Wine gifts can be tricky, especially if you’re not familiar with the person you’re gifting to and if you’re not sure what their preferences are. But don’t worry, we’ve got your back! Here are some basic guidelines to help you navigate the wine gift world and make sure that your loved ones feel loved this holiday season and beyond.
Before picking out your wine, you need to know who you are buying it for
Is it a boss, a client, or an acquaintance? That will determine what you should look for when choosing a bottle. Here’s how to pick out a great bottle of wine no matter who you are buying it for. Gift cards can be really nice gifts; they don’t require as much thought as other presents, and there is something special about giving someone free money. However, there is one thing that really turns people off about gift cards—the fact that they aren’t very personal. If you want to give your friends and family a thoughtful present that won’t break your bank account, consider getting them a personalized gift card instead. A personalized gift card is just like any other gift card but with a little extra flare. You can add your own photo on it so that whoever receives it knows exactly who it came from, or you could even write them a note on their behalf using Photoshop or another image editing program.
Consider giving multiple bottles instead of a single large bottle
Wine is a great gift idea but, unless you know your recipient’s preferences well, it can be hard to know how much of a bottle they’ll really appreciate. By giving a single large bottle instead of two or three smaller bottles, you might be wasting money on wine they won’t even drink. The solution? Consider buying multiple bottles and packaging them together in a decorative box—that way, you can give a variety of wines without worrying about being too generous (or not generous enough). And if there are any leftovers after gifting day, don’t worry—they’ll keep for several months after opening!
If possible, let your recipient choose their own wine from store shelves
If you’re sending a bottle of wine as a gift, let your recipient have some fun picking out their own. Sure, it can be nice to let someone know what you think they’ll like, but if they have zero input in choosing their own bottle, there’s a chance they may not really enjoy it. And really, that would suck—you just spent all that money on wine and wanted them to drink it! Instead, let them pick out something they might actually want to consume. It will make your gift more meaningful (and less likely to end up collecting dust).
All red wines aren’t created equal
Depending on what kind of occasion you’re celebrating, you’ll want to choose a different type of wine. To help you pick out the right bottle, we’ve laid out all of your options below—and included some pairing suggestions for each. The good news is that most gift-giving occasions are covered in our line up below. From birthdays and anniversaries to office parties and holiday celebrations, there are plenty of reasons to open a bottle of wine. And don’t forget about Valentine’s Day! Whether you’re celebrating with friends or family, these wines will make any celebration special. Just keep in mind that while red wines pair well with many foods, they can clash with others; be sure to check out our Wine Pairing Guide if you have questions about which types of food go best with reds or whites.
Always wrap your bottle with quality packaging
In order to ensure that your bottle of wine looks great when it arrives at its destination, make sure you package it properly. The ideal material is a strong craft paper or other brown-coloured paper that’s free from any wrinkles or tears. Option for wrapping style known as French fold, which is when two pieces of paper are folded in half and rolled toward each other with a length of string or ribbon between them. You can also use decorative tape to secure both ends of your roll. Finally, add a label with clear instructions on how to open your gift! For more info about wine gifts and how to pick out just the right bottle for every occasion, check out our guide below!