10 Best Wine Gifts For Every Budget

Ho ho ho! Happy holidays, my fellow wine drinkers, and thanks for reading My Wine Tribe all year long. To show my deep affection and appreciation, I got you a little something: a guide to the 10 best wine gifts for this holiday season. I’ve tried to pick something for every kind of wine lover and in every price range. I hope it helps you find the perfect gifts.

For the Wine Geek

Recently, I was handed a black glass filled with wine and asked to identify what I was drinking. It was a mind-bending experience because, with these glasses, you can’t tell if the wine inside is red or white. If you have a wine geek in your life, black wine glasses are an awesome gift because they’ll give your wine-obsessed pal plenty to “research” and will be sure to stimulate conversation. Set of 4 for $44.50. 

For the Wine Drinking Comedian

OK, Ill admit it: I want a pair of these socks with a message, either to send a not-so-subtle signal to my family or simply to amuse myself. If you’re looking for the perfect gift for the wine drinker with a sense of humor, you can’t go wrong with wine socks. $13.

For the Yogi Who’d Rather Be Drinking Wine

Got friends who say they’re into yoga but really they’re more into wine? Get them this tank top so they can proudly admit that downing a glass of their favorite vino can in fact be better than downward dog. Namaste. $18.

For the Wine Drinker on the Go

If you have friends who are out and about with their wine in tow, why not help them out with this cool canvas wine tote? It holds two bottles and is designed to prevent the tell-tale clinking that makes it tough to be ultra-cool and undercover. They’ll love the looks of this streamlined bag and will be proud to walk around with it, silently. $22.

For the Entertainer/Imbiber

I love this olive tray made from a recycled wine bottle. It has a rustic elegance and it blends two joyous things: wine and olives. Your friends will dig it. I know I would (hint hint). $25.

For the Wine Drinker Who’s Attached to Their Phone

Got that friend whose mobile phone is like an extension of their body? Perhaps the only time they set it down is to take a sip of wine? If so, you can’t go wrong with this gift: an iPhone case with a cute wine motif. which is $16.

For the Wine Drinker Who Nests

If you have a friend who loves wine and decorating their nest, this wine rack and glasses holder is an ideal gift. It holds four glasses and up to five bottles, and you can personalize it with a monogram to boot. Since it hangs from the wall it doesn’t take up much room, which makes it even more perfect if your pal lives in a place where space is at a premium. $95.

For the Concerned Wine Drinker

If someone on your list has a streak of altruism, consider making a gift in their name to ¡Salud! ¡Salud! is a nonprofit organization that provides health care for vineyard workers in Oregon’s Willamette Valley.You can donate at multiple levels. Donating $100, for example, covers the cost of laboratory and diagnostic services for four people. Cheers to that!

For the Drinker Who Loves to Try New Wines

Once you know your friends’ wine tribe, you can give them a few favorite bottles based on their palate preferences. All the wines listed below have been taste-tested over the past year at our monthly blind tastings. If you’re not sure of your friend’s wine tribe, either get them to take the quiz or make an educated guess: on one end of the scale is the Accessible Tribe, which consists of folks who like lighter, delicate tastes and have a definite sweet tooth. On the other end is the Complex Tribe, which consists of people who dig big, bold tastes (think IPA beers, stinky cheese and super dark chocolate). And in between you have the Balanced and Developed Tribes. I’ve listed some wines below that have appealed to members of each tribe at our tastings. If you need more ideas, here are more recommendations.

Accessible Tribe:
Bisol Crede 2014 Prosecco Superiore D.O.C.G. $25.
Justin Monmousseau 2015 Rosé D’ Anjou, $13.
Dreaming Tree 2012 Crush, $17.

Balanced Tribe:
Louis Roederer Champagne, $47.
Costamolino Vermentino di Sardegna, $16.
Hahn SLH 2012 Pinot Noir, $20.

Developed Tribe:
Gruet Brut, $15.
Domaine William Fevre 2012 Chablis, $30.
Chateau Ste. Michelle 2012 Canoe Ridge Estate, $36.

Complex Tribe:
Gramona Gran Reserva 2011 Cava, $21.
Bodegas 2011 Muga Reserva, $25.
Kerloo Cellars 2012 Walla Walla Syrah, $40.

For the Wine Drinker You Want to Go Big On

If you want to impress, give a winery club subscription. While not cheap, this is the gift that keeps on giving—and who knows, perhaps you will be invited to share in the bounty. Two of my favorite clubs are Oregon’s Raptor Ridge Winery and Washington States’ Longshadows Vintners. Raptor Ridge focuses on Pinot Noir and consistently delivers wines that are balanced, elegant and delicious. A Raptor Ridge wine club subscription would be ideal for your friends in the Accessible or Balanced Tribes. If your friends are in the Developed or Complex Tribes, I suggest a subscription to Longshadows Winery, a unique partnership that pairs Washington’s premium grapes with some of the best winemakers in the world. There are a lot of expansive red wines coming from the folks at Longshadows, which is sure to make the Developed and Complex folks happy.

It’s all over but the wrapping for this year, folks. I hope these gift ideas will help you surprise and delight your loved ones. And I hope you and your friends and family have a joyous holiday season filled love, laughter and lots of wine. Cheers!