If you’re a wine lover, it is likely you have some friends, family members, or coworkers that are as well. And as wine lovers, nothing makes us more happy than sharing a clasically magnificent wine or a funky new discovery with our wine friends. But what’s the best way to gift wine? Let’s talk about it it.
There are various ways to gift wines, the most popular being via gift card, wine club subscription, or just buying a bottle and gifting it.
First, let’s talk wine subscriptions and clubs. As a member of a few wine clubs, I can actually say I would not want to be gifted a wine club membership to most wineries. There are a few reasons for this. First, I’m picky about my wine clubs and want a great experience. Second, wine clubs can be time consuming if they’re not local. Yes, you can have everything shipped, but part of the fun is being able to attend pick-up parties and members only events every now and then. If you want to gift a wine club membership, gift one that is not to a specific winery’s wine club. There are more and more of these popping up. They are often hosted by wine bars and wine shops and have several advantages over winery wine clubs. The one that sticks out the most is variety. Wine clubs and subscriptions that are not affiliated with a single winery offer diversity in wine and will allow your wine friend to receive a greater variety of wine.
Next, gift cards. These are usually a win for everyone. You can spend as little or as much as want and the person you’re gifting has control over their wine experience. Gift cards are also a great way to encourage people to explore wineries and wine shops they might not otherwise try. They can also often be used for experiences and events wineries hold, which is an added plus when gifting them.
Last but not least, gifting bottles of wine. This remains a popular choice and is especially true around the holidays as many people bring hostess gifts of wine. So where should you look? I’m glad you asked.
Trader Joe’s: Hear me out. Trader Joe’s is still that store. Its selections of affordable wines is still unmatched, but what I like most about it is the variety of international wines it has. So if you’d really like for your friend to try an Argentinian Malbec or Syrah, check Trader Joe’s.
Local wine shops: Buy local whenever you can. Wine is a great way to do it. Local wine shops usually offer local and non-local wines and offer top-notch customer service. When staff asks if they can help, they mean it and you should take advantage of it. Local shops often offer some type of wrapping or extra touch this time of year and can usually order hard-to-find items that may not be in stock.
Target: Target is a wine destination, not many people talk about it. It carries a huge selection of black-owned wine and offers discounts on four bottles or six bottles. I’m always amazed at how few people know this.
Urban wineries/tasting rooms: I love urban wineries and tasting rooms. So what are they? They are wineries located in “urban” areas, often pouring a variety of wines. These cool and comfy spots are great for having a chill time with friends and I often find myself wanting to share experiences at them with others whether that’s through gifting a wine I enjoyed there or a gift card so they can have the full experience.