Wine enthusiasts are surprisingly difficult people to buy for. We have strong opinions about glassware, suspiciously specific preferences for corkscrews and an extraordinary ability to convince ourselves that a GBP 200 gadget will somehow save money on wine.
Between running WineGuide101, attending tastings and working through my WSET qualifications, I’ve developed a healthy appreciation for accessories that genuinely make drinking wine more enjoyable. I’ve also encountered plenty that look magnificent on a kitchen counter and are rarely touched again.
The difference usually comes down to usefulness. A good wine gift should help someone discover something new, enjoy a better glass or rescue a bottle from becoming tomorrow’s cooking wine.
Best affordable wine gifts
Proof that you don’t need a collector’s budget to buy a thoughtful present. These are the small upgrades that solve real problems, without demanding that the recipient clear another shelf.
Best mid-range wine gifts
A little more investment, and potentially a lot more enjoyment. These suit people who already appreciate wine but might not have treated themselves to a genuinely useful upgrade.
Best wine tasting experiences
Sometimes the best present isn’t something you can wrap. A themed wine flight, a guided tasting, a local wine-school session or a blind-tasting box can help someone discover new styles without filling the cupboard with gadgets.
For UK readers, consider
ThirtyFifty wine tasting gift vouchers
for a guided tasting at home, or browse
The Wine Society’s UK events and tastings
. Both offer UK-focused options rather than requiring international shipping.
Having tasted some exceptional wines blind at dinners and professional tastings, I can confirm that taking away the label makes everyone considerably less sure of themselves. An expensive Burgundy has the decency not to announce its price before you taste it.
Best luxury wine gifts
Now we’re into proper wine-geek territory. These are high-end presents for collectors, Champagne devotees and anyone who regards an especially good corkscrew as a piece of engineering.
What about wine fridges and travel cases?
If the recipient has every accessory going, think bigger. A dual-zone wine fridge can be a worthwhile step up from keeping valuable bottles in a warm kitchen, while a padded travel case is useful for those who bring wine home from trips. Check dimensions, storage capacity and airline restrictions before buying.
Which wine gift should you buy?
| Wine lover | Best gift |
|---|---|
| One-glass-at-a-time drinker | Repour Wine Saver |
| White wine or rose lover | Vinochill |
| Dinner party host | Menu Winebreather or Peugeot Elis Touch |
| Curious learner | Wine Folly or guided tasting |
| Everyday enthusiast | Coravin Pivot+ |
| Fine-wine collector | Coravin Timeless Six+ |
| Champagne enthusiast | Coravin Sparkling |
| Serious wine geek | Josephine glass or Code38 |
One thing to remember:
systems that use gas capsules and disposable stoppers carry ongoing costs. And the most expensive accessory isn’t automatically the most useful. Choose for someone’s drinking habits rather than their perceived expertise.
The final pour
My favourite wine gifts encourage someone to experience wine differently. A Coravin might persuade them to try something special on an ordinary evening. A great book could open up an unfamiliar region. A blind-tasting experience might finally prove that recognising the label isn’t the same as recognising the wine.
This Christmas, don’t just buy something for someone who loves wine. Buy something that makes them love it a little more.
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