Let’s be real. Choosing a bottle of wine to gift someone can feel overwhelming. A lot of advice out there suggests splurging on expensive bottles, sometimes in the $50 to $100 range. That might work for some people, but not everyone has that kind of budget. I know I don’t, even though I’d love to be that fancy.
The good news is that wine doesn’t have to be pricey to be thoughtful. There are great options at every price point, and with a little intention, you can find something meaningful without breaking the bank.
Before you pick out a bottle, here are a few things to keep in mind so you feel confident about your choice.
Get to Know the Person
Think about who you’re buying the wine for. Do they even like wine? What styles do they gravitate toward? If you’re not sure, try asking them casually or have a mutual friend do a little recon.
Another thoughtful idea is to choose wine that connects to a place they love. If they’ve traveled to France or Italy and talk about it often, a bottle from that region could spark a happy memory. If they love Oregon or California wines, go that route.
If all else fails, bring a bottle that you enjoy. It gives you something to talk about, and you can share why you picked it.
Consider Your Budget
Set a price range before you start shopping. You probably don’t want to show up to a beautifully hosted dinner with a $6 bottle that doesn’t taste great. That said, if you genuinely found an affordable wine that drinks above its price, go for it.
In general, I’d say aim for the $10 to $25 range for most gifts. You can spend more for special occasions like weddings or major celebrations. Champagne or sparkling wine is a great choice when you want to make the gift feel festive.
Think About the Occasion
Not all wine gifts are created equal. A host gift for a dinner party might be different from a birthday or holiday gift. For something like Thanksgiving, a bottle that pairs well with the meal is a nice touch. Think Pinot Noir or Chardonnay to go with turkey.
If you’re celebrating a birthday and want to switch it up, consider a wine subscription gift card so they can choose their own bottles.
For wine lovers who already have a big collection, wine accessories are a great option. Fun glass charms, a unique decanter, or something personal from your favorite small wine brand can make a thoughtful impact. I put together a list of wine gift ideas here.
Stick With Safe Options When in Doubt
If you don’t know their preferences and can’t find out, your best bet is to go with a wine that’s easy to like. Pinot Noir is a safe red that pairs well with food and doesn’t overwhelm the palate. Pinot Grigio is a crisp white that’s usually a crowd pleaser.
Choosing wine for someone should be fun, not stressful. At the end of the day, it’s the thought and care that matters most.
This is very helpful! I sometimes want to gift wine to my wine drinker friends, but I myself don’t drink it and know nothing about it 🙂
I don’t care for too many wines – I like mine sweet, but find that most real wine drinkers do have preferences (bold, red, white, oak-y etc). It’s really hard to pick for a non-wine drinker. A great blog post would be an interactive one – pick 3 or 4 Walmart/Trader Joe’s/Walgreens brands available nationwide that you could have people taste showing the differences in flavors (this one has an oak tint, a chocolate, very bold, light and airy.) Then your readers would know what to pick if their host likes a bold red, they will understand what to pick too 9and maybe even willing to dirnk it at the event!) Can’t wait to see what you come up with!
This is super helpful for someone who loves wine but may not be super informed when bringing a bottle as a gift!