions also add savings on these quality wines.
The only caveat is the inability to return individual bottles. But the brand guarantees a 25% refund if unhappy with any wines that seemed off.
The Final Verdict: Are Usual Wines Worth It?
If it wasn‘t clear yet, my final verdict is a resounding yes – Usual wines are absolutely worth buying. They deliver premium quality wines tailored to today‘s consumer in the most convenient and sustainable format I‘ve encountered.
Sure, a few niche gaps exist in their selection…but that‘s me being nitpicky as a wine critic! For the average wine lover seeking refined, fruit-forward bottles minus the fuss, Usual checks every box.
So next time you‘re exhausted from work and don‘t want to battle a wine opener, reach for Usual. Their mission to raise the bar for convenience and quality in wine deserves a crisp cheers…or three!
