As Featured In Red Mill Living
Holiday Wine Gift Guide
by Seth White - VB Neighbor + Sommelier
A bottle of wine makes a great gift both for the holidays or as a host gift for the many parties and dinners of the season. Whether your recipient is a seasoned collector or a casual enthusiast, this guide offers ideas for every budget and taste.
Bubbles
If you don’t know what kind of wine your recipient likes, bubbles are a safe pick because there will always be a reason to celebrate, whether it is New Year’s Eve, an anniversary, birthday, or just getting together with good friends!
Champagne is considered the best region to grow and produce sparkling wine, and I would tend to agree. I would recommend you look for “Grower Champagnes” from smaller houses that are family owned and grow their own fruit rather than buying from many different farmers. You will get better quality for a lower price than the big brand names because you’re not paying for the label and advertising budget. Some growers to seek out include Jean Vesselle, Michel Turgy, and Lancelot Royer.
For a delicious and budget-friendly alternative, choose a Cremant (made like a Champagne but from other regions in France), a Cava from Spain, or a fruity Prosecco from Italy. Some specific bottles to seek out include Aguila Cremant de Limoux Rose, Ya Cuvee 23 Reserva Cava, and Pizzolato Muse Prosecco.
Crowd-Pleasers
Besides sparkling wine, there are some wines that are known for being easy drinking and generally liked by most wine drinkers.
For white wines, an Italian Pinot Grigio or French Sauvignon Blanc are classics that most people will enjoy. Some wines I love include Tommasi Pinot Grigio, and Blanchet Pouilly Fume or Pierre Prieur Sancerre for Sauvignon Blanc.
For red wine, a Pinot Noir or Zinfandel are nice options that tend to be softer and have less tannins. A red blend like a Côtes du Rhône is also a nice winter wine, pairing well with holiday meals. Some wines I love include Ancient Oak Pinot Noir and Acorn Zinfandel from Sonoma, and Clos du Caillou Garrigues Côtes du Rhône from France.
For the Serious Wine Lover
For the serious wine lover, focus on bottles with complexity and age-worthiness. These are wines meant to be savored and perhaps even cellared. Some classic options include Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley, Burgundy or Chateauneuf de Pape from France, and Barolo or Brunello from Italy. Some of my favorites producers include Meyer Family Cellars and Reynolds
Family Winery for Napa Cabs, Xavier Besson for both red and white Burgundy, Clos Mont Olivet for Chateauneuf du Pape, Massucco for Barolo and Pietroso for Brunello di Montalcino.
Tools, Accessories and Gourmet Products for a Wine Lover:
-A Coravin preservation system allows them to pour a single glass without pulling the cork.
-A blown glass decanter for opening aged wines or just big wines that need extra air to open up.
-A nice set of wine glasses are always a nice touch. I tend to prefer the Riedel brand for glasses with stems but I love a good stemless glass for casual drinking and dishwasher friendliness.
-A gourmet basket with chocolates, nuts, cheese or charcuterie for pairing with your wines.
For the serious wine lover, focus on bottles with complexity and age-worthiness.
Custom Wine Boxes
If you know what kind of wines the gift recipient likes, myself or any wine professional at a local wine shop can help build a custom box and give your giftee the opportunity to discover some new favorite wines. We will ask you a few questions about preference on white, red, sparkling, sweet, or a mix and the style of wine they typically drink.
If you are interested in building a curated wine box, would like to acquire any of the wines listed above, or have any questions, please contact Seth @ [email protected]
Seth is a Sommelier living in Virginia Beach. He received his Level 3 Advanced Certification with Distinction while living in NYC. He has been working in the wine business for over 15 years and has been involved with multiple aspects of the industry including restaurant, retail, wholesale, import and even a harvest in New Zealand.
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