Martha Stewart Wine Review: A Connoisseur‘s Take on Martha‘s Online Wine Shop
When you think of Martha Stewart, impeccable taste and entertaining prowess likely come to mind. But did you know the lifestyle guru is also a bonafide wine connoisseur? In 2017, Martha Stewart launched Martha Stewart Wine Co., an online wine shop and wine club delivering Martha‘s favorite bottles right to your door.
As someone who appreciates the finer things, I was intrigued to try Martha Stewart Wine for myself. I spent many pleasant evenings sipping through their collection. Now I‘m sharing my honest review and everything you need to know before you pop a cork on a bottle from Martha herself.
About Martha Stewart Wine
Martha Stewart is famous for her discerning palate, so it‘s no surprise she‘s stepped into the world of wine. Martha Stewart Wine features a curated selection of wines from top vineyards around the world, all hand-picked by Martha herself. The goal is to offer interesting, high-quality wines at accessible prices that anyone can enjoy.
The online shop offers a range of reds, whites, rosés and dessert wines from famous regions in France, Italy, California and beyond. You can shop by the bottle or case, or join the Martha Stewart Wine Club to have Martha‘s favorites delivered monthly. Every wine comes with pairing recommendations, tasting notes, and the story behind the bottle.
Reviewing Martha‘s Wine Selection
Now let‘s uncork the real question: how good is the wine from Martha Stewart Wine Co.? I sampled a mixed case to get a sense of the quality and variety. Here are a few of the standouts:
2019 Villa Ruby Caresse de Rosé
This classic French rosé from the Languedoc-Roussillon region is summer in a glass. It‘s light, crisp, and aromatic with notes of strawberry, white peach, and orange blossom. The Villa Ruby Caresse de Rosé is perfect as an aperitif or paired with light appetizers. At $14.99, it‘s an elegant and affordable bottle to always have chilled.
2016 L‘Aragone Cuvée Prestige Rouge
On the red side, the 2016 L‘Aragone Cuvée Prestige Rouge was a showstopper with its deep ruby color and full body. This blend of Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvèdre grapes comes from the Rhone Valley in France. It‘s rich and smooth with notes of black cherry, raspberry, and spice. Pair it with hearty proteins like steak and lamb chops. $19.99.
2018 Goldstream Sauvignon Blanc
Fans of New Zealand Sauvignon Blancs will appreciate the 2018 Goldstream Sauvignon Blanc. It has that classic zing and tropical profile the region is famous for. The nose is bright with aromas of grapefruit, lime zest, and freshly cut grass. On the palate it‘s crisp and refreshing with vibrant acidity. Enjoy with fresh seafood dishes or as a warm weather refresher. $17.99.
While not every wine was a revelation, the overall quality was consistently high. The Martha Stewart Wine team clearly has a knack for sourcing crowd-pleasing bottles. Most hover in the $15-25 range, so they offer very solid value as well.
The Martha Stewart Wine Club
If you love the thrill of discovering new wines, the Martha Stewart Wine Club is the way to go. Members receive either 6 or 12 bottles of Martha‘s selections delivered every 6 or 8 weeks. You can choose your wine preference (red, white, or mixed) and each box comes with pairing suggestions and tasting notes.
The Wine Club starts at $87.99 for 6 bottles ($14.66/bottle) or $159.99 for 12 bottles ($13.33/bottle), with free shipping on subscription boxes. The selections are designed to be approachable crowd-pleasers suitable for everyday drinking and entertaining.
"These are the wines I serve to family and friends," Martha explains. "Each wine is hand-picked for its incredible value and taste. My team and I have done all the work for you – tasting, pairing, and sharing our knowledge – so you can sit back and enjoy a wonderful glass of wine."
While you don‘t get input into your Wine Club selections, it‘s a great way to expand your palate and discover new wines from around the world without any guesswork. Many of the wines are also exclusive to Martha Stewart Wine Co.
A Closer Look Behind the Bottles
To fully appreciate Martha Stewart Wine, it helps to know a bit about where the wines come from. The 2019 Villa Amalia Rosé, for example, is made in a small town in Provence, France where rosé is a way of life. The wine is a blend of Grenache and Cinsault grapes grown in rocky hillside vineyards. Only the first gentle pressing of the grapes is used to preserve the wine‘s freshness and delicate pink color.
In California, Martha Stewart Wine has partnered with Julien Fayard, one of Napa Valley‘s premier winemakers. Julien crafted a custom Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon for the wine shop using grapes from some of Napa‘s most prized vineyards. The wine is aged in French oak barrels to give it a plush, velvety texture.
While not every wine comes with such a detailed backstory, it‘s clear careful consideration goes into the sourcing and winemaking. Even everyday drinkers get the white glove treatment in Martha‘s shop.
Gifting and Limited Releases
In addition to individual bottles and the Wine Club, Martha Stewart Wine offers several ways to give the gift of wine. The Gift + Give collection features festive wine and food pairings perfect for any occasion (think Coq Au Vin and Cotes du Rhone). You can also send personalized gift cards for the wine lover in your life to pick their own bottles.
The shop also has seasonal and limited edition collections to keep things fresh. Recent releases include the Summer Rosé Collection, Cinco De Mayo Collection, and California Centric Case. Many sell out quickly, so it pays to stock up if a theme speaks to you.
The Final Uncorking
So is Martha Stewart Wine worth a try? If you appreciate a well-curated wine selection and the convenience of home delivery, the answer is a resounding yes. Martha‘s collection manages to be both accessible and refined, with solid quality across the board. While you won‘t find any crazy deals, the prices are fair for the caliber of wine.
The Wine Club in particular is a great way to expand your horizons and take the guesswork out of choosing wines. It makes a lovely gift for any wine lover or a fun way to treat yourself to new bottles on the regular.
One watch-out is that shipping is only available to select states, so check your zip code before you get too attached to any bottles. The website also has limited filtering options, so it can take some scrolling to find wines in your taste and budget.
But all in all, Martha Stewart Wine delivers on its promise of bringing a taste of the good life to your home bar. These are food-friendly, crowd-pleasing wines sourced from top regions around the world. While you can certainly find other good wine clubs and shops online, Martha‘s is a trusty option for novice and seasoned sippers alike. Cheers!
More Ways to Wine Down
Love discovering new wines? Here are a few more resources to sip on:
- Beginner‘s wine tasting guide – learn how to taste wine like a pro
- How to host a wine tasting party at home
- The best wine tools and accessories every home bar needs
- Signing up for a wine club? Read this first
- 5 underrated wine regions to have on your radar
