Wine is a gorgeous drink that is perfect for celebratory occasions, and of course, it also makes a great gift.
"I want to give it as a gift to someone special"
"I want to express my gratitude to those who have helped me through wine."
"I want to take it to a celebration party."
If you are thinking about giving a gift, you want to choose a wine that the recipient will enjoy .
However, when it comes to giving wine as a gift, the question of "how to choose" can be a problem. Even if you are a regular wine drinker, you may feel uneasy when it comes to looking for a gift.
I drink wine occasionally, but when it comes to giving it as a gift, it somehow seems a bit more intimidating...
I understand how you feel.
But don't worry, I'm here to help you! If you keep in mind the bare minimum, giving wine as a gift isn't that difficult.
I see! Iwasu-san, I'm counting on you!
But I think the idea of giving wine as a gift in the first place is a wonderful thing.
After all, wine is an item that brings happiness to the recipient's moment , as it can enrich a meal or liven up a special day.
Don't you think that's a very loving thing?
surely!
When choosing a gift, we naturally imagine the happy look on the recipient's face, and this element may be especially strong when it comes to wine.
In this article, we will introduce some ideas that can help you choose a wine, for those who are wondering, "I want to give wine as a gift, but how can I make the recipient happy?"
Wine is the perfect gift!
As mentioned at the beginning, wine is a great gift.
The reason for this is...
- A "special occasion drink" that also creates a sense of specialness.
- Sparkling wines , including champagne , are very gorgeous and make great gifts.
- A set of red and white wine makes a great gift for a celebration.
- You can also convey a message using the vintage or name of the wine .
- If you choose carefully with the label (etiquette) design , it will become a stylish looking gift!
In Japan, wine is not considered an everyday drink, but rather is seen as something to drink on special occasions . In other words, many people feel that giving wine as a gift is something special .
It certainly feels special when you receive wine!
Also, there are many different types of wine labels, so it's a good idea to choose one that matches the image of the person you're giving it to.
Sparkling wine is recommended for celebrations and parties. Gift sets of red and white wine are also popular.
Wine made from grapes harvested in the year of their birth or wedding would also make a special gift.
Winery names and wine brands often contain auspicious words or have special meanings. It's a good idea to do a little research online or ask a wine shop assistant to find the wine that best suits the message you want to convey.
I see! This year, I was thinking about giving my father a bottle of wine for his 60th birthday, so I'll be looking for a wine that has a good name!
What are some tips for giving wine as a gift?
If you pay attention to a few points when choosing wine, you can avoid making a mistake and make your recipient happy.
The key points are:
- price
- label
- Vintage (year of grape harvest)
- Winery name/Wine name
- Gift Box
- wrapping
is.
Now, let's take a look at some points to consider when selecting wine for each of these categories.
price
First of all, everyone is interested in the average price of wine gifts.
The minimum price for wine is 2,000 yen. If you want to give a more affordable gift, it might be better to just eliminate wine from your options.
This is because wines over 2,000 yen are more likely to be "wine that many people will find delicious." Therefore, it is a good idea to start by choosing wines with a retail price of 2,000 yen or more .
If you drink wine regularly, try choosing a wine that is 1,000 to 2,000 yen more expensive than the wine you usually drink.
label
If you're thinking, "I don't know much about wine, but I'd like to find a wine that the other person will enjoy!" one option is to give them a gift of a wine with a label that catches your eye.
Here we will introduce wines with distinctive labels that would also make great gifts.
Chateau Calon Segur
Let's start with the most representative ones.
The Bordeaux wine "Chateau Calon Segur," with its impressive heart-shaped label, is characterized by its "extreme luxury, yet charming appearance." It is a wine that is often used as a gift.
The heart mark on the label is so cute!
Image source: Enoteca Online Shop
This heart symbol actually has a wonderful origin.
Marquis Nicolas Alexandre de Segur, the owner of Château Calon-Segur , owned other valuable chateaux in the 18th century, including Château Lafite and Château Latour, which are now first growths in the Médoc.
However, when asked which of the chateaux he owns is his favorite,
"I created Lafitte, but my heart is with Charon."
It is said that he valued Chateau Calon Segur above all else, even though it was less highly rated than Lafite. Thus, the heart motif began to be drawn on the label of Chateau Calon Segur.
Since then, Chateau Calon Segur wine has been given to loved ones around the world to convey messages of love, with the meaning "My heart is with you."
Labels where you can write messages
It's a little unusual, but there are wines with labels that have a lot of white space, like this wine.
Image source: Rakuten Ichiba
You can write any message you like under the words "My Love." Feelings that are hard to express to someone's face might be easier to convey if you write them on a label...? Maybe!
That's great! It's great to have a unique label!
Art Label
Some wine labels are designed with paintings by artists. The recommended art label for New Zealand wines is the Shangri-La series from Brackenbrook .
Wow, so pretty! With such a lovely label, you'll want to keep it on display in your room forever!
The label was painted by a local artist and depicts the beautiful scenery of the Nelson region where the winery is located.
Starting with the 2020 vintage (2019 for Pinot Noir), it has evolved into a new art.
Vintage (year of grape harvest)
Next, we will talk about how to choose a "vintage." A vintage refers to the year in which the grapes that are the raw material for wine were harvested .
It will be written on the label as shown in the photo below.
When choosing a vintage wine, there are a few things to consider:
- Choose a wine from a year when the grapes were good
- Choose a wine made in an anniversary year
First of all, the style is to choose a wine from a year when the grapes were of good quality. One important way to choose a gift is to focus on the vintage so that the recipient can enjoy the best possible wine.
How do you know if the grapes are good or bad?
There are "vintage charts" on the websites of importers and wine specialty websites that list the characteristics of wines from each year. Please take a look.
Also, giving a vintage wine from the year of the recipient's birth or a special year will make an even more thoughtful gift.
For example, if you want to give a gift of wine to celebrate the XX anniversary of a company or store, it would be nice to give a wine with the year of the company's founding or opening inscribed on it. It would be very moving to give a wine made from grapes harvested in the same year that you started your business.
Of course, it is also a perfect gift to commemorate the year you started dating your partner or the year you got married.
I think a wine celebrating the year you start something new would make a really stylish gift!
Winery name/Wine name
Some winery and wine names have romantic or celebratory meanings.
In particular, when it comes to New Zealand wines, the language of the indigenous Maori people , "Maori," is often used to convey special meaning.
It would also be nice to convey the meaning of the wine in words or through a message card.
One of them is this "Ata Rangi".
Ata Rangi
Ata Rangi, which means "dawn sky, new beginning" , is the perfect wine to celebrate various new beginnings, such as a new job, retirement, wedding, or business opening.
Gift Box
Next, let's talk about gift boxes, which make wine look better. Almost all wine shops have gift boxes available.
There are mainly two types: a paper box type which is light and easy to carry, and a wooden box type which gives a more solid feel.
The types and prices vary depending on the shop, so be sure to check in advance what kind of gift boxes are available.
wrapping
If you want to give a casual gift to a close friend, just tying a ribbon around it is fine. Even simple wrapping can look gorgeous with just a little extra effort.
Wrapping goods from 100 yen shops are also convenient. Wine carrier bags and other standard items are available at Daiso and Seria.
How to choose the right wine for the type of recipient
So far, we have introduced some points to consider when choosing wine. Next, we will introduce how to choose a wine based on the type of person you are giving it to .
Here is a brief summary, but if you want to know more, please refer to the blog below!
Now, let's take a quick look at the types of people you can give gifts to, dividing them into six types!
- Type 1) Wine enthusiasts who love wine
- Type 2) People who aren't otaku but know a fair bit
- Type 3) People who can only see red or only see white
- Type 4) People who like sweet wine
- Type 5) People who have a connection to a particular country
- Type 6) Your spouse or someone close to you likes wine
The following description has been excerpted and edited from the blog.
1. A wine geek with a strong love for wine
If you are a wine lover, I'm sure you will be happy with any wine. However, the downside is that the price is easily revealed... (laughs)
If you want to play it safe, choose "Champagne". If not, we recommend a sparkling wine that costs over 3,000 yen!
This is because sparkling wines that cost more than 3,000 yen are generally made using a special method called "secondary fermentation in the bottle. " Any wine geek knows that "secondary fermentation in the bottle" = "celebratory wine ."
2. Not an otaku, but I know a fair bit.
It is surprisingly difficult to choose wine for this type of person. However, people who are "fairly knowledgeable" tend to be curious and have a strong desire for knowledge, so they tend to enjoy wines they have never tried before.
For such people, it might be a good idea to give them wine from lesser known regions (Hungary, Bulgaria, Georgia, the UK, etc.). Of course, New Zealand is also recommended.
But perhaps the safest bet is Champagne.
3. People who can only see red or white
Giving a gift to someone who has decided that this is the only drink they will ever have is easier than giving it to other types of people.
If they only drink reds, a safe gift would be Bordeaux or Burgundy. In New Zealand, we recommend a wine from Hawke's Bay or Central Otago.
If you can only have white wine, then New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc is your only choice .
4. People who like sweet wine
There are a lot of sweet white wines from Germany. Recently, the number of dry German wines has increased dramatically, but you can still find affordable sweet German wines at supermarkets and liquor stores in Japan.
Another option is the slightly sparkling Italian red wine "Lambrusco," which is slightly sweet and easy on the wallet.
If you want a more high-end, authentic sweet wine, try ice wine or late harvest wines made in various countries. These are not wines that you can drink in large quantities, so a half bottle (375ml) is enough. They are quite expensive, but they are very satisfying.
In New Zealand, if it says "Classic Riesling" it's bound to be sweet. It's not widely available, but New Zealand lovers should do their best to find it!
5. People who have a connection to a particular country
For example, if you have been to New Zealand on a trip or working holiday, the best gift for you would be New Zealand wine.
If you enjoy touring France's World Heritage sites, choose French wine (Champagne is perfect), but if you're going to an American music festival, choose American wine.
This will be truly appreciated.
6. Your spouse or close friend likes wine
The person who received the gift doesn't drink it, but someone close to that person enjoys it. This is no longer covered in the preference survey, so...
Stick with champagne and you'll be fine !
So in the end, Champagne is the best wine.
That's right. Champagne has many elements that make it a suitable gift.
However, I still want to introduce "NZ wine"!
Please let me know about NZ wines too!
Yes, I definitely recommend it!
3 New Zealand wines to give as gifts
Here are our top 3 recommended New Zealand wines for gifts!
Rippon Mature Vine Pinot Noir
| Winery Name | Rippon |
|---|---|
| Grape variety | Pinot Noir |
| Origin | Central Otago |
| Vintage | 2017 |
| Suggested retail price | 5,830 yen (tax included) |
Rippon is a family-run winery located in Central Otago, New Zealand's renowned Pinot Noir producing region.
It is a pioneer in the region, with the oldest vineyards.
Many New Zealand Pinot Noirs have a bright, fruity flavor, but this wine is different; it has a gentle, savory flavor that naturally complements food.
This is a highly ripe Pinot Noir, so even those who like the rich flavors of Bordeaux-style wines will be satisfied.
This is a must-try for red wine lovers.
Kimura Cellars Sauvignon Blanc
The vintage of the photos may vary.
| Winery Name | Kimura Cellars |
|---|---|
| Grape variety | Sauvignon Blanc |
| Origin | Marlborough |
| Vintage | 2019 |
| Suggested retail price | 3,740 yen (tax included) |
Kimura Cellars has been run by Japanese producers Shigehisa and Mieko Kimura since 2009.
This Sauvignon Blanc is very fruity, with an aroma and flavor reminiscent of freshly picked citrus fruits, and is a wine that fully expresses the character of the Marlborough region.
The Kimura Cellars logo, which is also featured on the label, is a cherry blossom depiction of the new buds of a fern called "koru", which is native to New Zealand.
This col (fern) has meanings such as "new beginning" and "harmony," and Kimura's wine is often served on wedding anniversaries and other special occasions.
Cloudy Bay Tecoco
| Winery Name | Cloudy Bay |
|---|---|
| Grape variety | Sauvignon Blanc |
| Origin | Marlborough |
| Vintage | 2016 |
| Suggested retail price | 7,722 yen (tax included) |
Te Koko is a premium wine produced by Cloudy Bay , a well-known New Zealand wine producer.
Although it uses Sauvignon Blanc, the aroma and flavor are not simply fruity; they have a complex, deep flavor and a rich feel.
This wine is aged in oak barrels for a whopping three years. This is a very unusual way of making it, as most Sauvignon Blanc in New Zealand is fermented and aged in stainless steel tanks and has a short aging period.
This white wine stands out among NZ wines!
Now let's take a look at some situations in which it is appropriate to give wine as a gift.
When is a good time to give a gift?
Wine is commonly given as a gift for celebrations and events such as:
- birthday
- wedding
- Business celebrations (promotions, business openings, anniversary parties, etc.)
- Seasonal events (Christmas, Valentine's Day, etc.)
- Anniversary/milestone celebrations (wedding anniversary, coming of age ceremony, silver wedding anniversary, etc.)
Apart from the standard occasions mentioned above, when you want to show a little gratitude, you can casually give a small sized bottle of wine like a half bottle. This is also very classy.
I see! So depending on the wine you choose, it can be used in a wide range of situations, from a simple token of appreciation to a special celebration .
There are more occasions than I thought where wine can be given as a gift.
That's right.
Wine is an easy gift to give, but the classic is probably Champagne!
The classic gift is "champagne"
When it comes to wine gifts, champagne is a must.
"Champagne is the classic wine gift."
"When in doubt, Champagne"
It's good to remember this.
It's nice to have standard items so it's easier to choose!
Also, I've been saying "champagne" all this time... The correct word is "Champagne" (laughs).
That's right, the name that is closest to the French pronunciation is "Champagne". In English it's "Champaigne".
Champagne is a sparkling wine produced in the Champagne region of France. It is a luxury wine that is loved all over the world and is a standard at celebratory occasions.
Because it is brewed using a very time-consuming process called "secondary fermentation in the bottle," the cheapest price is around 3,000 yen. Well-known brands usually cost around 5,000 yen, and there are many high-end products that cost tens of thousands of yen.
In other words, if you give champagne, you are subtly conveying that it is a gift of a certain amount of money (laughs).
If you want to give a lighter gift, we also recommend a half bottle of champagne . It's not half the price, but it's a little easier to buy than a full bottle.
A half bottle of Champagne adds a casual touch to high-quality wine, making it the perfect gift for a subtle occasion!
So far we have looked at how to choose wine, but are there any taboos that you should avoid?
Here are some things you should avoid to avoid making mistakes when giving a gift!
For those who don't want to make a mistake! A list of wine gift no-no's
Many people are concerned about this, but I don't think there are many rules when it comes to wine that say "this is not allowed" or "that is not allowed."
However, here are a few points of etiquette you should be aware of.
Things to keep in mind when gifting wine:
- Avoid storing in an environment where temperature changes are likely to occur.
- Avoid vibration as much as possible.
- Choose a wine that is within the right price range for a gift.
These are the three points:
Wine is a delicate type of alcoholic beverage that is sensitive to temperature changes and vibrations. It can also be said to be vulnerable to external stresses.
So, if you're wondering "what should I be careful of?", you should first pay attention to "not placing it in an environment where the temperature changes" and "not exposing it to vibrations."
For example, please avoid leaving the wine in a hot car in the summer or carrying it for a long time in a bicycle basket. Even if you have a delicious wine, if you store it poorly, you will end up giving it to someone in a deteriorated state.
Next, regarding the price range, wines priced under 2,000 yen are probably not suitable as gifts .
Of course, there are plenty of delicious wines that cost less than 2,000 yen. As long as the gift conveys the giver's thoughts, such as "I want to give this wine because I think it's delicious" or "I want the recipient to know that this is a wine with great value for money," the price can be anything .
However, it is true that many wines under 2,000 yen are made for "everyday consumption ." In terms of "celebration" and "occasion," they are closer to "occasion." It is not true that the more expensive the wine, the better it tastes, but on the other hand, there is no doubt that the satisfaction with the taste tends to increase once the price exceeds a certain level. The first line of that "certain price" is 2,000 yen.
Of course, wine is ultimately a luxury item, and taste preferences vary greatly from person to person.
No matter what you choose, it's not guaranteed that you'll be "highly satisfied," but when the market price exceeds 2,000 yen, the number of wines that satisfy you increases. When it exceeds 3,000 yen, there are even more delicious wines, and when it exceeds 5,000 yen, the number of people who find the wine "a miss" becomes very small, or so I feel.
Finally, for those who love wine, we have some gifts other than wine!
For wine lovers, there are also wine glasses and other gifts available.
For those who love wine, we recommend not only wine but also wine accessories as gifts.
Riedel Glasses
Image source: Riedel
Riedel is a long-established wine glass manufacturer founded in Austria over 260 years ago.
They were the first in the world to propose "using a different glass for each wine grape variety to enjoy the aroma and flavor together," and this is still widely accepted in the wine industry today.
This is a classic wine glass that everyone in the wine industry knows. It's also a great gift for wine lovers!
Sommelier knife
As the name suggests, a sommelier knife is a knife used by sommeliers to open wine, but it has now become widely used for enjoying wine in ordinary households as well.
A sommelier knife would also be a great gift for a wine lover.
I recommend the Laguiole en Aubrac sommelier knife, which I also use.
"Laguiole" is the name of a small village in France where craftsmen who make sommelier knives and cutlery gather.
It may be easier to understand if you imagine it as a place similar to the Tsubame-Sanjo region of Niigata in Japan.
Wow! This sommelier knife was born in a craftsmanship village.
They will be happy to receive a gift of a tool that can be used for a long time!
The Laguiole en Aubrac sommelier knife features a beautiful curve that fits the hand perfectly and makes it easier to hold steady when removing the cork.
Interesting wine cork goods
Finally, here is a little extra: some mischievous wine accessories.
Wine lovers tend to collect wine corks. However, some people have trouble storing them because they don't have any particular use for them. For those people, it might be a good idea to use the corks you have collected as cute interior decorations!
Image source: plywood Animal Looker
I didn't know there were such products (lol) Using cork as interior decor is such an interesting idea! It's kind of soothing~♡
summary
What did you think? Do you have a better idea of how to choose wine?
Wine is a gorgeous item that makes a perfect gift, but it can often seem intimidating.
But there's no need to think too hard about it. Just relax a little, think about the person you want to give the wine to, and enjoy the time you spend choosing it.
That time is the best part of giving a gift!
We hope that choosing wine for you will be a fun and meaningful experience!
Also, if you want to know more about recommended wines from New Zealand, please refer to the article below.
We introduce a wide range of wines, from small presents to wines that can be given as gifts on special occasions!
