Finding the perfect gifts can be challenging, and even if picking up a few bottles at the wine shop seems like a simple solution for everyone in your life who enjoys a glass with a good meal, that comes with its own considerations. Red or white? How much should you spend? Should you buy a bottle or two or a case? You might be asking any number of questions—along with checking ratings and tasting notes—when trying to figure out what bottle is the bottle. But don’t be discouraged! We’re here to help. Our guide covers every aspect, whether your gifts are for the holidays, birthdays, weddings, anniversaries, Valentine's Day, house-warmings or just a simple “Thank you!”
Ask Yourself: Who Is This Gift For?
When buying a wine gift, the first step should always be to consider the recipient. Are you buying it for an experienced wine lover or for a wine newbie? (If they aren’t a fan of wine, you should probably try another gift entirely, no matter how much you love it.) If you don’t already know the recipient’s taste preferences, try to discreetly find out. Avoid red wines if they only drink white, or sweet wines if they prefer dry. The more information you have, the better chance you’ll have of hitting the nail on the head.
Note: Whether you’re buying a gift for a wine aficionado or someone less experienced, consider getting them a sparkling wine. After all, bubbly is already widely associated with celebrations and gifts.
What to Give Wine Newbies
Let’s say you’re buying a gift for someone just starting to explore wine. You may want to get them a wine on the aromatic side. Your recipient may not have built up their smelling and tasting skills yet, making subtler wines tougher to enjoy. A Sauvignon Blanc could be great for the job.
Not only is Sauvignon Blanc well-known and widely loved, but it can be packed with expressive and easy-to-identify aromas and flavors like lemon, lime, melon, peach, tropical fruits and fresh cut grass. Even better, many Sauvignon Blancs offer excellent value, with high quality even at prices under $20. Plus, they often have mouthwatering acidity, which will add another dimension to your recipient’s tasting experience.
Or go with another well-known grape, such as Pinot Noir. Like Sauvignon Blanc, these wines are loaded with expressive flavors, like berries and red and black cherries. And it’s possible to find more moderately priced versions from regions like Australia, Chile and New Zealand, so you don’t need to break the bank buying grand cru Burgundy.
What to Give Wine Aficionados
What if your recipient is well-versed in vino? Then it’s time to really consider what you know about them as a wine lover. Do they collect wine? Are they looking to expand their collection? Are there any regions or styles that they prefer or are particularly focused on? If you don’t already regularly chat about wine with them (and can’t simply ask a spouse or close friend or relative), pay attention next time you get together and ask them questions about what they’re drinking, or if you’re at their house, ask for a tour of their cellar to get them talking, without having to give away that you’re trying to come up with gift ideas.
If your recipient is a fan of a specific winery, consider buying them wine from that producer’s latest vintage, or from vintages that might be missing from their collection. Or help them round out their horizontal collection with a cuvée they don’t already have.
And if you’re buying a gift for the person who already “has every wine,” perhaps a bottle isn’t the way to go. Instead, you could always get them a handy wine gadget or elegant glassware to help them fully appreciate their collection.
What to Give Everyone in Between
If you don’t know much about what the recipient drinks (“she likes Cabernet”), try giving them a wine from somewhere they vacationed recently to bring back fond memories or from one of their wish-list destinations, to give them a taste introduction to the area. Do you know anything about their values? Do they enjoy art, buy organic food, eat vegan, shop Small Business Saturday, look for women- or minority-owned brands? You might need a little help from a retailer or to do some online research, but there are wines to tie into each of those things.
If all that stumps you too, how about sharing a favorite wine of yours, one meaningful to you? You can tell a story or enclose a note about what makes it special to you and why you thought they might also enjoy it.
What Wine to Give Your Romantic Partner
February brings one of the most popular moments for gifting wine: Valentine's Day. But there's no reason to be intimidated by the pressures of the day, at least not when it comes to finding the best wine. (Dinner reservations are another story.) Of course, you should start by focusing on the preferences of your boyfriend, girlfriend or spouse: white wine, red wine, rosé, sparkling, a particular grape or region? Do you want a wine the two of you can enjoy together now or one to save for a special moment later? And try topping off the gift with a heartwarming presentation, maybe placing it in a gift basket or adding pink ribbon.
For a romantic moment, you can almost never go wrong with Champagne. But there's no need to spring for a pricey prestige cuvée if it's not in your budget (if it is, we won't stop you!). Non-vintage Champagnes from the same well-known producers can provide excellent value while showcasing the house style. And many of the world's wine regions make excellent, more affordable sparkling wines, from U.S. bubblies made in the Champagne style to French crémants to Spanish cava to Italian Prosecco, Franciacorta and Trentodoc. If bubbly seems a bit too predictable, give it a bit of a twist with a brut rosé bottling. Or if your sweetie enjoys sweet wines, try this lovely surprise from Italy: Brachetto d'Aqui, a sparkling sweet red from Italy's Piedmont region—which pairs well with fresh berries, fruit tarts and chocolate desserts.
Considering that chocolate is among the most popular Valentine's gifts, you may want to give your partner some top-notch chocolates matched to a bottle of wine. (Make sure to check out Wine Spectator's guide to wine-and-chocolate pairing.) Some popular options include tawny Port and sweet Sherries.
Not fans of sweet wines? It's absolutely possible (and very tasty) to pair darker, less sweet chocolates with rich, full-bodied red wines packed with lush fruit flavors. Riper styles of Zinfandel, Merlot or Syrah could be great places to start.
Best Wines for Him or Her
Don't worry about finding the right wine in terms of "his" or "her" bottles. While particular wine styles have been associated with specific genders in the past, these notions are no longer relevant. After all, today's wine fans have a massive array of wines to enjoy; it would be a shame to limit themselves to just a few styles based on gender! So keep an open mind when picking the right bottle for the big day.
How Much Do I Spend on a Wine Gift?
As with all gifts, this is a tough question. And the answer depends largely on the occasion and how well you know the recipient. Major events like weddings could possibly demand a higher price tag. And birthdays could mean a more expensive wine than, say, a casual “thank you” gift. But it’s all relative: You may want to spend more on a thank-you gift if someone just helped you move into your new fifth-floor walk-up apartment. The main point is to gauge the situation and possible expectations of the recipient.
Of course, if they’re your nearest and dearest, close family or a longtime friend, you may want to splurge, unless you know that they prefer everyday, drink-now wines. Not everyone loves or appreciates expensive wines; sometimes they’ll just hold off drinking them indefinitely, waiting for “the right moment” that calls for a special wine. At the end of the day, we hope they remember that it’s the thought that counts, no matter the price.
Note: Be careful when buying an expensive wine for someone you don’t know that well. This can sometimes end up being a bit awkward; not everyone feels comfortable receiving a pricey gift from an acquaintance.
How Much Wine Do I Give as a Gift?
You really can’t go wrong with a single, thoughtfully chosen, high-quality bottle or two. And if that doesn’t feel like quite enough, you could always pair it with a food item, such as gourmet popcorn for a bottle of bubbly, artisanal cheese or charcuterie from the same region as the wine, or high-end dark chocolate with a bottle of Port. (Don't miss our guide on pairing wine with chocolate!)
But sometimes, volume says more than price, and several bottles of less expensive wine (maybe even a case) could mean more to someone than one expensive bottle. For example, if you’re buying wine for a newbie, a mixed case of different colors, grape varieties and wineries could offer them a helpful introduction to several styles and regions. Or try several wines from just one region or winery if you know that’s where your recipient is focusing their interest. Are you buying for someone who enjoys entertaining with wine, often throwing large parties? A half-case of a white, and a half-case of a red could be perfect to help them host their next gathering.
On the other hand, if the person prefers hosting intimate dinners or small wine-tasting groups with like-minded people, they might prefer a single showpiece wine from a famous producer. A collector may better appreciate a rarity that helps them flesh out their cellar.
Is the gift for several people? Try buying a large-format bottle, such as a magnum or jeroboam, which feels extra-special.
Note: Many wine retailers will offer a discount on cases, whether they’re all the same wine or a mix of different wines. (This doesn’t always apply to Champagne.)
How to Gift Wrap Wine
Wrapping a gift gives it that extra bit of flair, and that's as true for a bottle of wine as it is for any other present. But wrapping a bottle well can take a bit of know-how. After all, wine bottles aren't box-shaped, and some are very distinctively shaped and potentially difficult to wrap. Don't fret! You absolutely can wrap bottles with a few quick tips. Watch our video below for a visual guide to three creative approaches. (Alternatively, you could place the bottle in a special box, gift bag or attractive reusable tote with tissue paper and a bit of ribbon.)
Should I Add Wine Accessories to the Gift?
You may feel that a bottle of wine, on its own, is not quite enough of a gift in some situations. In that case, other great presents you could give along with the bottle include: Corkscrews and other openers, wine glasses, decanters, wine chillers, wine preservers, wine-focused books and cookbooks (for food pairings), to name just a few. (For specific ideas, 14 wine pros told us what gifts they would like to give and receive.) Wine tools and books could be particularly helpful presents to encourage a newer wine fan in their explorations.
Avoiding Wine Gift Faux Pas
We hope that the tips above will help you home in on the best gifts possible. Unfortunately, you might still run into other issues.
First, if you’re bringing a host gift to a party, do not expect your wine to be opened then and there. It’s their gift to enjoy at a time of their choosing, not something for you to enjoy while you socialize. And if they don’t open your bottle, then absolutely under no circumstances should you ask to take the bottle back.
To avoid any awkwardness with the host being confused about your intent, you might graciously say as you hand over the bottle, “This is for you to enjoy later.” And if you do want to bring something to drink right then, clear it with the host first and make sure it will match up with what they are serving; they may have already carefully chosen wines to match the meal. If it’s a more casual cocktail party, you could bring two bottles—one as a gift for the host and one to share with other guests.
If your host does open your bottle and it happens to be corked or tasting off, try not to be too fazed. Unfortunately, it happens. Corked bottles are just an eventuality that wine drinkers must accept. But then, should you buy your host another bottle if the one you gifted was corked? Your host should also accept that TCA is out of everyone’s control and mature bottles can be inconsistent or flawed, but if you’re feeling especially generous, you could always pick them up another wine at a later time.
Note: If you’re really worried about this, you could buy a wine with a twist-off closure to avoid the problem in the first place. Even high-end wines are sporting screw caps these days!
Great Wines to Give for Holidays, Milestones and Other Special Occasions
Finding the Right Wines to Give on Mother’s Day and Father’s Day
Wine can be an excellent way to treat the mothers and fathers in your life (especially when paired with a nice gift basket of other items). As always, the basic rules apply: Consider their wine preferences and experience, and work from there. (Also, avoid any outdated preconceptions of what moms and dads should like.)
Since Mother’s Day and Father’s Day are celebrated in warmer times of the year in the United States, these brunches offer an opportunity to explore white, lighter red and rosé options to match the season.
Unlike some other festive occasions, Mother’s Day and Father’s Day can feature smaller, more intimate meals that present an opportunity to carefully pair wine with food. You may even be the one designing the meal! In these cases, you could treat everyone by choosing special wines that will work well with one or more courses of the holiday meal. If there are multiple mothers and fathers at your celebrations, you could even go for a large-format bottle so that there’s plenty of gift wine to go around.
But any time you present a wine as a gift, especially if it’s wrapped, don’t count on it being opened during the occasion. As we've established, a gifted wine is the recipient’s to do with as they like. And if there are new parents at the party, consider that they may not be able to enjoy wine at this time, given the conditions of, well, being new parents! Whether they are nursing, trying to be at their sharpest to keep an eye on their kids or simply too fatigued for alcohol, gift them something that will hold up well for at least a couple years so they can choose the right moment to indulge in your thoughtful gift.
Choosing a Special Wine to Give as a Graduation Gift
One of the most notable events a person celebrates in their life is their graduation from college (or “university,” for those so inclined), graduate school, a PhD program or any other adult education program. Wine can make an excellent gift for a fresh graduate, a symbolic way to mark their transition to full adulthood or the start of a new career. (Note: If it’s a college graduation, just make sure the recipient has reached legal drinking age first.)
What type of wine should you buy a graduate—especially one who may not yet have developed much wine experience, along with their palate or preferences? First, decide if you intend the wine to be opened now as part of the celebrations, to help educate them about wine or to be saved to enjoy later in life. (Then be sure to convey that in a note in your congratulations card.)
For celebrating, consider a sparkling wine—the traditional choice for big occasions and one that just about everyone will appreciate, even if they are not yet wine lovers. (However, we cannot in good conscience recommend spraying the graduate with said sparkling wine. And if you plan on opening the wine immediately, please make sure that you are in an appropriate place to do so. Whether inside or outdoors, not all universities allow drinking on premises.) For consistently high quality, you can rely on non-vintage Champagnes from well-known houses like Veuve Clicquot and Louis Roederer, as well as Cava and Prosecco from leading wineries like Juvé y Camps and Nino Franco, among other options.
To get a graduate excited about the world of wine, start with some of the classics—wines that will make an impression and are representative of a specific region, style or grape variety, but are enjoyable to drink now. Generally ready to drink upon release (and at reasonable prices), Côtes de Bordeaux and Haut-Médoc wines would work well here, as would cru Beaujolais, Rosso di Montalcino, Nebbiolo Langhe or Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa and Sonoma (or from farther afield in California, in regions where prices are traditionally lower overall). Or try a sweeter wine, which may be more accessible for the less experienced: kabinett German Riesling, a late-harvest bottling or even Sauternes or Barsac from Bordeaux, for instance.
Alternatively, pick a wine with links to the graduate’s degree or activities. Were they on a sports team? Try a bottle from a winery owned by an athlete, like football’s Sidney Rice or basketball’s Tony Parker. Did they study history? Go for a wine inspired by history. Medicine? Choose a bottle made by a former doctor. Fine art, architecture, theater? Fun, creative options and captivating labels abound.
Gifting a Wine to Age, or Gifting an Aged Wine
What if you’d like to give a bottle of wine to set aside and age? It might be nice for the graduate to have a bottle to open up in the future as they look back at the special day they earned their diploma (or commission, certificate, knighthood …). Maybe a vintage Champagne that can age for a few years?
If not a sparkling wine, look to other categories known for their aging abilities, such as Bordeaux, Brunello di Montalcino, Barolo and Vintage Port. Wine Spectator tasting notes always feature a recommendation for when to open your wine—the “drinking window” during which a wine is expected to be at its most enjoyable—which comes in handy here. Also be mindful of which vintage you are considering; our vintage charts tell you a harvest year’s overall quality, character and aging potential.
Should you buy a wine from the same year as the one during which the graduate graduated? That could be difficult: In the Northern Hemisphere, the typical graduation season comes months before the harvest, so you’d have to turn to early-release wines from the Southern Hemisphere, such as Sauvignon Blanc. (December graduations open up more options!) And many wines with long-term aging potential will not be released until a few years after their vintage year. In short: If a graduation takes places in 2024, you won’t find any 2024 Brunello until at least 2026, if not later.
What about a wine from the graduate’s birth year instead? That can make a particularly special gift—but older vintages may be harder to find and potentially more expensive (assuming the wine is able to age well in the first place). Along with the aforementioned age-worthy wines, other wines that can last or even improve over two decades range from concentrated reds like Amarone to vibrant, long-lived whites such as German or Austrian Riesling from wineries with a track record for quality.
A note of caution: Aged bottles develop distinctive flavors and characteristics that not all people are used to or enjoy. So if you”re going to put the effort into seeking out a birth-year or other milestone wine, make sure the recipient has an adventurous palate.
