Best Gifts for Wine Lovers (2023)

As a writer who works for a wine importer and moonlights pouring bottles at a natural wine bar in Brooklyn (hello, independent living), I try dozens of wines a week, often trying several in a single day. I know what grapes and producers I like, and I buy bottles for myself impulsively (read: with my own advice). Although I love when friends bring us a special bottle to share during the holidays, I already have a lot to do. Or at least I would, if I could find a wine corkscrew in my cluttered kitchen.

I never thought I’d buy all the paraphernalia that would dramatically enhance my wine drinking: my glassware is a chaotic jumble of shapes and sizes, most of which are pocketed – or collected – from my favorite wine bars, and since I don’t have the space for them… Enough in my fridge to store my bottles, I’m guilty of chilling wine with ice sometimes. I last did it while working at a wine harvest in Alsace, France, and when the winemaker caught me I swore I would never commit the crime again.

However, I am Still I didn’t buy myself a set of wine stones

Most wine lovers I know go the same way, spending on bottles rather than proper storage or other practical wine accessories. If you’re someone who loves wine, know that the best gifts are things they wouldn’t buy for themselves: top-notch stemware, books that delve into leading producers, and a centerpiece-worthy decanter are great places to start. For those deeply touched by the spirit of giving, signing up for The Vines — a luxury wine club that whisks members away on intimate, far-reaching wine adventures for an unofficial initiation fee of $25,000 — will be appreciated by your wine-loving friends. If you’re looking to make new friends, stop by Frog Wine Bar to say hello. Until then, read on to see some of the best gifts for wine lovers you can buy this year.

Nerdy wine book

Having worked in a few vineyards, I can confidently say that wine tastes better when you know the person making it. A long time ago Food and wine Editor Ray Aile has spent the past several years doing just that. His first book paints intimate portraits of sustainably-minded winemakers from around the world, from natural wine pioneers in Austria to long-standing family-run vineyards in Oregon’s Willamette Valley. It’s a volume that will introduce you to your new favorite wines, which of course pair beautifully with the book.

Fine wine key

The wine lover in your life probably already has a corkscrew or two, but as someone who loses one in her tote bag on a weekly basis, I promise there’s no such thing as having too many wine openers. This wine corkscrew – different from the bulky and boring double-lever corkscrew – is compact, stylish, and made of durable stainless steel and plywood. It is made by the famous French brand Château Laguiole, and comes with a stylish leather case for easy carrying.

Coordinated wine package

Part subscription service, part retailer, purchasing from The Waves is like having your own personal natural wine concierge. If you’re not sure which bottles to gift to a friend, they’ll make sure that it’s not just the thought that matters, but the taste as well. The site, founded by award-winning somms, offers collections of expertly curated wines that are free of chemicals and additives. My favorite group of three is The Wild Bunch, which includes young wines, orange wines, and chilled red wines — aka the holy trinity of fun, easy-drinking wines. For a gift that keeps on giving, consider a monthly subscription of two, six, or twelve bottles.

A tool that keeps open wine fresh for weeks

If you’re looking forward to opening a bottle of wine but don’t think you’ll finish it, I would say a) invite me or b) invest in Coravin. This revolutionary device keeps wine tasting fresh for up to four weeks, meaning you can serve yourself by the glass or even host a tasting at home with a flight of your favorite wine (again, invite me!). It’s very easy to use: simply replace the cork or cap with the included pivot stopper. When you’re ready to revisit the bottle, insert the pivot device, invert the bottle, press the button, and marvel at how good your wine tastes weeks later.

Custom wine tote

If your friend is always the one who carries the wine to the party or park picnic, the least you can do is thank him with a bag that will make his life easier. This monogram canvas bag fits up to four bottles, and helps prevent them from colliding thanks to the inner lining. You can customize the monogram as well as the color of the strap.

Custom wine label

corny? Yes. Breathtaking? Yes too. A custom wine label is whatever you want it to be: a serious engagement celebration, a quick snapshot of your lover, or a silly selfie of you and your best friend after one too many bottles.

Wine refrigerator

I may not have a lifetime’s worth of Bordeaux wine collection, but I have a kid-sized refrigerator in my Brooklyn apartment, and playing Tetris with all my groceries and bottles of wine was a headache. Creating a wine cooler has given me plenty of room to store my wine, and the split zone makes it easy to set the top and bottom section to different temperatures to suit a variety of wines. Since my kitchen is small, I use the top of the radiator as extra counter space, and decorate it with plants and books. Plus, if I get desperate or run out of wine (one at a time, I guess), I can always use it to store shoes, Carrie Bradshaw-style.

Some nice wine glasses

When it comes to gifting glassware, there are two options: a branded mug from your friend’s favorite wine bar, or this set of elegant tulip mugs from Riedel. Get rid of stem pots that are too bulging or delicate, which take up too much space and often look too precious to use. Instead, choose a beautiful and practical option that can be used for both red and white wine. I love these products because they are dishwasher safe and durable enough to use repeatedly. They’re elegant, but not pretentious.

Artistic beaker

The decanters do a great job of separating sediment from the wine while also looking exciting on the dining room table. I like the wraparound design of this borosilicate glass from Wine Enthusiast, which looks like a middle school science experiment gone wrong. Even friends who don’t enjoy wine will enjoy watching the grape juice circulate through the double helixes, which decant the wine while oxygenating it, resulting in fuller flavors and aromas.

Wine stones

look, I You won’t be judged if you put ice in your wine, but someone else will. To give your glass that fresh, refreshing feeling without risking the sight of a French winemaker, choose a set of stainless steel stoners. It cools the wine quickly without diluting it or imparting any unwanted flavors.