Guest Post
Caitlin “Kat” Gifford

Are you a wine lover?

If you answered “yes,” then there’s one thing you absolutely must have this Christmas season.

A wine advent calendar.

Say what? What even is a wine advent calendar?

Answer: exactly what it sounds like.

It’s a delightful calendar that lets you count down to the holidays by opening a different door from Dec 1 until Christmas Eve.  Behind each door is a different surprise.  In this case, the surprise is a different wine everyday.

But, which wine advent calendar should you get?

 

Here are my top 5 picks for the Best Wine Advent Calendars of 2019:

 

1. Drinjk Wine’s Luxury Wine Advent Calendar

The countdown to Christmas just got a lot merrier with Drinjk Wine’s luxury advent calendar.

A newcomer to the wine advent calendar game, Drinjk is setting the bar pretty high for their competitors. Each advent calendar contains 24 different wines in Drinjk’s new 6.3-ounce designer glass bottles. 

Price:$99 ($4.13/bottle)

Pros:

• Featuring crisp whites, dreamy reds, and rosy rosés
• More variety of wines than any other Wine Advent Calendar on the market
• The patented single-serve bottles are so cool! WAY more chic than those mini bottles like the ones you get at hotels
• Created in the USA
• All the wines are exclusive and not sold anywhere else in North America

Cons:

• Very limited supply. Only 1500 will be sold

With only a limited number available, you want to make sure you get yours before they’re gone! You do NOT want to miss this one. Sign up early for thepre-waiting list for Drink Wine’s Luxury Wine Advent Calendar today.

 

2. Kroger’s Oh What Fun! Holiday Wine Countdown Calendar

Also new to the wine advent calendar scene, Kroger is debuting their Oh What Fun! (get it?) Holiday Wine Countdown Calendar in November.

Jingle your way through the Yuletide with Kroger’s wine advent calendar, featuring a variety of whites, reds, rosés, and even festive sparkling wines.

 

Price:$79.99 ($3.33/bottle)

Pros:

• New on the market for 2019
• Better availability — Kroger will be releasing 16,000 calendars (more East Coast)
• Classic, cozy design

 

Cons:

• The packaging is pretty plain, despite the classic look
• Typical mini wine bottle design, aka the hotel minibar
• Wines are privately labeled with little information other than the country of origin

Kroger’s Oh What Fun! Holiday Wine Countdown Calendar will be available on their website and in select stores on November 1st. Pre-order is not available, but you cancheck it out here.

 

3. Aldi’s Wine Advent Calendar

(Image from Aldi Blog)

If you didn’t get yours last year, now is your chance. This popular wine advent calendar is back for Holiday 2019!

This advent calendar was a success in 2018. It sold out mere minutes after hitting the shelves, however, they did have limited availability in each store (some people say their store only had 3).

 

Price:Aldi has not yet confirmed a price. Last years’ calendar varied slightly by store, but averaged about $69.99 ($2.92/bottle).

Pros:

• Affordable price point
• Fun box design
• Features a decent variety of reds, whites, and sparkling wines, even some bubbly!

Cons:

• Last years’ box had duplicates (Aldi has not confirmed this years’ lineup)
• Lower quality wines
• Only two will be allowed per customer — if you were hoping to get a few for gifts, you may need to look elsewhere

 

Purchase limits and high-popularity means high competition for this wine advent calendar. If you want to get one, start mentally preparing to queue up now.Aldi’s Wine Advent Calendar will be available in stores on November 6th.

 

 4. The Pip Stop’s Super Sparkling Wine Advent Calendar

(Image from Pip Stop's Product Page)

Do you like your Christmas with a little more sparkle?

If you answered “yes,” the Pip Stop’s Super Sparkling Advent Calendar might be right up your alley. Straight from the UK, this calendar features nothing but sparkling wine. This chic, black and gold box features 24 mini bottles of what might be your new favorite sparkling wines.

 

Price: £124.99 (£5.21/bottle) or $198.95 ($8.29/bottl

Pros:

• All sparkling wines (if that’s your jam)
• Features wines from 3 different countries
• Sparkling wine can be paired with orange juice to make mimosas — y’know, when can’t wait until the evening. Brunch, anyone?

Cons:

• Ships from the UK
• US customers must order through a 2nd party, the Spirit Co.
• Only contains 13 different wines, so duplicates are expected
• At $8.29 per bottle, this is the priciest calendar per ml on the list

 

The Pip Stop’s Super Sparkling Advent Calendar isavailable in the UK here. The Pip Stop doesn’t ship wines internationally, but they provide a link in the tasting notes for customers in the US and Mainland Europe.

 

5. GiveThemBeer’s Wine Advent Calendar

Tiny bottles need not apply. If one glass just isn’t enough — or maybe you want to share it with your significant other (if they’re on the nice list...or the naughty list, if you know what I mean) — GiveThemBeer’s Wine Advent Calendar might be for you.

 

Featuring 12 half-bottles of wine, ring in the holiday season with a mix of white, red, and sparkling wines.

 

Price:$169 ($14.08/bottle)

Pros:

• Half-bottles of wine
• Great for sharing
• Wines from well-known, large vineyards
• Casual yet festive box

Cons:

• Box looks like a case of beer (that might be a pro if that’s more your scene)
• Only 12 bottles
• $169 price point is also a little on the pricey side

 

Estimated to ship in late November, this adult advent calendar isavailable for pre-order on GiveThemBeer.com. GiveThemBeer will not restock this calendar. Once it’s gone...it’s gone.

 

My Top Pick is Drinjk Wine’s Luxury Wine Advent Calendar

Innovators in the wine industry, their patented single-serve wine bottle design is that perfect mix of approachable yet chic.

Just like that sweater you wore to the company Christmas party last year — well, that’s what they told you, anyway.

 

Caitlin "Kat" Gifford
Owner/Wellness Writer
caitlingifford.com
hello@caitlingifford.com