Good Pair Days review: a personalised wine experience worth subscribing to
Are you a budding connoisseur or wine novice? Whatever your experience with choosing wine, we have the wine service for you.
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If you’ve lived through this year, you deserve to treat yourself – and if you’re anything like the Shopping team here at Best Of, that treat is preferably a glass of wine or two.
Enter: Good Pair Days, a personalised wine subscription box that will deliver three expert-selected bottles – at a budget of your choosing – to your front door.
What’s more, Good Pair Days is getting into the Christmas spirit this month, taking $20 off everyone’s first monthly box and throwing in free shipping (and a corkscrew) for good measure.
Naturally, when the opportunity came up to try the service, two members of our team – a rookie and a wine enthusiast – jumped at the opportunity. Here’s how it went.
FIRST STEP? A PERSONALISED QUIZ
The experience starts with an interactive quiz to uncover your specific tastes. After designating your level of wine knowledge, what follows are a series of questions, like, “Assuming you’d never gain a kilo, if you could only eat one of these chocolates for the rest of your life, which would it be?” and “It’s Sunday, you’re at your favourite brekky spot, you’re already caffeinated, but now need a little something to sip on. Do you go for?”
Certainly not the least bit intimidating or complicated, even for the most novice among us.
Then, after designating a budget and indicating how many reds, whites, rosés and sparklings you’re after, you simply pop in your details and wait for your first box to arrive.
EXPERIENCE ONE
Mariela Summerhays. Grape rookie, introvert and white wine drinker.
I end as many days as I can with a glass of wine and good book. The only problem? Though the book changes often, the wine is always same – the same budget white that I pick up from the supermarket every grocery run.
I’ve been meaning to venture out of my comfort zone for a while now, but have been turned off by the idea of sampling individual bottles and disliking what I taste, wasting money that could’ve otherwise been spent on a couple of bottles of my old familiar.
The Good Pair Days Wine Tastes Quiz though? Genius. I loved knowing that the box I would receive was based on my particular tastes – everything from my favourite fruits to morning beverage – and that I could opt for all whites. I’m trying to expand my tastes, but not that much just yet. Plus, with price points as low as $15 a bottle, it’s not a treat you have to feel bad for giving yourself.
If you care about presentation as I do, this box and all accompanying materials (tasting notes, matching recipes and all) are a dream, making it an ideal Christmas present for a loved one.
All in all, a brilliant experience. Absolutely would recommend to any one else who likes to end their day on the couch, wine in hand.
THE WINES
Chenin Blanc 2019, Ashton Winery, $15
Robertson, South Africa
Yeah, so this was right up my alley. Crisp and light, its tasting notes include green apples, delicate white flowers, passionfruit and lime. The complementary recipe card suggests you might pair it with seafood and vegetables cooked with lemon … but I preferred the alternative suggestion of sipping on a glass with a serving of creamy goats’ cheese.
Chenin/Viognier 2020, Fruit Orchestra, $15
Worcester, South Africa
The second chenin blanc in my box, I could tell the discernible difference in body from the Ashton Winery bottle (learning more about wine already!). With stone fruit flavours like apricot and white peach, finished with notes of honeysuckle and almond, this one was different enough from my usual wine that I felt I was experiencing something new – but still dry, and in the realm of my preference.
Sauvignon Blanc 2017, Manyara, $15
Adelaide Hills, Australia
This was a bit special. Acidic and light, but rounded out by its curious mix of grass(!), capsicum and basil stem, I loved being introduced to this wine. Fruits included lime, white peach, gooseberry and green mango – with some meadow flowers to boot. A bloody delight, to be frank, I want it in bulk.
EXPERIENCE TWO
Jessica Wang. Budding connoisseur, dinner host and red wine loyalist.
If you’ve always wanted to be the type of person who can differentiate between a pinot noir and a Shiraz or has the wine vocab to explain the concept of tannins, a Good Pair Days box will have you knowing more about wine in the most fun way possible … that is, by drinking it. (Responsibly, of course)
Doing the quiz I loved that it was a lighthearted and fun way to talk about wine, without the intimidation or snobbery. They asked questions that gauge what notes you might enjoy in wine, whether you prefer lighter or more full-bodied mixes and whether you want your box of wines to consist of red, white, sparkling or a combination of the three.
What you end up with is a selection of three wines that’s been tailored to your tastes. The box also comes with accompanying wine cards with handy prompts, suggested recipes and food pairings and tasting notes. For wannabe wine nerds, this means you can actually read up on the actual details of a Cab Sav (full-bodied, dark fruit tones and strong tannins) and understand what you’re tasting.
It’s also a great option for those who love entertaining – or want to prepare for the festive season – the three bottles make for an easy DIY wine tasting. Simply pour the wine, give it a swirl and sniff – channelling your inner Nigella – and go around the room announcing which notes you *think* you can taste, with more authority and conviction than you probably have. This is OK because one: you have the Good Pair Days card to tell you if you’re right or wrong and really there is no right or wrong … just yummy wine.
THE WINES
Sparkling NV, Mitchelton ‘Victoria Series,’ $15
Goulburn Valley, Australia
An easy crowd pleaser, this is the bottle you open as your guests arrive, popping the bottle to the sound of compliments on your hosting skills. It’s easily drinkable, a little fruity (the tasting notes state nashi pear, lemon and white grapefruit) and would pair perfectly with something salty, crunchy and more-ish. Think: fried chicken, olives, fritters or a bag (or two) of sea salt chips.
Pinot Noir 2018, Mount Rozier ‘House Martin,’ $15
Western Cape, South Africa
A red even non-red wine drinkers would like, this pinot noir was dry, spicy and fruity but still light and very drinkable. The tasting card said there were notes of raspberry, red cherry and ripe strawberries which were surprisingly discernible in each sip. The bottle would also make a delicious sangria too. Just add it to some muddled oranges, apples, brown sugar, cinnamon and orange juice and spike it with an extra hit of brand (or rum) because it’s summer and you made it through 2020.
Cabernet Sauvignon 2016, Toorak Road, $15
Gundagai, Australia
This bottle was the favourite and one I would buy in bulk. It’s full bodied, filled with delicious berry notes and oaky and woody flavours. It also comes with the typical drying tannin sensation you get with the Cab Sav and would be as yummy to have by the glass after work or paired with something rich and savoury. Personally I went for some ricotta and mushroom ravioli, mixed with a tomato sauce and sharp parmesan, but a hearty bolognese, or steak would also be excellent.
THE VERDICT? A SUBSCRIPTION WORTH SIGNING UP FOR
If you’re looking for a wine subscription service that will save you money, this probably isn’t what you’re looking for. Truly, you might be better off picking up your usual case in bulk at the local bottle-o whenever there’s a sale on.
But for those looking to experiment and discover new flavours – at a price range of their choosing; or if you are a dinner host looking for a fun experience to share with friends (not to mention perfect wine and meal pairings to boot), then Good Pair Days is for you.
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN RED AND WHITE WINE?
The biggest difference between red and white wine, is that the former is made from red grapes, whereas the latter is made from white grapes. Beyond that, the difference lies in the production process – red wines are fermented with grape skins and seeds, while white variations – with few exceptions – are not.
WHAT IS AN ORANGE WINE?
Neither a red or even strictly a white, orange wines have been popping up on menus in restaurants in recent years. The difference between an orange wine and a white, is that while the latter has skins and seeds removed prior to the fermenting process, orange wine goes through the fermenting process with skin and seeds still attached.
Want more of our pick for wine lovers? Read about delicious. magazine’s wine bundle that pairs perfectly with seafood, and discover more wine boxes that are perfect to gift for Christmas.
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