Entertaining
Holly Shaw, DipWSET, ReserveBar Wine Contributor
Toast to magical moments
with our collection of holiday favorites.
It’s that time of year again! ‘Tis the season for a little wine giving, wine drinking, and bringing wine to parties. If you’re like me, I love gifting an impressive and special bottle but am always searching for the “perfect gift” for a wine lover. This can be a daunting task, especially when the receiver has a solid wine knowledge. The wine world is endless in terms of wine, glasses, accessories, and even clothing for wine drinkers. This gift guide will keep you up on the latest trends and help you discover some of the best selections for every budget. You’ll impress wine connoisseurs and plain wine drinkers alike.
Wine gifts can be a holiday present or a simple token of gratitude for a party or dinner invite. Whatever the case, bringing a bottle of wine should be stress-free. When attending a dinner, it helps to ask what will be served to bring a wine that will compliment it. Sometimes that isn't possible, and in that case, I suggest bringing a white wine or some sparkling wine because that is a natural party thriller. Red wine tends to be more meal specific, but white wine is more widely enjoyed on its own. Buy a wine gift bag and add a little note or thank you card, and don’t worry if your wine isn’t consumed at the dinner or party because you’ve done your job and are appreciated!
Faire La Fete means “throw a party.” What better way to celebrate the holidays than to show up with a bottle that literally says, “Let's party!” Crémant de Limoux is a great sparkling wine that grows outside the Champagne region in Limoux (Southern France) and is made in the same style (traditional method) as Champagne.
This sparkling wine is made from Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Chenin Blanc. This is a delicious, dry sparkling wine that is perfect for all occasions.
“Too much of anything is bad, but too much champagne is just right.” F. Scott Fitzgerald
Champagne is one of my favorite wines to give or bring to a party – it’s classic, and everyone knows that it’s special. Ruinart is a famous Champagne house that produces wines of elegance and simplicity. The Blanc de Blanc is made from Chardonnay and is perfect on its own or paired with seafood.
Sauvignon Blanc is a perfect gift or wine to drink for the holidays. When in doubt, reach for Sauvignon Blanc. It’s the perfect balance of delicious and practical. It can suit most foods and appetizers, and everyone loves it! Cloudy Bay is one of the first New Zealand wines to make a splash in the wine world. It’s a classic example of everything good!
Don’t let the ABC movement (Anything But Chardonnay) keep you away from one of the great white wines. Stag’s Leap has long been a standard bearer for quality wine. This Chardonnay does have oak, but it’s well-integrated and offers a terrific crispness and round flavor. This wine is perfect with a meal or just for sipping, which is why it makes the perfect gift!
If you have a Beethoven lover out there — they will love this wine. Named after his third symphony to celebrate a collaboration with the U.S. producer, Chateau Ste. Michelle and Dr. Loosen, one of the great German producers. This wine will surprise and please everyone, even those who don’t think they like Riesling. This is my go-to Thanksgiving Day wine, but it also matches any Thai or Asian food flavors. It is a dry, crisp wine with some preservable sweetness. Try it; you won’t be disappointed.
This gorgeous chiller will thrill any host or wine lover. The Waterford Markham Champagne Chiller was designed to combine traditional style wedge cutting with a glamorous quality. It can hold Champagne, white wine, or any beverage that needs to be chilled. Set it out on the table or bar because it’s an eye-catching masterpiece.
In answer to the never-ending question: which glass do I use? Bordeaux? Pinot? Chardonnay? Rolf Mid-Century Modern Wine-tini Glasses has answered. They’ve rolled out this universal wine glass made with Austrian crystal. These glasses are elegant and can be used from all wines from Champagne to Cabernet!
The most gorgeous Champagne bottle and flutes on the market. The bottle is decorated with Japanese white anemones, which Emile Gallé created in 1902 for Perrier-Jouet. As a recipient of this gift years ago, I still feel gratitude for this gift every time I take a sip from these glasses. The champagne is a beautiful expression of what the Champagne region has to offer, and packaged with these glasses; your gift is complete!
Now that you’re feeling inspired go out and buy some gifts! You can knock out at least half your gift list with wine and accessories alone. This is the fun part, and don’t worry – if you’re bringing good wine or beautiful wine accessories, you will be the hit of the party!
Need more gift ideas? Shop our Entire White Wine Collection Here!