How to give wine as a gift.
December 10, 2023
This is not as easy as it sounds. If you are like most of us, you recognize the hardest part when shopping for a wine gift is knowing which wine to buy when you know the recipient likes wine – but not much more than that.
I bear witness to this challenge all the time. “I know they drink wine, pretty sure red. What should I get?” Or, “They know their wine, so I want to get something special.” In many cases, this might be all the information you have to go on. Since there is a seemingly endless sea of choices and price ranges, it can quickly become overwhelming. Keep in mind, wine is a wonderful choice as it is a consumable gift, so it’s not likely to be put on a shelf and quickly forgotten. Wine is social and is often shared and enjoyed in the spirit of the season. By following some simple guidelines you can increase the chances that your gift of wine will be a hit.
Recognizable and reliable – This would include wines from California like Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, Zinfandel or Chardonnay. I’d also include a Chianti from Italy, a New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc or a Malbec from Argentina into this category. Most wine drinkers will recognize these varietals and regions, so they are more likely to be familiar with what they are receiving.
Adventurous and unique – This may describe a more experienced wine drinker or one who you know would appreciate something slightly off the beaten path. White Burgundy, Sancerre, Bordeaux, Côtes du Rhône or a Rioja would be good options.
High-end and special – Top Napa Cabernets, Barolo, Amarone, Gevrey-Chambertin, or Chassagne-Montrachet will impress any seasoned wine drinker.
Organic, Biodynamic or Natural Wines– These classifications have become important to many wine drinkers and if this is important to you it is worth considering. Simply enter any of these words into the search bar on our website and all the wines we carry with these designations will be listed for you.
What about Price – For a wine gift, most people are looking to spend within three ranges. Under $25, $25-$50 and $50-$100+. To make it easy, we have created wine gift suggestions in each of these price ranges. You’ll find both reliable and unique options within these categories.
Check out the variety of our gift selections on our website:
Gift selections under $25
Gift selections for $25 - $50
Gift selections for $50 - $100
Whether you’re looking to give wine to a friend, family member or work colleague this holiday season, thinking about these criteria should help narrow down the myriad of choices to a few targeted options that’ll help get the right wine at the right price. Of course, we are happy to help in person at our shop in Stowe, over the phone or you can shop via our website where we can pack and ship the wines with just a couple of clicks!
Happy Holidays from Fine Wine Cellars.
