Gifting for wine people is like paddling out on a surprise swell: the conditions look great, but if you don’t know what you’re doing, you’ll get worked. As Dominique Pariso puts it in The Strategist, “Serious wine drinkers tend to be picky, with fierce opinions about the best bottles.” — Dominique Pariso, The Strategist.
That’s why I love this list: it leans wine-adjacent. Instead of gambling on their favorite region or guessing their stance on chillable reds, it narrows in on the tools, snacks, and objects that support the ritual. Updated June 18, 2025, the guide is freshly tuned: “Added new gift ideas; updated prices and checked stock for all products.” — Dominique Pariso, The Strategist.
Practical gear with real upside
Electric openers aren’t just for your aunt’s condo anymore. Pros in the piece gush about a standout model with the kind of stamina you want for party season: “The price is right, it can go 80 hours without a charge.” — Dominique Pariso, The Strategist. Bonus: it comes with a vacuum-seal stopper, which is clutch for weeknights when the Pinot outlasts your pasta.
On the more budget-friendly side, Pariso flags a speedy crowd-pleaser (yes, the one T-Pain loves) that “opens bottles super-quickly and doesn’t leave behind any seal or cork.” — Dominique Pariso, The Strategist. Translation: no more wrestling matches with crumbly closures or digging foil shards out of your Merlot.
Make it beautiful (but useful)
If your recipient has more decanters than surfboards, go design-forward. The guide celebrates objects that double as art, like “a wine stopper that looks like a piece of art.” — Dominique Pariso, The Strategist. Think sculptural stoppers, handsome coasters, or barware that plays with silhouette and light. These hit that sweet spot between form and function—no shelf queens, just tactile pieces they’ll reach for.
Surprise-and-delight pairings
I’m fully onboard with the idea of gifting snacks. A well-chosen salty bite is an instant vibe—and yes, Pariso nudges us there with “unexpected, like a salty snack to pair with their favorite bottle.” — Dominique Pariso, The Strategist. Opt for small-batch potato chips, anchovy-studded crackers, or premium nuts. If they geek out on terroir, pair by texture: briny snacks with zippy whites, kettle chips with bubbles, smoky almonds with Rhône blends.
How to choose like a sommelier (without being one)
- Know their night: Weeknight sippers appreciate gear that streamlines. Party hosts love countertop workhorses (electric openers, efficient stoppers).
- Match the aesthetic: Modern minimalists? Sleek lines and clear crystal. Mid-century obsessives? Sculptural stoppers and warm metallics.
- Keep it flexible: Tools that improve any bottle—proper stems, aerators, or preservation—beat hyper-specific gimmicks nine times out of ten.
- Elevate the ritual: A compact bar mat, a beautiful tray, or thoughtful glassware can turn a kitchen counter into a tasting bar.
Why this list works
Pariso crowdsourced from sommeliers, winemakers, and shop owners—people who open and pour for a living. That perspective matters. It filters out novelty gadgets and amplifies stuff that actually gets used. It’s the difference between a gift that lives in a drawer and one that joins the nightly rotation.
Another plus: range. There’s the hero-tier electric opener with endurance, a wallet-friendly corkscrew with pop-star approval, and plenty of aesthetic upgrades for the design-minded. You can build a themed bundle: a reliable opener, a stopper that doubles as decor, and a snack pairing that winks at their favorite style. Wrap it up with a personal note (“Open Friday, preserve Saturday, snack all weekend”) and you’ve got a thoughtful, considered gift without guessing the exact bottle.
Bottom line? If your goal is to delight a wine lover, aim for the orbit around the bottle: tools that pour smoother, objects that look better, snacks that taste brighter. Pariso’s guide is a solid compass—get adjacent, get thoughtful, and let the corks fly.
Source: https://nymag.com/strategist/article/best-gifts-wine-lovers.html
