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The Best Wine Gifts, According to Editors and Wine Experts

These are our favorite toys, bottles, and gadgets for any wine lover.

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The Best Wine Gifts
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Food & Wine / Food52

Wine lovers are notoriously hard to shop for, as most have strong opinions about everything from regions to vintages to varietals. Finding an impressive yet useful wine gift can be challenging, but it's certainly not impossible. In fact, plenty of wine gifts out there are versatile enough to please any wine lover. To help you find the perfect present, we rounded up the best wine gifts our editors can't wait to give to their loved ones. We also spoke to leading experts in the wine industry to get their insights into the best bottles, glasses, and accessories. Whether you're looking for a hostess gift to bring to your next dinner party or an excellent bottle to celebrate a special day, there's something here for everyone.

If you're unsure what kind of wine someone likes, it's best to give an all-purpose present that will please various palates. Fun glassware or a decorative decanter is a great place to start, but there are also some high-quality bottles from trusted producers that are guaranteed to impress. Whichever route you take, don't let the hefty price tag of some special occasion bottles distract you. "Price point isn't important when shopping for a wine lover," says Haley Moore, sommelier and CEO of Acquire, a San Francisco-based luxury hospitality company. "There are so many great options at a variety of price points. No matter what type of wine drinker you're shopping for, these are the best wine gifts to please any wine lover.

A set of all-purpose wine glasses is a timeless gift that any experienced wine drinker will appreciate. This classic option is suitable for red and white wine and is a great value for a set of two. They're sturdy and dainty at the same time, with a durable construction and elegant finish.

Let's be honest: Wine tasting can get a little stuffy. These impossibly chic wine glasses add the fun and funky flair that traditional sets are missing. Available in 12 color options, each 6-piece wine glass set is durable and hand-blown. With a generous bowl and dainty stem, they combine form and function for a gorgeous accent piece. Bring them to your next dinner party as a hostess gift, or treat your favorite newlyweds to the showstopping set.

Bar carts are the perfect piece of decor to add to any wine lover's home. They provide a functional way to store glasses, openers, and decanters, and they're also a chic way to display a few of your favorite bottles. Our editors love this stylish option to hold six glasses with two shelves to store glasses, bottles, and even an ice bucket. The console sits securely on four feet as a decorative, permanent feature in your dining or living room.

Stemless wine glasses are the perfect option for wine lovers with busy, active households. They're a great way to enjoy delicious wine without the threat of kids or pets knocking over the glass. Although a more casual option than traditional stemware, this set of stemless glasses is classic, elegant, and elevated. Our editors love them so much that these glasses won a top spot in our Best Stemless Wine Glasses list.

Penner-Ash hails from the Willamette Valley in Oregon, where winemaker Kate Ayres makes bold Pinot Noir uniquely expressive of the region's terroir. This giftable bottle is structured with gentle tannins, and the black cherry and raspberry chocolate truffle notes are punctuated with a long finish. It’s the perfect Pinot Noir for wine lovers looking to explore a high-quality bottle from a world-class region.

Ice buckets are for more than just restaurants. They're a great way to add some style to your dinner table. They're also perfectly functional, keeping wine cold and eliminating the need to run to the refrigerator whenever you want a refill. Perfect for a dinner party, this oval-shaped metal bucket has a sleek handle and lid for convenient carrying. Of all the ice buckets our editors have tried, this one is the best for bringing to a party. It’s the ultimate thing to bring to a holiday party as a creative host or hostess gift.

Led by a powerhouse mother-daughter team, Marina Cvetic and Miriam Masciarelli, the Masciarelli portfolio of wines brings a spotlight to Abruzzo and its diverse and vibrant viticulture. The groundbreaking family's focus on innovation has resulted in world-renowned wines. This elegant bottle of Montepulciano will wow any wine lover with its spicy notes of black pepper, licorice, and cocoa, balanced with hints of dried fruit.

Drizzle a taste of Tuscany directly onto your plate with this delicious extra-virgin olive oil. The Frescobaldi family has been producing wine for centuries, and their name is synonymous with Tuscan viticulture. Bright emerald green in color with a robust, bold flavor, this oil is made from olives cultivated on one of the Frescobaldi family's diverse properties.

Nothing is more celebratory than Champagne, and these elegant glasses are the perfect way to enjoy it. Elegant and stylish, these sleek glasses have a unique shape to accentuate the flavors and aromas of the Champagne within. We love how the generous bowl helps the drink open up while the tapered lip helps keep the bubbles in the glass. 

A Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon is guaranteed to please any serious wine drinker. This special-occasion bottle hails from a prestigious vineyard and is richly complex, with notes of black plum and dried herbs complemented by toasted oak, tobacco, and spice. Structured with delicate tannins, it boasts a long, silky finish. Ideal for pairing with short ribs, steak, or roast beef, it's the perfect bottle for any special dinner.

Moore says that if you're looking for a crowd-pleasing wine to choose when you don't know what to get someone, you can't go wrong with Champagne. This intensely fruity rosé is crisp and clean, and it's just as good for toasting as it is for pairing with an entree. Laurent Perrier has been world-renowned for its quality for over 40 years, and any wine lover will welcome a bottle as a gift.

A food-friendly Chardonnay is a welcome gift at any dinner party, and this full-bodied bottle from Gary Farrell is a crowd-pleaser. Perfect for pairing with fish, shellfish, chicken, or pasta, it's a great meal accompaniment that works any time of year. Even folks who aren't typically fans of Chardonnay will appreciate the juicy acidity balanced with a creamy texture.

People might say they don’t like sweet wine, but that’s only because they’ve never had good sweet wine. Dolce’s line of “liquid gold” strikes the perfect balance of sweetness and acidity, so it’s a complex bottle that pairs perfectly with a special meal. It’s a gorgeous special-occasion bottle that tastes as luxurious as it looks. Bring it to your next dinner party as an after-dinner treat. 

No matter which type of wine you're drinking, cheese is the ultimate pairing. Nothing goes together better than wine and a slice of cheese, and this gift basket from Murray's will surely please all kinds of wine lovers. Featuring a collection of Italian indulgences like spicy Gorgonzola, prosciutto, Taleggio, and more, it's an easy way to send a thoughtful and delicious gift. If Italian cheeses aren't for you, Murray's has a variety of other offerings on its site — including American, French, and other cheeses from around the world.

"One of my great loves is cheese, so of course I can't recommend it enough for gifting. It's versatile, easily enjoyed on its own, complements a meal, and there are options for those that follow vegan and plant-based diets. What I like best is that there is always so much room for discovery," said La Crema Winery chef de cuisine Tracey Shepos Cenami.

Wine clubs are a fun, adventurous way to give and get wine. Depending on your chosen club, wines are expertly selected each month and sent on a subscription basis. Somm Select has options to choose from four or six sommelier-selected bottles per month shipped directly to your home, along with tasting notes. The high-quality and artisanal selection helps new and experienced wine drinkers expand their palate.

For wine drinkers who want to enhance their blind tasting skills, black wine glasses are a great way to do it. This set of four crystal glasses is the perfect way to host a wine-tasting party at home. "These are always fun when tasting with friends," said La Crema Winery's Fine Wine Expert, Ben Fine. "If you're new to wine, it's a great learning tool, but it's also a humbling tool for those who think they really know wine."

"A wine aroma wheel is perfect for those starting out who want to improve their skills at examining wine," said Fine. "It's also lightweight, affordable, and can fit anywhere — which makes it easy to gift." This set of two aroma wheels is a great tasting companion to help you develop and identify different tastes and smells. It features over 100 unique tasting notes like thyme, red plum, and coffee, making this a fantastic way to help new tasters practice.

Wine decanters make the perfect gift because they're just as much a functional gadget as a decorative piece of art. This option from Made In has a simple design with a wide base that allows maximum air exposure in a brief time. It’s designed to have a smaller footprint than most, making it an excellent option for smaller cabinets or tabletops. The angled neck makes it easy to grasp and even easier to pour. 

This world-renowned Chilean blend is an impressive bottle to bring to any special occasion. It’s complex and distinctively fresh, with fruity, herbal, and peppery expressions on the nose. Made up of Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Carmenere, and petit verdot, it’s a high-quality bottle that will please any classic Bordeaux lover. 

Decanters are gorgeous and functional, but thanks to their unique shape, they can be a hassle to clean. Any serious wine lover will appreciate an easier solution, making these decanter-cleaning beads a great gift idea. Simply pour the stainless steel beads into an empty decanter and add a bit of water. Swirl them around the base, and the steel pellets will roll over and remove hard-to-reach wine stains. Rinse and re-use as often as you like.

Out of all the corkscrews our team has tested, this Pulltap version is the best. It's sturdy and durable, so the easy-to-pull mechanism easily removes corks. We love that it comes with a serrated foil cutter, and the controlled hinge makes removing stuck-in corks smooth and easy. It’s thin and lightweight, making an easy stocking stuffer for your favorite wine lover or a nice addition to a wine gift basket.

An insulated wine bag is a fantastic all-purpose idea for the wine lover. Any wine drinker will benefit from this convenient and stylish storage solution. Perfect for on-the-go wine picnics, the waxed cotton canvas bag is insulated to keep wine cold and fresh. The two-bottle bag has a corkscrew, a cheese knife, and an acacia wood board. Leather straps make it durable and sturdy.

Glassware is one of those things you can never have enough of—with so many shapes, varieties, and colors to choose from, it’s fun to switch it up occasionally, especially for a party or special celebration. This set of two borosilicate glass cups suits cocktails, wine, beer, or even water. Available in four colors, they’re a fun way to add a little personality to your bar cart. 

Made out of semi-lead crystal in blue or gray, this carafe adds a bit of sparkle to any holiday table. The included tumbler doubles as a chic nightstand or home office accessory. 

These handcrafted wine chillers are made from durable, 100% natural marble, providing unbeatable insulation for cool wines. It’s a fantastic way to keep chilled wines at the right temperature without worrying about melting ice in an ice bucket. Better yet, the marble protects wood surfaces from the condensation that typically follows chilled wines. 

There’s something ineffably elegant about drinking fizz out of a coupe. And though these glasses are often used to hold cocktails, they’re even better for cheersing a glass of champagne. We found these glasses to be the best coupes for drinking a special bottle of bubbly because they’re made of delicate crystal with an elegant and stylish shape. 

Champagne can be notoriously hard to save because bubbles escape quickly and easily the minute a bottle is popped open. After searching for a better solution, we found that this crown sealer does an exceptional job keeping open sparkling wine fresh, even days later. The cap provides an airtight seal thanks to a switch-style valve that completely locks in carbonation. 

2015 F&W Best New Chef Jonathan Brooks of Indianapolis restaurants Milktooth and Beholder suggests bringing a porró as a gift for the hosts of your next holiday party. Traditionally used as a decanter for Spanish wines, the porró aerates wine as it pours through its narrow glass opening — decant wine with it during dinner, then channel the festive atmosphere of Spanish wine bars and sip wine from it directly as it pours.

A beautiful bottle of bubbly is always a welcome gift around the holidays, and this is a show-stopping bottle, no matter the occasion. A blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Meunier, and Pinot Noir, it offers a radiant color with gentle, smooth bubbles. Flavors of red berries and citrus zest accent the creamy texture, offering a perfectly balanced bottle that any host or hostess will appreciate. 

“RAW Wine is one of my favorite events each year, and I always go home having discovered a handful of new winemakers. The club channels that sense of discovery and excitement into an annual affair, and each bottle is handpicked by the fair's founder, Isabelle Legeron.” — Oset Babür-Winter, Senior Drinks Editor

Nothing goes together like wine and cheese, so any wine lover needs to have a stylish cheese or charcuterie board, too. This option from Crate & Barrel is one of our editors’ favorites because it’s made from grained acacia wood that is warm in color and finely grained. It’s chic, rustic, and versatile to hold your favorite cheese, charcuterie, fruits, nuts, and more. This sleek and simple gift can be dressed up with a specialty box of crackers or chocolate. 

A set of delicate wine glasses makes tasting and serving wine feel extra fancy. Riedel is the industry standard for high-quality wine glasses; this set from the brand’s Veloce line is no different. The large bowl and delicate stem are expertly proportioned to highlight the distinct features of Cabernet and Merlot. Handcrafted from lead-free German crystal, each glass is dishwasher-safe for easy clean-up. 

Wine decanters are incredibly versatile, making the perfect gift for any wine lover, regardless of personal taste or wine preference. Kurt Josef Zalto makes some of the finest glassware available, and this chic decanter is elegant and timeless. It’s lightweight and ergonomically shaped, making it easy to pour with one hand. The specific design ensures a spiral pour that effortlessly aerates the wine with oxygen.

This exquisitely balanced Chardonnay is rich with aromas of lemon and citrus and leaves a pleasant salinity on the palate. It’s clean, bright, and crisp, which makes it perfect for white wine drinkers who aren’t fond of traditionally oaky Chardonnay. It’s distinctive yet approachable, which means it’s a great gift that will please various palates and make the perfect host or hostess gift. 

This rich and structured pinot noir is a blend of grapes from three different appellations within the Willamette Valley, which helps it achieve a wide variety of flavors. It’s fruity and spicy, with a firm texture and medium finish. The bottle is strikingly rich and vibrant, so it’s ideal for pairing with anything from meat to fish to cheese and charcuterie. 

Storing wine at a safe temperature is paramount to maintaining its quality. This sleek and chic wine refrigerator holds up to 32 bottles horizontally, with scalloped wire racks that hold wine in place. During our testing process, we found that it operated quietly while holding an exceptionally consistent temperature. This sleek machine is perfect for anyone looking to protect their wine collection from temperature fluctuation.

Drinking wine outside is one of life’s greatest pleasures, but picnics are prime for spilled bottles and knocked-over glasses. This genius table keeps your wine glasses and bottles safe and sturdy. Equipped with a spike at the bottom and a hinged tabletop, this portable table just needs to be stuck into the ground and extended so the table sits flat. Once assembled, you can conveniently hold a bottle of wine and two glasses. It’s perfect for a picnic at the park or a day at the beach. 

The Finger Lakes is known for riesling, but Hillock & Hobbs Mosel-style riesling sets the newly-launched vineyard apart from other New York-based growers. Legendary international winemaker Paul Hobbs sought to create world-class riesling in the Finger Lakes, and he’s succeeded with this bottle from Seneca Lake. It’s crisp, elegant, and brightly acidic, with a lingering minerality that makes it perfectly sippable any time of year. 

Refreshingly crisp and complex, this Oregon-based sparkling rosé is reminiscent of Champagne's vibrant and delicate wines. It’s bursting with flavors of red fruit — like raspberry and strawberry — with a delicate minerality and long-lasting finish. This wine is perfect for special occasions and makes toasting feel more elegant, fun, and celebratory. Sip it all alone, or pair it with grilled salmon or crab cakes. 

This medium-bodied white wine offers a satiny texture and a weighty mouthfeel, perfect for pairing with cozy fall foods. A burst of freshness matches honeyed fruits while aromas of hay, apples, and beeswax waft on the nose. The complex blend of warm flavors with bright, fresh acidity makes it a fantastic white wine to drink as the temperatures drop. 

We all know that wine pairings can get stuffy. Sometimes, it’s nice to have recommendations geared toward pairing wine with everyday foods — like hamburgers, french fries, and popcorn. That’s where this book comes in. It’s a fun and approachable guide to pairing wine with unfancy, unfussy foods. Though you might not necessarily think of pairing Cheetos with Sancerre, this book will walk you through the elemental factors that make unlikely pairings surprisingly delicious. 

These chillable coasters are the perfect gift if you’re a white wine drinker who can’t keep their wine cold enough. Why water down your perfectly flavorful wine with ice cubes when there’s a better, more efficient way to chill it? This set of two granite coasters is designed to cool down in the freezer. The accompanying glasses fit perfectly into each divot, and the cold granite hugs the glass, giving the wine a colder temperature without needing ice cubes. 

Say goodbye to plastic cups — these portable glasses make it easier to enjoy wines on the go. Whether at the beach, a backyard barbecue, or a park picnic, having a sturdy tumbler resistant to spilling and breaking is essential. Available in eight colors, these cups are made of stainless steel with a ceramic interior, so they’re resistant to staining and don’t absorb flavors. 

If you’re looking for a classic bottle of high-quality sparkling wine or champagne, you can’t go wrong with this long-standing favorite. Notably golden in color, this wine offers a zesty first impression that gives way to a gentle texture and a long finish. It’s a fantastic gift for any wine lover looking to add a timeless classic to their collection. 

When you don’t have time to fix an extensive cheese board, these specialty wine chips are a great alternative. With flavors like Smoked Gouda, Manchego, and Asiago, these chips are the perfect snack to pair with a delicious bottle of wine. Bring them to your next holiday party, and your host or hostess will thank you for the easy, unfussy snack. 

An insulated wine bag is a great way to keep bottles cool while on the go. They’re perfect for those friends who like to take a bottle of wine to the beach because they help keep your drinks at a chilled temperature no matter where you are. This bag is made from pierce-resistant nylon and elastic bands tapered at the top to provide extra stretch, so it’s solid and durable. 

 Naked Wines

The classic Italian grape reaches a whole new potential with this high-quality bottle. It’s light, refreshing, and versatile, so it’s an approachable wine to give to any type of wine drinker. It’s fresh, balanced, and brightly acidic with pleasant notes of peach and apricot. This affordable bottle can be paired with foods like cheese, fish, chicken, or shellfish.

Advent calendars are the perfect way to celebrate Christmas all month, and they make a fantastic gift that your loved one can open each day. This option from In Good Taste Wines comes with 24 mini bottles of premium wine sourced from Spain, Sicily, California, and more. It’s the perfect way to explore new varietals, styles, and tasting notes.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • How do I choose a nice wine to gift?

    Choosing wine can be challenging, especially when picking out a bottle for someone else. When selecting a wine gift for someone else, opt for a tried and true bottle from a high-quality producer. "I always opt for Champagne or sparkling wine," said Fine. "It's perfect for celebrating and always fits the mood."


    Moore says that if you're having trouble selecting a high-quality wine, turn to the experts. "Find your local mom-and-pop wine store and get to know the people that work there," she suggests. "They curate their selections just like sommeliers create wine lists. They know the producers' backstories and flavor profiles and can guide you based upon your preferences. You simply aren't going to get that level of service at the bigger wine or liquor stores," she added.

  • How can I gift a wine subscription?

    Gifting a wine subscription is easy! First, take a look at some of the best online wine subscriptions. There are many to choose from, so first assess your needs: How frequently do you want wine delivered? How many bottles would you like included with each shipment? What styles of wine do you prefer? And, most importantly, how much would you like to spend? "Giving a wine subscription is a great option," says Moore. "There are countless sommeliers with active wine clubs that send out a couple of bottles a month with tasting notes," she added.


    Wine subscriptions are billed monthly or quarterly, so if you'd like to send one as a gift, you can sign the recipient up to receive as many shipments as you'd like. Depending on how much you'd like to spend, most subscription services have options to receive one, two, three, or six months' worth of deliveries.

  • Can you send wine in the mail?

    You can ship wine in the mail, but it's a complicated process subject to many state and federal laws and carrier regulations. For example, USPS and FedEx do not allow individuals to mail wine. Most mail carriers only enable wine to be sent from licensed shippers, depending on where you're shipping to. If you'd like to send wine to someone, the best way is to order it through a licensed distributor or retailer and have it mailed directly to them rather than packaging and shipping it yourself.

Our Expertise

Laura Denby is a food and wine writer with a degree in Culinary Arts from the Institute of Culinary Education and a WSET level 2 award in wine and spirits. She has years of experience working as a professional chef and is passionate about exploring new and emerging wine regions and varietals. She has worked on vineyards both on Long Island and the Languedoc-Roussillon region of Southern France, where she has experience leading group tastings in the tasting room and working alongside winemakers in the cellar during vinification.

Haley Moore is the CEO and founder of Acquire: a luxury hospitality company in San Francisco, CA. She has been a sommelier and wine director for over 15 years, where she has curated and overseen award-winning wine programs at Michelin-starred restaurants. 

Tracey Shepos Cenami is the Chef de Cuisine and cheese expert at La Crema Winery. A graduate of the California Culinary Academy, she is a three-time winner of Food Network's Guy's Grocery Games. Ben Fine is the Fine Wine expert at La Crema Winery. He is a wine educator and host of La Crema's Behind the Vine series.

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