As expected, sweets and cosmetics are popular gifts, but if the person you're giving the gift to likes wine, why not try something a little different this year and give them a delicious bottle of wine?
Wine is an alcoholic drink that enriches the dining table. In other words, giving wine as a gift is a way of wishing the recipient a rich and enjoyable mealtime, which I think is a wonderful gesture.
However, when it comes to choosing a wine, there are a huge number of varieties available in Japan, so many people may find it difficult to know which one to choose. In this article, Iwasu, the sommelier who oversees this website, will introduce some tips on how to choose and some recommended wines for those who want to give wine as a gift on White Day.
In this article, we will focus on New Zealand wines, which are a favorite of sommelier Iwasu.
New Zealand is attracting a lot of attention from wine fans around the world as a producer of high-quality wine, but not many people in Japan are yet aware of the high quality of the wine.
For White Day this year, why not choose a New Zealand wine that is both rare and delicious ?
If you would like to know more about NZ wine, please see the feature article below.
▶ What kind of wine is New Zealand wine? Its characteristics and history
At the end of this article, we will also tell you some trivia about White Day, such as its origin and the meaning of return gifts. If you are interested, please read to the end.
Why wine is a great gift. What is the going rate and what should you be careful of when giving it?
Reasons why we recommend it
There are three reasons why wine is a great gift for White Day.
- Wine is a gorgeous drink and makes a great gift.
- It is less likely to be the same as someone else's, making it more memorable.
- By focusing on labels and vintage items, you can also convey a message.
In many European countries, wine is consumed on a daily basis, but in Japan, there are not many people who drink wine every day. If anything, wine is more likely to be thought of as something to drink on special occasions such as birthdays, Christmas, and weddings.
In that sense, wine creates a sense of specialness in everyday life, making it a perfect gift item.
Also, unlike standard return gifts such as sweets, cosmetics, and handkerchiefs, your gift is less likely to be the same as a gift given by someone else , so it is more likely to leave a lasting impression on the recipient.
Furthermore, by paying attention to the wine's vintage (the year the grapes were harvested) and label, you can include messages that would be difficult to convey directly.
It's also recommended for those who want to subtly convey their feelings!
White Day gift prices
The standard price for White Day gifts is generally between the same amount and two or three times the amount for someone special, such as a girlfriend or wife. Also, for friends or coworkers, it is said that the same amount or a little more is best in return for so-called obligatory chocolates.
However, if you choose wine as a White Day gift, you need to be a little careful. Wine in the 1,000 yen range is the price range for what is known as "daily wine." If you receive a Valentine's gift in the 1,000 yen range and give a wine in the 1,000 yen range in return, it may come across as a little too casual.
When it comes to wine, the number of high-quality wines increases significantly when you reach the 2,000 yen or higher price range. If possible, try to choose wines that cost 2,000 yen or more.
Furthermore, if you want to convey a special feeling, aiming for around 5,000 yen will greatly increase the chances of the gift being memorable to the recipient.
Things to note and how to choose a wine that will please you
When giving wine as a gift, it is best to first check whether the recipient likes wine. After all, you've spent a fair amount of time and money choosing a wine, so you want to be careful not to give it to someone who doesn't like wine.
Once you have successfully confirmed that the other person likes wine, the next step is to casually research their preferences. If you can get a rough idea of their preferences from drinking together or conversations, you can find a gift that is a little higher grade than the wine they usually drink, or a rare wine, and they will be happy.
If possible, try to find out the other person's preferences, such as whether they like sparkling wine, white wine, red wine, or can drink anything. However, the key is to be casual about it (laughs).
Now, starting with sparkling wine, we will introduce the features of each wine and recommended brands.
The best recommendation is "sparkling wine"
The first wine gift I would like to introduce is of course sparkling wine. It is a classic gift for birthdays and anniversaries, and is also recommended as a return gift for White Day.
Just one bottle of fizzy wine instantly brightens up your dinner table, making it a great choice for special dinners such as celebrations. Sparkling wine made using the Champagne method is particularly known for the beautiful, fine bubbles that rise when poured into a glass, and these bubbles that continue to rise without interruption are said to be a symbol of a "long-lasting, good relationship."
It would be nice to subtly convey the sentiment "Let's maintain a long-lasting, good relationship" in your White Day gift.
It would be even better if you could toast together with the sparkling wine you gave them! The beautiful bubbles rising endlessly from the bottom of the glass will surely create a romantic mood.
However, it might be a bit pretentious to explain to her face that "I chose this with the hope that we will be together forever and ever" (laughs).
Sparkling wine is not only visually appealing, but is also known to pair well with a wide range of food. It can be paired with a variety of dishes, from appetizers to main courses and desserts, regardless of whether they are Japanese, Western, or Chinese, so it is a great gift for anyone, regardless of their food preferences.
Among these sparkling wines, we would like to recommend these two:
Mimi Methode Traditionelle NV
| Winery Name | Wine Portfolio |
|---|---|
| Grape variety | 51% Pinot Noir, 39% Chardonnay, 10% Pinot Meunier |
| Origin | Hawke's Bay |
| Vintage | Non-Vintage |
| Suggested retail price | 2,915 yen (tax included) |
The cute label also makes it a perfect gift! A very fruity and gorgeous sparkling wine with a strong green apple flavor.
It is made using the same method as champagne, so you can fully enjoy the delicate bubbles.
Cloudy Bay Perolus NV
| Winery Name | Cloudy Bay |
|---|---|
| Grape variety | 60% Chardonnay, 40% Pinot Noir |
| Origin | Marlborough |
| Vintage | Non-Vintage |
| Suggested retail price | 4,546 yen (tax included) |
This is authentic New Zealand sparkling wine. Cloudy Bay, which represents New Zealand, is famous for its white still wine Sauvignon Blanc, but its sparkling wines are also of very high quality.
It has a distinctive brioche aroma reminiscent of champagne, and a crisp citrus acidity and fruity notes like apple and plum.
Choose white wine with a gorgeous aroma
If the person you are giving the gift to likes white wine, be sure to choose a wine that has a strong, gorgeous aroma. Many people who like wine enjoy not only the taste but also the aroma of the wine. If you are giving a gift, it is best to choose a wine that has a strong, gorgeous aroma.
New Zealand white wines are truly a treasure trove of wines with a gorgeous aroma.
In particular, Sauvignon Blanc, the country's signature variety, has such strong fruity and herbal flavors that it is difficult to forget once you've smelled it, making it easy to leave a lasting impression on others.
Here we will introduce some New Zealand white wines with strong aromas.
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) |
It is one of the most famous New Zealand wines in Japan. Its price and taste are both prestige class. Just pour it into a glass and the gorgeous aroma of grapefruit, passion fruit, herbs and more will instantly spread.
The crisp acidity, pleasant herbal flavor, and bitter aftertaste make this a perfect New Zealand wine. It's a perfect gift.
MaMaison Martinborough Chardonnay 2018
| Winery Name | Ma Maison |
|---|---|
| Grape variety | Chardonnay |
| Origin | Wairarapa, Martinborough |
| Vintage | 2018 |
| Suggested retail price | 4,950 yen (tax included) |
Another recommended white wine is a selection from the world-famous Chardonnay variety. This wine has a well-balanced combination of fruity flavors like pear and plum, and a fragrant almond aroma from the wooden barrels.
It is especially recommended for those who like a mellow taste.
When choosing red wine, it is essential to research your preferences beforehand!
If you like red wine, you'll want to give a delicious bottle of red wine, but there's one thing you should be careful of when choosing it. That is, when it comes to red wine, people have very different preferences for the weight of the wine.
This is a bit of a personal opinion, but from my experience sitting at a wine bar asking customers about their preferences, I don't get the impression that there are many people who say they like any kind of red wine. Rather, I get the strong impression that customers can be divided into two groups: those who like light to medium-bodied wines, and those who like medium-bodied to heavy, full-bodied wines .
Here, "light" means that the color is slightly light, the alcohol content is not high, and the astringency is not strong. "Heavy (full-bodied)" means that the wine is rich, has a high alcohol content, and is also astringent. Medium-bodied refers to a wine that is in between these two.
Furthermore, people who like light wines tend to dislike full-bodied wines, and people who like full-bodied wines tend to find light wines lacking .
So, if you are giving red wine as a gift, it is a good idea to find out in advance whether the recipient is one of these types. If you are not sure, it is better to choose a medium-bodied red wine.
If you are able to research, try asking questions like, "When it comes to red wine, do you prefer light, medium or heavy?"
So, let's start by introducing wines for people who like light to medium-bodied wines.
Palliser Estate Pencarrow Pinot Noir 2018
| Winery Name | Palliser Estate |
|---|---|
| Grape variety | Pinot Noir |
| Origin | Hawke's Bay |
| Vintage | 2018 |
| Suggested retail price | 4,235 yen (tax included) |
Martinborough is said to have the closest climate to Burgundy in New Zealand. Palliser is a pioneer of environmentally friendly wineries. This Pinot is characterized by its very soft flavor.
The artistic and stylish label is also a highlight.
Next up is a wine for those who like medium-bodied to full-bodied wines.
Osawa Wines Prestige Collection Cabernet Sauvignon & Merlot 2013
| Winery Name | Osawa Wines |
|---|---|
| Grape variety | Cabernet Sauvignon 50% Merlot 50% |
| Origin | Hawke's Bay |
| Vintage | 2013 |
| Suggested retail price | 5,500 yen (tax included) |
The bottle is heavy, and when you receive it, you will be expecting a rich flavor. And since the vintage is 2013, it has a slightly aged feel and a mellow, soft impression.
A very well-balanced wine, recommended for fans of full-bodied red wines.
Sweet wines are the gateway to the world of wine
If you don't usually drink much alcohol but are interested in wine and would like to give it a try, we recommend a gift of sweet wine. Sweet wines tend to have a lower alcohol content than dry wines, making them more approachable even for people who don't like strong alcohol.
The sweet wines introduced here are made by fermenting the sugars in the grape juice with yeast, then stopping the fermentation midway to leave the sugar behind. You can really taste the natural sweetness of the grapes.
Also, the bottles are small, at 500ml or 350ml, and will last for more than a month in the refrigerator after opening, so you can enjoy it a little at a time.
Of course, it also makes a great gift for people who love both wine and sweets. It pairs well with a wide range of sweets, so it might be a good idea to give it as a gift along with other sweets on White Day.
Green Songs Late Harvest Riesling (500ml) 2019
| Winery Name | Green Songs |
|---|---|
| Grape variety | Riesling |
| Origin | Wairarapa, Gladstone |
| Vintage | 2019 |
| Suggested retail price | 3,190 yen (tax included) |
This is a sweet wine with a very clean taste, made by Japanese winemaker Kohei Koyama in the North Island of New Zealand. The alcohol content is quite low at 9%. The characteristic green apple aroma of Riesling fills your nose.
The pure fruit flavor without any unpleasant taste will be enjoyed by a wide range of people. It is relatively light and refreshing to drink, so it also works well as an aperitif.
Greywacke Botrytis Pinot Gris (375ml) 2015
| Winery Name | Greywacke |
|---|---|
| Grape variety | Pinot Gris |
| Origin | Marlborough |
| Vintage | 2015 |
| Suggested retail price | 4,675 yen (tax included) |
This wine has an alcohol content of 13.8%. It is a sweet wine with a strong alcoholic taste. Botrytis is short for Botrytis cinerea, which refers to the noble rot fungus. This fungus grows only under special conditions, and it was made from grapes with a very complex flavor that were cultivated using this fungus.
The honey-like flavor pairs perfectly with blue cheese. If you are looking for a high-quality noble rot wine, this is a brand we highly recommend.
A high-class wine for a budget of over 10,000 yen that you would like to give to a wine lover
Wines that cost over 10,000 yen are, so to speak, "drinkable works of art." For many wine lovers, they are very special. At this price range, wines that clearly express the characteristics of the land, grapes, and wine maker are the most important, so the more of a wine fan you are, the more special the joy you will feel when you receive one.
Here we will introduce New Zealand's finest white wines, Chardonnay and red wines, Pinot Noir.
Neudorf Homeblock Moutere Chardonnay 2019
| Winery Name | Neudorf |
|---|---|
| Grape variety | Chardonnay |
| Origin | Nelson |
| Vintage | 2019 |
| Suggested retail price | 10,780 yen (tax included) |
This wine is New Zealand's finest Chardonnay.
This wine was chosen as the No. 1 Chardonnay of the year by Bob Campbell MW, a leading figure in the New Zealand wine world, and it combines a strong sense of concentration with the aroma of the oak at a high level. If you like white wine, you're sure to be impressed!
Atalangi Pinot Noir 2018
| Winery Name | Ata Rangi |
|---|---|
| Grape variety | Pinot Noir |
| Origin | Martinborough |
| Vintage | 2018 |
| Suggested retail price | 10,450 yen (tax included) |
Among the wines in Martinborough, which has soil conditions very similar to those of Burgundy, Atalangi boasts top-class quality. It is also known for using grapes from the Abel clone, which originated from Romanée-Conti.
If you like Pinot Noir, you should try this wine at least once. It has a very deep and complex flavor. "Atarangi" means "a new beginning" in Maori. This is a wine you should open to commemorate the start of something new.
Now, from here on, we will tell you some trivia that may be useful when choosing a White Day present!
Trivia 1. What is the origin of White Day?
Actually, White Day is an event that originated in Japan.
Unlike Valentine's Day, which is popular in Western countries as well, White Day is only deeply rooted as a cultural tradition in East Asian countries such as Japan, China, Taiwan, and Korea.
There are various theories about its origin, with the following three being the most likely.
① National Candy Industry Cooperative Association (Zenamekyo) theory
The National Candy Industry Cooperative Association established March 14th as the answer day to Valentine's Day and the day to give "candy," and made it into an event in 1980.
According to the All Japan Candy Association, the reason it was named White Day is because "white is a symbol of purity, perfect for the refreshing love of teenagers."
▶ National Candy Industry Cooperative Association (White Day page)
2. Ishimura Manseido theory
The second theory is that Ishimura Manseido created White Day. Ishimura Manseido is a long-established confectionery company founded in the Meiji era. In 1977, the president of Ishimura Manseido happened to come up with the idea after reading a girls' magazine, and the following year, they started "Marshmallow Day," a day when people give marshmallows in return for Valentine's Day gifts.
About seven or eight years after "Marshmallow Day" began, there was a request from department stores to spread the word that it should become a day for giving a wide range of gifts other than just marshmallows, so the name was changed to "White Day" after the marshmallows' white appearance.
▶ Ishimura Manseido (White Day page)
Fujiya/Eiwa theory
The third theory is that it began in 1973 when Fujiya launched a campaign called "Return Valentine" in collaboration with marshmallow manufacturer Eiwa, encouraging people to give marshmallows in return for Valentine's gifts.
Trivia 2. What is the meaning of White Day return gifts?
It is said that White Day gifts actually have meaning. In reality, few people care that much about them, but I'll introduce a little bit of trivia here.
| sweets | meaning |
|---|---|
| marshmallow | I hate you |
| Candy | I like you |
| cookie | You are a friend |
| Macaroons | You are a special person |
| chocolate | There is no special meaning |
| Madeleine | I want to maintain a good relationship |
| caramel | I feel safe when I'm with you |
| Baumkuchen | May your happiness last a long time |
Some of the meanings were a little surprising, but I just wanted to use them as a conversation piece!
summary
If you've read this far, you're probably thinking about choosing wine as a White Day gift. The time you spend seriously thinking about what gift the recipient will like is also part of the gift.
We hope that this page on "How to Choose the Perfect Wine for White Day" will be useful as a way to convey your feelings. Please enjoy choosing wine while imagining the smile on the recipient's face.
