If you really want to spread holiday cheer this year, there are a few items you should consider. Read on to discover 6 important tips for gifting wine.
For many of us, wine is an integral part of spreading holiday cheer. Whether you’re sharing a bottle with friends, family, or your partner, there’s just something uniquely celebratory about a delicious glass of wine. However, when it comes to gifting wine, things can get a bit tricky. It’s one thing to share a bottle of wine with someone, but with more people practicing social distancing, this isn’t always an option.
That’s why gifting someone a bottle to enjoy when it suits them is both respectful and responsible. However, selecting that perfect bottle involves a deep understanding of their wine preferences. You want them to savor every sip, not hide the bottle away after sending the obligatory thank-you note.
To help in your search for that perfect bottle, we’ve put together a few items for you to consider. Keep reading for 5 important tips for gifting wine.
Snag Their Favorite Bottle of Wine
If the person you’re buying wine for has a clear favorite, there’s nothing wrong with snagging their preferred bottle! This is a great option if you’re new to the world of wine and don’t know the first thing about searching for “medium-bodied reds” or “crisp whites with balanced tannins.”
It also means you won’t have to spend too much time searching for something new, you know it’s something they already enjoy, and odds are good that they’ll appreciate having another bottle of their favorite wine around. The drawbacks of this wine gifting method really depend on their preferences.
If their favorite bottle is particularly rare, it may be hard to track down. It might also be more expensive than you anticipated. If that’s the case, you can always do a bit of research to find out about its flavors, body, and acidity. Take that information to a local winery and ask them for a recommendation that’s similar.
Not only is this a great way to still select a wine they’ll enjoy, but you’ll also be supporting a local business. Plus, you could end up finding a new favorite for them that’s much easier to get their hands on. It’s like two gifts in one!
Challenge Their Palate With Something New
If you’re well-informed about their food and wine preferences, you could go all out and select something new for them. Obviously, this wine gifting method really only works if you have a deep understanding of their palate.
For example, imagine that someone usually only drinks light-bodied white wines. If they also tend to enjoy hearty beef dishes, you could recommend a lighter red wine that would complement those dishes. You could even go so far as to create an entire evening of this gift. Include a recipe that you can cook together virtually and discuss how the wine complements the dish. Virtual happy hours are the safest way to enjoy wine and stay connected with loved ones.
This is a phenomenal option if you’re unable to participate in your traditional holiday gatherings. Not only will you be broadening their palate, but you also get to spend time together and make new memories.
Know Whether They Prefer Reds, Whites, or Rosé Wine
You don’t have to know a lot about wine to enjoy it. So, it’s possible that you and your giftee love drinking wine but don’t have a ton of preferences. It’s still likely, however, that they have a preference for reds, whites, or rosés.
There’s no shame in simply snagging a bottle of their preferred color. If the main reason you enjoy wine is getting to drink it with loved ones, then they’ll appreciate the gesture no matter what. You could even take it a step further, you can always ask your local winery for a recommendation.
For those of you who’ve opted to have your wine delivered right to your door (kudos!), you can even consult our recommendation guide. That way, if you know some of their favorite flavors, you can find a wine that already includes some of their preferred tastes.
Do They Prefer Sweet or Dry Wine?
This tip is pretty obvious, so we won’t spend too much time here. Obviously, if they only drink dry wines, you don’t want to get them a sugary dessert wine. Likewise, you probably don’t want to gift a mouth-puckering dry wine for someone who prefers sweeter wines.
If you’re not sure about their preferences in this category, you can always choose something in the middle of the road. Dry wines that are fruit-forward (like our Grand Noir) can provide berry flavors without the overwhelming sugar of some sweet wines.
Gift a Wine That’s Significant
This is a particularly thoughtful method of wine gifting. Whether it was an anniversary, birthday, or even a cherished vacation, we tend to remember the wine we’ve shared on special occasions. That’s why gifting those same bottles is so special.
Seeing that bottle will bring back all those wonderful memories, but it also lets them know you plan on making new memories in the future.
Gift Wine That Contributes To Their Healthy Lifestyle
While we tend to indulge a bit around the holidays, helping someone stay on track with their healthy lifestyle goals is a whole new level of gifting.
The holidays can be a minefield if you’re watching your carbs, calories, sugar intake, or even your alcohol intake. So, giving someone a bottle of wine that already fits into their lifestyle is the perfect way to say, “I see how hard you’re working and I want to support you!” Not only will they be touched by your thoughtfulness, but they’ll be encouraged to continue their healthy lifestyle throughout the holiday season.
Spread Holiday Cheer This Year by Gifting Wine!
We’re wishing everyone a safe, and happy holiday season. This year, we’re celebrating all the wonderful things we have to be grateful for–friends, family, delicious food, mouthwatering wine, and YOU. That’s right, we’re grateful for you.
We love creating low-carb wine with no residual sugars or toxins, and every bottle you purchase fills us with holiday cheer. None of this would be possible without all of you. So, from the bottom of our wine barrels, thank you!
Let us know in the comments how your wine gifting experiences are going, and don’t forget to follow us on Instagram for all the latest updates.