Coming-of-Age Ceremonies are held to encourage and congratulate new adults who are joining the ranks of adults. This once-in-a-lifetime, important anniversary is something you want to celebrate in a big way.
Last April, in 2022, the age of adulthood was lowered to 18, but since the year people turn 18 coincides with the time for entrance exams and job hunting, it seems that most local governments will continue to hold coming-of-age ceremonies for new adults who turn 20.
This year, in 2023, Coming of Age Day will be on Monday, January 9th (a national holiday) .
For those who have just turned 20 and become adults, one of the most exciting things may be being able to drink alcohol .
I'm sure that all of you adults who enjoy wine today still have happy memories of when you turned 20. And when giving a bottle of wine to a new adult, I'm sure you hope that "the first wine they taste will be delicious."
However, many people may not know what kind of wine to choose when it comes to choosing a wine. In this article, Iwasu, a sommelier who specializes in New Zealand wines, will tell you how to choose a wine to give to new adults and recommend some wines.
The recommended wines introduced in this article will mainly be New Zealand wines, which I love.
In fact, New Zealand wines are often fresh and fruity, making them the perfect gift for new adults!
*You must be 20 years of age to drink alcohol. Providing alcohol to minors is prohibited by law. If you are giving wine as a gift, be sure to check the recipient's age.
Things to keep in mind when giving wine to new adults
I think choosing wine to celebrate coming of age, which can be considered an important milestone in life, is a wonderful idea.
However, there are a few things you should keep in mind when giving a gift to a new adult, so let me start by briefly introducing those.
Make sure the person is 20 years old by the date you give the wine
New adults are celebrating their entry into the adult world, but when giving them alcohol as a gift, it's important to check their birthday beforehand, because some new adults were born early in the year and won't have yet to turn 20 on Coming of Age Day.
As mentioned at the beginning, the age of adulthood will be lowered to 18 from April 2022, but the legal age for drinking alcohol will remain the same as before : once you turn 20.
If you would like to give wine to a new adult who has not yet turned 20, it is a good idea to give the wine after their birthday.
If you are giving it before the child's birthday, make sure to have a parent or other family member over the age of 20 keep it until the child's birthday.
Wines from the year you were born need a little caution
Some people may want to give a gift to a new adult of a vintage wine from the year they were born . "Vintage" refers to the year written on the label of a wine bottle, and indicates the year the grapes used to make the wine were harvested.
The new adults who will be taking part in the Coming of Age Ceremony in 2023 will be those born in 2002 or 2003. Wine from that same vintage will have been aged in the bottle for approximately 20 years.
The vintage wine from the year of birth and the new adult are like classmates who have matured together over the long span of 20 years. With that in mind, it would be a very stylish and thoughtful gift.
However, wine that has been aged for 20 years is classified as "aged wine" and can be said to be for advanced drinkers who enjoy the "complexity" and "depth" that comes with aging. Therefore, there is a risk that new adults who are not accustomed to drinking wine may not find it "delicious."
Also, among vintage wines, those that have aged well and taste good tend to be limited to high-end wines. They are expensive, and it may be difficult to choose a wine. Furthermore, there is a possibility that the wine may deteriorate during storage.
This is just my opinion, but I feel that giving aged sake to a new adult is a bit risky.
I think the recipient is more likely to be pleased if you simply choose a gift of a wine that is easy for even novices to appreciate .
When drinking together, prepare water in advance.
Since wine tends to have a relatively high alcohol content, people who have just turned 20 need to be supervised by adults around them when drinking wine.
If you are drinking wine with the new adults, be sure to bring water as well.
After a little wine, encourage your child to drink water to prevent their blood alcohol level from rising too quickly.
If you're drinking with friends only, be sure to add a comment like, "Make sure you drink water too."
How to choose wine that will please new adults
Now, we will finally talk about "wines that are easy for beginners to appreciate" that will be enjoyed by new adults.
Wine aroma and alcohol
Wine is a drink that is primarily enjoyed for its rich aroma. However, for people who are not used to drinking wine, the "alcohol aroma" can be stronger, making it difficult to appreciate the inherent delicious aroma of the wine .
In such a case, if you choose a wine that has a clear fruity aroma , you will feel comfortable and familiar with the wine. And the fruity aroma will also easily lead to the deliciousness you feel when you put the wine in your mouth.
Next, regarding alcohol content, since new adults are not used to drinking wine, they should try to avoid drinks with a high alcohol content.
If you get drunk the first time you drink wine, you may get the impression that wine is a drink that makes you drunk.
To convey the deliciousness of the wine, it is best to choose one with a lower alcohol content.
How to choose a wine by type
When choosing a sparkling wine or white wine for those new to wine, it is best to choose one that has a slight (or strong) fruity sweetness rather than a crisp, dry wine.
When it comes to red wine, we recommend one with a mellow flavor and relatively little astringency or bitterness.
Below are some points to consider when making your selection.
[Recommended wines for new adults]
- Wine with a clear fruit aroma
- Low alcohol wine
- Sparkling white wines are slightly or strongly sweet.
- Red wine is a mild type with little bitterness.
A good choice of wine would be one like the ones above.
To be more specific by type, for sparkling wine, " Champagne" or "sparkling wine made using the Champagne method ," for white wine, "Riesling," which has a little sugar remaining, and for red wine, "Pinot Noir," which has little astringency, are recommended for new adults and those new to wine.
How to choose a store to buy wine
When choosing a store to buy wine, try to choose one that provides detailed product descriptions.
Depending on the store, some wine stores provide detailed product descriptions, while others do not. If they don't state whether a white wine is sweet or dry, it can be difficult to make a judgment.
In particular, if you choose a store that provides detailed information about the wine's aroma and flavor, you will find it easier to find a wine that suits your taste.
Recommended wines for new adults
From here, we will introduce some recommended wines.
If you want to give a new adult a wine that is sure to please , then I recommend choosing champagne without any hesitation.
Champagne is a sparkling wine made using traditional methods in the Champagne region of France. It is made using a very labor-intensive method called secondary fermentation in the bottle , and is characterized by delicate bubbles and an elegant aroma and flavor.
Champagne from the major fashion houses is a little pricey, but it is an excellent choice for a celebration.
However, for those looking for something a little more unique than the standard Champagne, we'll introduce you to some New Zealand wines that make great gifts.
Recommended NZ wines
As mentioned at the beginning, New Zealand wines often have fresh, fruity aromas and flavors, making them recommended for wine beginners.
From among these New Zealand wines, we have picked out some that would be perfect as gifts for new adults!
Sparkling wine
In New Zealand, although the quantity is not that great, high quality sparkling wine is produced using the same method as Champagne.
Osawa Wines Prestige Collection Methode Traditionale Brut NV
| Winery Name | Osawa Wines |
|---|---|
| Origin | Hawke's Bay |
| Grape variety | 52% Pinot Noir, 48% Chardonnay |
| Vintage | Non-Vintage |
| Alcohol content | 12.5% |
| Suggested retail price | 5,500 yen (tax included) |
Osawa Wines, owned by Taizo Osawa, is a boutique winery located in Hawke's Bay on New Zealand's North Island.
This sparkling wine is perfect for celebrations. It has a harmonious blend of the fragrant aroma of gorgeous brioche and the citrus aroma of grapefruit, and also has a slight sweetness.
It goes well with a wide range of meals, from appetizers to fish and meat dishes.
Mimi Methode Traditionelle NV
| Winery Name | Wine Portfolio |
|---|---|
| Origin | Hawke's Bay |
| Grape variety | 51% Pinot Noir, 39% Chardonnay Pinot Meunier 10% |
| Vintage | Non-Vintage |
| Alcohol content | 11.6% |
| Suggested retail price | 2,915 yen (tax included) |
It has a surprising apple flavor, with a cider-like aroma of green apples that rises powerfully from the glass.
It has a slightly lower alcohol content than regular sparkling wine, so you won't feel the strong alcoholic after drinking it.
However, since it is actually made using authentic champagne methods, the fine bubbles and elegant taste are exceptional.
White Wine
New Zealand is a country full of white wines, especially fresh and fruity ones, and there are many recommended brands even for those who are not used to drinking wine.
Felton Road Riesling Bannockburn
| Winery Name | Felton Road |
|---|---|
| Origin | Central Otago |
| Grape variety | Riesling |
| Vintage | 2020 |
| Alcohol content | 9.0% |
| Suggested retail price | 4,730 yen (tax included) |
The Riesling produced by Felton Road, one of New Zealand's most prestigious wineries, is characterized by its gentle, honeyed sweetness and excellent balance of acidity.
The alcohol content is also modest at 9%, so it is recommended even for those who are not accustomed to wine.
If your first drink is a high-quality Riesling like this, it might just be the start of your wine addiction!
Green Songs Late Harvest Riesling (500ml)
| Winery Name | Green Songs |
|---|---|
| Origin | Wairarapa, Gladstone |
| Grape variety | Riesling |
| Vintage | 2019 |
| Alcohol content | 9.0% |
| Suggested retail price | 3,190 yen (tax included) |
A sweet white wine made by Japanese winemaker Koyama Kohei.
This wine also has a low alcohol content of 9%, a refreshing taste, and a sweetness reminiscent of fruit preserved in syrup. It is recommended even for those who are not good at wine. It can be enjoyed even after it has been opened.
It goes very well with blue cheese and desserts.
red wine
New Zealand is also famous for producing Pinot Noir, a red wine with an elegant aroma and flavor.
The world's best red wine, Romanée-Conti, is also made from Pinot Noir. I think it's a wonderful choice to start with Pinot Noir as a gateway to the far-flung world of wine, which stretches all the way to the top of the world.
It has a mild astringency and bitterness, so it is recommended even for those who are not accustomed to drinking wine.
Felton Road Pinot Noir Bannockburn
| Winery Name | Felton Road |
|---|---|
| Origin | Central Otago |
| Grape variety | Pinot Noir |
| Vintage | 2020 |
| Alcohol content | 13.5% |
| Suggested retail price | 8,360 yen (tax included) |
Felton Road, known as the best Pinot Noir in New Zealand, believes in making wines that put as little strain on the environment and the grapes as possible. The resulting wines are packed with the gentle flavor of the fruit, allowing you to fully enjoy the deliciousness of red wine.
Is it a waste to try the best New Zealand has to offer so soon? Actually, I think it will be a good experience to experience the best taste of New Zealand's best so soon!
Maison Martinborough Pinot Noir
| Winery Name | Ma Maison |
|---|---|
| Origin | Wairarapa |
| Grape variety | Pinot Noir |
| Vintage | 2018 |
| Alcohol content | 12.5% |
| Suggested retail price | 4,950 yen (tax included) |
This high-quality Pinot Noir is comparable to that of Burgundy, France. It features an elegant fruit flavor, mellow acidity and silky tannins.
It's also perfect for a special dinner, and we recommend pairing it with delicious meat dishes.
Palliser Estate Pencarrow Pinot Noir
| Winery Name | Palliser Estate |
|---|---|
| Origin | Martinborough |
| Grape variety | Pinot Noir |
| Vintage | 2018 |
| Alcohol content | 13.0% |
| Suggested retail price | 3,520 yen (tax included) |
This is a slightly casual wine in the price range, but it is well-made. This Pinot is light in color and has a soft flavor. I don't think you'll notice much astringency.
By the way, Martinborough, where it is produced, is said to have the closest climate to Burgundy in New Zealand, and many of the wines produced there have a similar feel to the real thing. This wine also has the elegance of French wine.
Tips for giving wine as a gift
When giving wine to anyone, not just as a gift for a newly-adult, be sure to wrap it before giving it to them. Most wine shops offer gift wrapping services.
And when it comes to wine, glasses are also important. If you have the money, it would be a good idea to give wine glasses as a gift too.
The basics of wine are explained in detail in the article below. It is illustrated and easy to understand even for wine beginners, so you might want to read it together with your new adult.
▶︎Wine Basics | [Drinking Wine] Part 1. About wine glasses
Wine items to give along with wine
If your new adult's family enjoys wine, they may already have wine glasses at home.
In that case, why not try giving something like this along with the wine?
Sommelier knife
As the name suggests, a sommelier knife is a knife used by sommeliers to open wine, but now it has become widely used for enjoying wine in the home as well.
I think it would be a great idea to give a sommelier knife, which is necessary for uncorking a bottle, as a gift to convey the message, "Enjoy your wine life from now on!"
Here is a sommelier knife recommended for wine beginners.
Pulltaps Sommelier Knife
The Pulltaps Sommelier Knife, made by the Spanish company Pulltex, fits comfortably in the hand and is sturdy enough to withstand heavy use.
It has a "W hook" that uses two levels of leverage to pull out the cork after screwing in the screw, so even beginners can remove the cork relatively easily. The price is also reasonable.
summary
Wine is a fascinating drink. In addition to its aroma and flavor, it can also enrich your life by pairing it with food and learning about its cultural background.
If a new adult finds the first wine they taste to be delicious, wine may enrich the rest of their life.
Be sure to think about the person you are giving the gift to and choose the perfect wine.
I think it would be wonderful if the happy milestone of turning 20 could be an opportunity to discover good wine!
