How to give wine as a gift:
- Consider who you’re giving it to
- Determine your budget
- Consider the origin and style of the wine
- Ask experts
- Choose your wine properly
- Package it nicely
Wine is always a good option when you’re contemplating what to give someone. But there’s a certain etiquette to follow when you do so, and it starts before you even get your bottle.
If you’re unsure or want to refresh your memory, here are our tips on gifting wine:
Consider who you’re giving it to
As with most gifts, you want to consider the recipient’s preferences. Do they even drink wine, or would they prefer spirits?
If wine is a go, what kind of flavor do they prefer? Are they interested in sweet wines? Dry ones? Red or white? Does a certain wine have significant meaning to them? Have they gone somewhere out of town recently, and would they be interested in wine from that place?
If they’re not into wine, consider other things instead, like spirits or other food. Taking all these things into account will not only ensure you give them a gift that they’ll actually like, but it also says, “I’ve been thinking of you,” as any gift should.
Determine your budget
It’s not the end-all-be-all to influence your decision-making, but it’s certainly important to determine how much you’re willing to spend on this gift. At Ralph’s, we have delicious wines from the 500-peso to 5,000-peso ranges, so you’ve got more than enough options for any kind of budget.
Consider the Romio Prosecco Doc Extra Dry for a crisp and refreshing white, a , or the Pirramimma Stock’s Hill Cabernet Sauvignon 2019 for a rich and structured red. These are great picks for those with a budget of 1,000-2,500 pesos.
For those feeling generous this holiday season, we recommend the Henriot Brut Souverain for budgets within 2,500-5,000 pesos — or if you’re feeling extra generous, the Allegrini Amarone Della Valpolicella-Classico is a great choice
Consider the origin and style of the wine
Wine enthusiasts know there’s a difference between Old World and New World wines. Old World wines come from countries where modern winemaking originated—countries in Europe, mostly. New World wines, on the other hand, come from nations influenced by European colonizers who innovated the winemaking tradition.
When considering the origin, choosing one from a place the recipient loves is always a good idea. Most likely, they’ve enjoyed the food that country offers, and good food is nearly always paired with good wine.
Otherwise, you can also judge by taste. Most Old World wines are lighter in body, lower in alcohol, have a higher acidity, and lean towards more earth-driven flavors than New World wines (which isn’t to say there are no exceptions).
Some Old World options we have are the Bouchard Pere & Fils Bourgogne Pinot Noir La Vignee 2018 from France, and the Allegrini Soave from Italy, while some New World options include the South African KWV The Mentors Shiraz 2013 and the Seghesio Sonoma County Zinfandel. For the true wine enthusiast, we even have some Ancient World wines from Israel and Greece that might suit their fancy.
Ask experts
If you don’t know the host or recipient too well, you can always go with a safe yet noteworthy option. If you’re having a difficult time determining which wine that is, or you’re not much of a drinker yourself, the best person to ask may be right in front of you.
Don’t be afraid to ask your local merchant for their recommendations. They’ll likely be able to suggest something you can try out, or give several options depending on what the occasion is. Even if you don’t know the first thing about wine, you’ll at least look like you know what you’re doing.
Choose your wine properly
Part of choosing your wine is knowing who’s going to drink it and for what. But we have some other tips for choosing your wine that work in any situation:
For starters, don’t assume that more expensive wines automatically taste better. For example, our MontGras Merlot Reserva would make a respectable gift, despite its affordable price tag.
Different people have different wine preferences, and it’s not a reflection of their status. No need to break the bank just to afford the most expensive option out there.
However, don’t always go for the cheapest bottle available, either. In the case of wine, you get what you pay for, so opt for a mid-range priced bottle. Another mistake is to solely choose based on how the bottle looks— always remember that it’s the winemaker who makes it great, not the designer.
You can avoid all these mistakes with our aforementioned best practice: if you’re not familiar with wine, ask someone who is.
Package it nicely
If the bottle looks good or impressive on its own, tying a simple bow and adding a card will do, but a plain bottle might need a little sprucing up with a gift box. If you’re feeling particularly generous, you can even place it in a basket with a bunch of other food apt for the occasion.
Key Takeaway
We’ve shared some tips on how to give wine as a gift, so the next time you have a party to attend or someone special to thank, consider our advice before you make your purchase.
And, if you need help getting the perfect bottle of wine for your friends and family, check out Ralph’s Wines & Spirits’ online store! We have a wide selection of wines, so you’re sure to find a bottle for everyone on your gift list! Happy wine shopping!
