As autumn deepens, the words "oseibo" (year-end gift) start to appear more frequently in the media and around town.
Many people may see this and start thinking about what to give to those who have helped them this year and begin making preparations.
In recent years, opportunities to gather in large groups have become less common than before. I'm sure there are relatives, friends, and acquaintances among you that you haven't seen in a while.
At times like these, it's important to give gifts such as year-end gifts to express gratitude once again and cherish the relationships you have with people.
In this article, we will provide recommended wines and useful information for those who are thinking of giving wine as a year-end gift.
If you are a wine lover, you will surely be pleased with a gift of wine. However, there are a few tricks to giving wine as a gift. Be sure to remember the key points when choosing a gift.
My parents-in-law also love wine, so I'm thinking of giving them a wine gift this year!
Now, let's review the basic knowledge about year-end gifts and introduce how even beginners can choose wine well.
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- Mika is 35 years old and works at an apparel company. She is getting into wine and is really interested in wine glasses.
- Iwasu is a sommelier who oversees this website. He runs a bar in Nagoya that stocks a wide range of New Zealand wines.
Give wine to someone who has helped you
"Oseibo" is a gift given to people who have helped you throughout the year to express your gratitude. Wine is a perfect gift for this occasion.
Year-end gifts are sent a little before the New Year holidays. After the year-end gift-giving season, festive events such as Christmas and New Year's come and go. On special occasions and celebratory occasions, people want to splurge a little more than usual and enjoy a little more luxurious food and alcohol. On such special occasions, having wine will help to create a celebratory mood.
Wine is originally meant to be enjoyed with food, so if you pair it with a sumptuous New Year's meal, I think its flavor will be multiplied!
Another great thing about wine is that many types can be stored for long periods of time . If you have a wine cellar or other temperature-control equipment, you can age the wine at home and open it when you decide it's ready to drink.
However, it is also true that wine is a drink that people either love or hate, so make sure you check whether the person you are giving it to likes wine or not before giving it to them.
Basic knowledge of year-end gifts
Next, we will discuss basic knowledge about year-end gifts.
What is Oseibo?
Oseibo are gifts given at the end of each year to people who have always helped us, to express our gratitude for the past year and our hope that we will continue to work with them in the future .
It is said that the origin of Oseibo dates back to the Muromachi period, when offerings for the "Goryosai" ceremony held at New Year's to welcome the spirits of ancestors would be sent from a branch family to the family of one's birth, and from the family of one's husband to the family of one's birth.
During the Edo period, it became customary for samurai to give gifts to their group leaders at the end of the year, and for merchants to give gifts when making their visits to pay their respects. After the Meiji period, the custom of giving gifts to people who had helped you, other than family and relatives, called "oseibo" became established.
When to give New Year's gifts
Generally, the time to give oseibo is from early December to around December 25th . However, it varies slightly depending on the region, so be careful. Make sure to follow the customs of the area where the recipient lives.
Roughly speaking, in eastern and western Japan, there will be no problem if the product can be delivered during the periods listed below.
| area | Time to give |
|---|---|
| Eastern Japan | Early December to December 20th (More and more people are sending them at the end of November) |
| Western Japan | December 13th to 20th |
In Western Japan, it is celebrated from December 13th to the 20th, when preparations for the New Year begin, which is called "Shogatsu Kotohajime," making it a shorter period than in Eastern Japan.
Tips for choosing wine for a year-end gift that will be well received
There are many different types of wine, including red, white, rosé, and sparkling, so many people may be wondering what to give as a gift.
"When in doubt, is there a standard wine gift that you would choose?"
There are two classic ways to give wine as a gift. First,
Champagne
Champagne is a popular gift for wine lovers. It will be appreciated by a wide range of people, from those who like wine casually to wine aficionados.
Champagne is a sparkling wine made in the Champagne region of France. The fine, beautiful bubbles created by the traditional method of secondary fermentation in the bottle give it a smooth mouthfeel and an elegant, gorgeous aroma and flavor. It goes well with food, making it perfect for celebratory occasions.
Indeed, it has a strong image of being something to drink on special occasions such as celebrations.
I won't let you call it cliche! (laughs) It's reassuring to give and a pleasure to receive. That's what champagne is all about.
If you're not sure what wine to give, champagne is the safest option!
Red and white wine set
"Red and white" is widely recognized as an auspicious color combination in Japan since ancient times.
If you are talking about wine, you can replace this with "red wine and white wine," so a "set of two bottles, one red and one white," is a very suitable gift for celebrations.
I think many wine shops offer red and white wine sets.
What are the points to consider when choosing?
If you are not confident in choosing wine yourself, you will not go far wrong if you choose from the wine gifts prepared by the shop. However, if you want to increase the recipient's satisfaction, we recommend that you research their preferences beforehand.
It's a good idea to look for clues in the conversation.
It might be a good idea to casually ask questions like, "What kind of wine do you usually drink?" or "Do you like sparkling wine, red wine, or white wine?"
Certainly, if you were the one receiving the gift, you would be happy that someone had thought about it so much.
What is the estimated cost?
There is no set price guide for giving wine as a year-end gift, but if you're giving it, you want to give something as delicious as possible.
Here, I will give you an estimate of the cost, based purely on Iwasu's personal opinion.
Everyone has their own definition of what makes a good wine, but I think that in the price range of 3,000 yen or more per bottle, there are many very delicious wines that will satisfy any wine lover.
I see. Wine prices vary widely, so it's easier to choose if you have some kind of guideline.
This seems like a good criterion to use when looking for wine for yourself.
Recommended New Zealand wine gifts
So, I'd like to introduce some of my favorite New Zealand wines that I would recommend as year-end gifts.
Cloudy Bay
Cloudy Bay was one of the first wineries in Marlborough to start full-scale winemaking, and it is also responsible for making New Zealand wine known around the world.
It all started when the Sauvignon Blanc released in 1985 received high praise in the UK. Its wonderful concentration and pure fruitiness have led to it being called "the wine that woke up the world to white wine."
By the way, Cloudy Bay is a brand under the umbrella of LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton, just like Moet & Chandon and Veuve Clicquot. And even now, it continues to maintain its high quality and is loved by wine fans around the world.
Cloudy Bay Sauvignon Blanc 2022
| Winery Name | Cloudy Bay |
|---|---|
| Grape variety | Sauvignon Blanc |
| Origin | Marlborough |
| Vintage | 2022 |
| Suggested retail price | 4,455 yen (tax included) |
Cloudy Bay's Sauvignon Blanc is a model style of New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc, combining citrus fruits such as grapefruit with tropical fruits such as pineapple and aromas of herbs and green grass.
In recent vintages, the fruitiness of the aroma has been somewhat subdued, evolving the wine into a style that pairs better with food.
Pairing it with a sumptuous New Year's meal will add an extra festive touch to your dinner table.
This is a wine that represents the flavor of New Zealand wine. It is also well-known, so it is popular as a gift. I think it will be appreciated by anyone who likes refreshing white wine.
▶︎Purchase here: Bokumo Wine
Ata Rangi
Atarangi is a pioneering winery that has popularised Martinborough Pinot Noir around the world, and is committed to producing sustainable wines that are kind to the environment.
Atarangi means "a new beginning" in Maori. It is perfect for starting something new or celebrating the New Year.
Atalangi Crimson Pinot Noir 2019
| Winery Name | Ata Rangi |
|---|---|
| Grape variety | Pinot Noir |
| Origin | Marlborough |
| Vintage | 2019 |
| Suggested retail price | 4,620 yen (tax included) |
Atalangi's Pinot Noir is so highly regarded around the world that it is called the "New Zealand Romanee-Conti".
Among them, the wine called Crimson is an entry-level Pinot. Although it is an entry-level wine, its aroma and flavor are impressively elegant.
The aroma of raspberries, cherries, cloves and cinnamon is very attractive, with a moderate acidity and a somewhat long finish. This Pinot Noir has a sophisticated European taste.
Pinot Noir is a variety that wine lovers look up to. This wine is very elegant, making it the perfect choice for a special occasion.
▶︎Purchase here: Bokumo Wine
Gift wrapping, greeting cards, etc.
Next, I will briefly talk about packaging when giving wine as a year-end gift.
First, about the noshi (gift wrapping). The mizuhiki (paper string) should be auspicious with a red and white bow to ensure a long-lasting relationship. If you or the recipient is in mourning, it is okay to send a year-end gift, but the noshi should be plain white wrapping paper or strips of paper.
There is no rule as to whether to use inner or outer wrapping for the noshi. However, if you are shipping the gift, it is better to use inner wrapping to avoid damage. In addition, inner wrapping is also suitable if you want to give a modest gift.
On the other hand, if you plan to hand it over in person or want to make it clear that it is a year-end gift, we recommend using an outer wrapping.
Also, if you are sending it, it would be a good idea to include a greeting card .
And when you buy something from a store, be sure to ask for gift wrapping .
Things to keep in mind when giving or shipping wine
Wine is a delicate alcoholic beverage, so excessive vibration or sudden temperature changes can affect its quality.
You need to be especially careful when giving sparkling wine such as champagne. If you open the bottle immediately, it may overflow, so if possible, store it in the refrigerator for at least a few hours before opening it.
This is important, so you may want to mention it to your partner.
Also, wine can lose quality if it is too chilled, so you should be careful when giving wine as a year-end gift to someone in a cold region.
If you are sending wine to an area where temperatures are likely to drop below zero, such as Hokkaido or the Tohoku region, you can prevent the wine from freezing by selecting "refrigerated."
summary
Oseibo is a Japanese culture that has been continued since ancient times. Although the practice of giving oseibo has become less common in recent years, it still plays an important role in conveying gratitude for the past year .
In this article, we have summarized some points to consider when giving a year-end gift to someone who loves wine. Be sure to choose a delicious wine as your year-end gift this year and make that wine lover happy!
