Picking out that perfect gift is never easy, but we’re trying to make it a lot easier for you with our First Annual Top 5 Christmas Gifts for the Wine Lover list. We’ve researched through 100’s of wine blogs, retailer sights, and catalogues to bring you what we feel is the best of the best that 2016 has to offer. There are so many useful and fun wine gadgets out there this year, we had a hard time narrowing it down to just 5. We tried to cover a wide range of price points and categories with our list. Without further ado here is our top 5 wine gifts for 2016:
1. A Cora vin
If the oenophile on your list doesn’t already have one, a Coravin is THE gift for 2016! Yes, these retail between $199.95 and $349.95 depending on what model is the best fit for your recipient’s needs. Because of the steep price, it might not be the perfect gift for everyone on your list but for that special someone who is hard to shop for, this is the answer. This little miracle worker enables you to pour wine without pulling the cork. The patented state-of-the-art technology allows the wine to flow out without oxygen getting in. This seriously slows down the oxidation process and allows wine to be stored for weeks and even months between glasses. This is the 2016 must have wine gadget for all aspiring wine geeks. They will love showing off this gadget at your next gathering.
2. Stemless Fountain Aerating Wine Glass Set
This is what we like to call here a toy for adults. This beautiful piece of stemless glassware is a great conversation starter. This gift is the perfect combination of form and function. At $56.00 a glass, it’s a great middle-of-the-road price point gift. It aerates your wine as soon as you pour it in your glass. This is great for those nights when you get home from work and don’t want to wait for the wine to decant before enjoying it. We also love that it saves you from having to clean out a decanter which is always such a process. They are also dishwasher safe, making them the perfect work week companion. The set includes 2 glasses and makes a great gift for anyone on your list.
3. Personalized Corkscrew Wine Opener or
No-one ever has too many corkscrews, so what better gift than a beautiful, personalized one. Etsy is a great place to browse for the style and look you’re wanting. If you search Etsy for “personalized corkscrew” you’ll find hundreds of options. They have different wood types, available fonts, and sizes. I recommend checking the measurements to make sure it’s a standard size corkscrew and read the reviews to make sure it’s sturdy and well-made.
4. Humorous Wine Tags or Wine Glass Writers
Seriously, how fun are wine tags? Anyone who likes to entertain and serve wine knows the importance of have lots and lots of wine tags available. If you don’t have enough wine tags, way too much good wine gets wasted and you need a lot more glasses for everyone, which also means more dishes to do after the party. With a price point of just $15.95 these wine tags make a perfect stocking stuffer or gift exchange present. Redwood & Vine offers lots of options and styles to choose from for every one on your list. The designer, Kristen Juckiewicz, lives in Napa and all her designs reflect that laid back but elegant wine country lifestyle.
Another fun way of keeping tabs on your wine is with wine glass Writers. They are non-toxic ink pens you can use to write your name directly on your glass. They wash easily with soap and warm water but don’t smudge while you use them. They can also be used to label hors d’oeuvres on ceramic and plastic. You can get them in packs of 2 or 3 and assorted fun colors for under $10.
5. Engraved Wine Glass
You would think that engraving a wine glass, which itself can be expensive, would be cost prohibitive. That’s not the case. There are plenty of options for the budget conscientious and the ones who can spend a little. I’ve seen them selling for as low as a dollar. Personally I would pay up. It’s a great gift that shows that you took the time to order the item well in advance, and to be thoughtful about the gift, and even to give them something to remember you by!
What fun and functional gifts have you found for the wine lover on your list this year? We’re always looking for new, unique ideas to share with our readers so please post yours in the comment section below. Happy shopping and Merry Christmas!