8wines review

Where can I buy Austrian wine online? – 8wines review

As an avid wineblogger, I’m always on the lookout for platforms selling Austrian wine online.

Of course, 8wines doesn’t only sell Austrian wines. But it definitely has the largest offer in terms of Austrian wines AND delivers to all Europe (instead of Germany only for other online stores…)

So before we jump into the review, let me share with you my reasons for buying Austrian wines (especially if you’re new to the website. And by the way, welcome if you are!)

Why buy Austrian Wines?

Austrian wines are known for their unique character, which is often described as fresh, vibrant, and minerally. This is due to the country’s unique terroir and the meticulous work of Austrian winemakers.

Austria produces a wide variety of wines, from dry whites to full-bodied reds. Some of the most popular grape varieties include Grüner Veltliner, Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, Zweigelt, and Blaufränkisch.

Austrian wines are consistently awarded high praise from wine critics and competitions. This is a testament to the dedication of Austrian winemakers to producing high-quality wines.

And the two very best reasons (for me at least):

  • Austrian wines are often considered to be a good value for money. You can find excellent Austrian wines without breaking the bank.
  • Austrian winemakers are committed to sustainable practices. This is reflected in their use of organic and biodynamic viticulture methods.

Here are some specific examples of what you should be on the lookout if you’re new to wines:

  • Grüner Veltliner: This is Austria’s most famous wine grape, and for good reason. Grüner Veltliner wines are known for their spicy, peppery flavors, as well as their bright acidity. They are a versatile wine that can be enjoyed with a wide variety of dishes, from seafood to spicy Asian cuisine.
  • Riesling: Riesling is another important grape variety in Austria. Austrian Riesling wines are often dry and minerally, with a range of flavors from citrus and apple to peach and apricot. They are a great wine for pairing with lighter dishes, such as salads, fish, and poultry.
  • Zweigelt: Zweigelt is a red grape variety that is a cross between Blaufränkisch and St. Laurent. Zweigelt wines are typically medium-bodied and full of red fruit flavors, such as cherry, plum, and raspberry. They are a good choice for pairing with grilled meats, hearty stews, and rich cheeses.
  • Blaufränkisch: Blaufränkisch is Austria’s most important red grape variety. Blaufränkisch wines are full-bodied and tannic, with flavors of black cherry, plum, and blackberry. They are a great choice for cellaring and aging, and they can improve for many years.

If you are looking for a delicious, affordable, and sustainable wine, then you should definitely consider Austrian wines. There are many great options to choose from, so you are sure to find something to your taste.

>> Click here to get your (first?) Austrian wine! <<

Screenshot of 8wines presenting Austrian wines

Online retailer for all around the world : 8wines. Quick overview

8Wines is an online wine retailer that offers a wide selection of premium wines from around the world. They are known for their great prices, fast delivery, and excellent customer service.

It is headquartered in Prague, Czech Republic, and they ship their wines to all over the world.

shipping information

8Wines has a team of experts who hand-pick all of their wines, ensuring that only the highest quality wines make it to their shelves. They also offer a variety of tasting cases, which are a great way to try a variety of different wines from different regions.

Here are some of the benefits of shopping at 8Wines:

  • Wide selection of premium wines: 8Wines has one of the largest selections of premium wines online. They offer wines from over 60 different countries, including France, Italy, Spain, Germany, and Argentina.
  • Great prices: 8Wines is known for its great prices.
  • Fast delivery: 8Wines offers free shipping on orders over a certain threshold (which varies depending on where you live. You can find the information on their website in the footer menu “shipping information”). They also offer express shipping for an additional fee.
  • Excellent customer service: 8Wines has a team of friendly and knowledgeable customer service representatives who are always happy to help.

Overall, 8Wines is an excellent choice for anyone who is looking for a great selection of premium wines at unbeatable prices.

How does 8wines ensure quality?

8Wines ensures quality controlling wine selection, storage, and shipping.

1. Hand-picked Wine Selection

Their team of experienced wine experts personally selects each wine from vineyards and producers renowned for their meticulous winemaking practices.

These experts meticulously evaluate each wine based on its flavor profile, grape variety, and production techniques to ensure it aligns with 8Wines’ commitment to excellence.

2. Strict Quality Control Measures

Upon receiving wines from their suppliers, 8Wines subjects them to a stringent quality control process. Their team of wine experts meticulously inspects each bottle for any signs of damage, cork taint, or defects.

Any wines that fall below their high standards are promptly rejected or sent back to the producers for further evaluation.

3. Temperature-Controlled Storage

8Wines maintains a state-of-the-art temperature-controlled warehouse that provides the ideal environment for storing wines. The warehouse is kept at a constant temperature between 12 and 15°C (53 and 59°F), which helps preserve the wines’ delicate aromas and flavors.

This controlled environment ensures that the wines arrive at your doorstep in perfect condition.

4. Secure Shipping and Handling

8Wines utilizes specialized shipping crates and insulation materials to protect wines from external factors that could compromise their quality.

Each bottle is individually wrapped and placed in a secure crate that minimizes movement and shock during transit.

5. Express Delivery Options

For those seeking the utmost freshness, 8Wines offers express delivery options. These expedited shipments ensure that the wines arrive at their destination within a short timeframe, minimizing the time they spend out of their controlled environment.

Is 8wines user-friendly?

8Wines is generally considered to be an easy-to-use online wine retailer. Their website has a clean and intuitive design, and it is easy to find what you are looking for.

The search function is powerful and allows you to filter wines by country, region, grape variety, price, and other criteria. The website also has a helpful wine finder tool that can help you find wines that match your taste preferences.

Here are some specific examples of how 8Wines is user-friendly:

  • The website is responsive, so it can be used on both desktop computers and mobile devices.
  • The product pages provide detailed information about each wine, including a description, tasting notes, and food pairings.
  • The checkout process is straightforward and easy to use.
  • 8Wines offers a variety of payment options, including American Express, Visa, MasterCard, Maestro, Apple Pay, SEPA, and bank transfers. All credit card orders require 3DS authorisation.
  • 8Wines has a generous return policy, allowing customers to return unopened bottles for a full refund within 14 days of purchase.

Overall, 8Wines is a user-friendly online wine retailer that is a good option for both experienced and novice wine drinkers.

What wines does 8wines offer?

For the sake of this blog, I’ll focus on Austrian wines but feel free to go check out the others.

screenshot of all the wines 8wines has to offer

 

So if we focus on our Austrian wines, 8wines offer 50 choices (for now)…and quality choices.

One regret, it seems to be much focused on Niederösterreich. But perhaps this might change with time.

For instance, here are a few names you might recognise :

  • Knoll, one of the top producers of the Wachau. Knoll is dedicated to crafting wines of utmost quality. Employing traditional winemaking methods, he opts for spontaneous fermentation and ages the wine in sizable wooden barrels. Emphasizing the importance of patience, Knoll believes in letting his wines mature for several years before unveiling them to the world. This extended aging period allows the wines to unfold their complete complexity and realize their fullest potential.
  • Bernhard Ott from Wagram : Taking charge of the estate at the youthful age of 21 in 1995, Bernhard Ott instigated substantial transformations by transitioning to biodynamic practices and seeking the insights of Claude Bourguignon for soil examination. Ott’s array of Grüner Veltliner wines undergo fermentation and aging exclusively in steel tanks, with an emphasis on extended lees aging. Noteworthy is Ott’s distinctive Grüner Veltliner, inspired by Georgian winemaking traditions, where destemmed grapes ferment in amphorae and are sealed for a duration of five months.
  • Markus Huber from Traisental : In 1999, Markus Huber assumed control of the estate, which initially spanned a modest 5 hectares. Under his guidance, the vineyard has undergone substantial growth, now extending across 55 hectares and encompassing over a hundred individual plots. Huber employs a meticulous winemaking approach for his premium wines, ensuring minimal skin contact, fermentation in neutral Austrian acacia casks, and a lees-aging process lasting 9 months.
  • Birgit Eichinger from Kamptal : 70% of Grüner Veltliner. The specialty of the House is Roter Veltliner.
  • Domäne Wachau, one of the top producers of the Wachau. Frischengruber’s philosophy is mirrored in Domäne Wachau’s wines—innovative and thrilling, yet rooted in the rich traditions of Austrian winemaking.
  • Fritsch, from Wagram, who assumed ownership in 1999, converted his property to biodynamic farming in 2006, emphasizing reduced yields and meticulous vineyard work. Josef Fritz is renowned for his Roter Veltliner and Roter Traminer wines.
  • Schloss Gobelsburg from Kamptal. Schloss Gobelsburg, a historic estate dating back to the 1740s, stands as one of the region’s oldest. In 1996, a collaboration with Willi Bründlmayer and Michael Moosbruger led to the creation of renowned wines. Moosbruger’s innovative approach includes the use of 19th-century vinification methods for Grüner Veltliner and Riesling, steering clear of sedimentation and employing temperature control. This results in wines with an oxidative style and occasional residual sugar. Schloss Gobelsburg sets itself apart by producing Eiswein, Beerenauslese (BA), and Trockenbeerenauslese (TBA) wines from Grüner Veltliner or Riesling, a distinctive practice in comparison to most estates.

What is 8wines’s customer service like?

8Wines has a reputation for having excellent customer service. Their team of friendly and knowledgeable representatives are always happy to help with any questions or concerns you may have.

They can help you choose the right wines for your taste, answer your questions about the shipping process, and even suggest food pairings for your wines.

According to Trustedshops, 8Wines has an average rating of 4,89 out of 5 stars based on over 2600 reviews.

And if you have any question : simply complete the form in the “Contact Us” section and click “Send” to submit an enquiry. You can also reach 8wines using the chat in the lower-right corner of every page, as well as by phone and at [email protected]

Pros & cons

Positive Reviews:

  • Great selection of wines: 8wines.com is praised for its wide selection of wines from around the world. Many reviewers mention that they were able to find wines that they had been looking for, and that there were many options to choose from.
  • Good prices: 8wines.com is also generally considered to be a good value for money. Reviewers note that the prices are competitive, and that there are often discounts available.
  • Fast shipping: 8wines.com is also known for its fast shipping. Reviewers typically receive their orders within a few days of placing them.
  • Excellent customer service: 8wines.com has a reputation for excellent customer service. Reviewers praise the company’s helpful and friendly staff, and their willingness to go the extra mile to resolve any issues.
  • Credentials : Member of the Wine Merchants Association (WMA) and Accredited by the Institute of Masters of Wine (MW)

Negative Reviews:

  • Occasional shipping delays: While shipping is generally fast, there have been a few instances of delays. Reviewers note that these delays are typically minor, and that the company keeps them updated on the status of their orders.
  • Some issues with website: The 8wines.com website has been criticized for being a bit outdated and difficult to navigate. Some reviewers have also had issues with the checkout process. But this seems to have been resolved and the site is easy to navigate now.

Conclusion: 8wines review

In a nutshell, if you’re a wine lover seeking a fantastic variety at reasonable prices, 8wines.com is calling your name.

The reviews speak volumes about their impressive wine selection, pocket-friendly deals, and speedy delivery, all backed by a stellar customer service team that goes the extra mile.

Plus, they’ve got the wine world’s stamp of approval with memberships in the Wine Merchants Association (WMA) and accreditation from the Institute of Masters of Wine (MW).

While a few folks mentioned occasional shipping hiccups and a slightly tricky website in the past, it seems they’ve ironed out the kinks.

With the positive vibes from satisfied customers, why not give 8wines.com a swirl on your next wine adventure?

And don’t you love just the pink colour?

screen shot of 8wines.com

I earn a commission if you make a pruchase through my recommendations. The views in my reviews are entirely my own, and I don’t receive compensation for providing ratings. I provided unbiased information, well at least to the best of my abilities (being human and a huge believer in sustainability for environmental and health benefits and hence Austrian wine lover, I can only recommend you try). Feel free to check out other reviews and let me know what you think in the comments!

 

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Share via
Copy link