Gift for the wine lover7 tips that aren't a bottle of wine
Buying a gift for a wine enthusiast is difficult. You stand at the liquor store, staring at the shelves and realize you have no idea what they like. Do they like austere or fruity? Do they already have this vintage? Is this wine "too cheap"?
The truth is this: A true wine enthusiast often prefers to choose their bottles themselves. The risk of you buying the wrong one is high, and the risk that the wine will just end up sitting in a cupboard is even higher.
That is why the best gift for a wine lover is rarely the wine itself – but the experience around it. Here are 7 tips for gifts that are guaranteed to be used.
A wine tasting out of the ordinary
This is the ultimate gift for the person who "has everything". Wine is about memories and flavors. Getting to go to a professional tasting in a real wine cellar is an experience that beats a bottle of Rioja any day of the week.
At Vinvalvet in Gothenburg, we offer tastings in a unique, private setting. Here, the recipient gets the chance to taste wines they might never have bought themselves, guided by an expert.
Coravin – The wine nerd's best friend
If the recipient likes to drink fine wines, but rarely wants to open a whole bottle on a Tuesday night, this is the solution. A Coravin is a device that inserts a thin needle through the cork and replaces the wine you pour with argon gas.
The result? You can have a glass of your most expensive wine, and save the rest of the bottle for months or years. It's a game changer for anyone who collects wine.
"The Durand" (For those who like old wine)
Do you know someone who ages wine for 10 or 20 years? Then you know that old corks often crumble when you try to open them with a regular corkscrew.
The Durand is a special type of opener designed to save old, fragile corks. It is expensive, specific and signals that you really understand their hobby.
The right glass for the right grape
Many drink fantastic wines from mediocre glasses. A really good wine glass should be thin, light and shaped to lift the aroma. Getting a 2-pack of Riedel Veritas or the mouth-blown Zalto glasses is a luxury few treat themselves to.
Safe bet: A "Pinot Noir" glass (large bowl) or a "Riesling" glass.
Blind tasting bags (Socks)
Want to give a fun thing for the dinner party? Buy "blind" tasting bags (black cloth bags that you slip over the bottle). It turns any dinner into a guessing game. Who can guess the grape? Is it expensive or cheap?
Knowledge in book form
The World Atlas of Wine
The wine world's bible by Hugh Johnson & Jancis Robinson. The maps are works of art in themselves.
Wine Folly
A more graphic, easy-to-read book that is perfect for those who want to learn the basics quickly.
The ultimate gift: Their own wine locker
If you really want to go big – give a home for their wines. Many wine lovers struggle with a lack of space at home. The closet is full and their partner complains about bottles everywhere.
Giving a membership with us at Vinvalvet (or paying for the first 6 months of a wine locker) is giving peace of mind. Then they know their treasures are stored safely, at the right temperature and humidity, right in central Gothenburg. Plus, they get access to our member lounge.