There’s nothing wrong with gifting a great bottle—trust me, I’m not turning down a silky Pinot—but sometimes the most memorable wine gifts live outside the glass. Town & Country’s roundup from Lauren Hubbard and Sophie Dweck serves up a buffet of clever, design-forward ideas for every kind of oenophile on your list. It’s like treating the wine lover to the whole lifestyle, not just what’s in the corked vessel.
Let’s start with the picnic MVP: a foldable mini table that doubles as a basket so your Brie and pét-nat have a chic landing pad. As the article puts it, "Get ready for some al fresco sipping with this cute personalized mini table" (Town & Country, Lauren Hubbard and Sophie Dweck). For anyone who lives for park hangs and beach sunsets, it turns clumsy blanket balancing acts into a civilized spread.
For the jet-set crowd, the VinGardeValise wine suitcase is basically armor for your favorite bottles. The editors highlight, "Whether it's buying bottles on their travels or bringing their own stash…" (Town & Country, Lauren Hubbard and Sophie Dweck), and the high-density foam means your Barolo survives baggage handlers with a vendetta. Pro tip: tuck tasting notes or winery maps into the case so they land ready to explore.
Speaking of home base, there’s an editor-loved smart fridge—Rocco—designed to keep your collection dialed to the right temp while looking more like furniture than an appliance. If you’re gifting to a design nerd who alphabetizes their varietals, this hits that sweet spot where form meets function. Bonus points if you slip in a couple bottles tailored to their palate so they can put it to work immediately.
On the analog side of the spectrum, Smythson’s hardbound cellar book is the kind of luxury notebook that makes tracking vintages feel ceremonial. It’s a great nudge to move those "I think we loved that Syrah?" memories into actual records. Monogram it, and you’ve turned a practical tool into a keepsake.
Wine isn’t just about what’s in the glass—it’s about what’s next to it. Murray’s Cheese curates a Cheers to Cheese Club designed specifically to play nice with wine, so your recipient gets monthly pairings like a creamy triple crème with Blanc de Blancs, or aged Gouda with a plummy Merlot. If you want to add your own spin, include a pairing card with your favorite combo and why it works (fat, salt, acidity—nature’s harmony trio).
For portable fun, there’s a colorful pill-shaped travel cooler that says "we’re having a good time" before the cork’s even popped. Toss in some reusable tumblers and a mini corkscrew, and you’ve gifted instant happy hour. And for the host with a love of French elegance, Maison Balzac’s decanter and wine set—adorned with delicate grape clusters—turns an ordinary pour into theater.
Want to keep everyone’s glass straight? Bedazzled bee wine charms add just enough sparkle to be cheeky without veering tacky. Pair them with a set of classy stems and a bottle of something conversation-worthy (skin-contact Pinot Gris, anyone?) and you’ve got a party starter kit.
Snacks? Wine Chips bring a high-low twist—small-batch potato chips riffing on cheesy flavors that play well with classic pairings. It’s a funny, delightful stocking stuffer that still nods to the oenophile’s sensibilities. For chill control without dilution, ANNA New York’s fluorite wine stones are both practical and flex-worthy on the bar cart. Keep them in the freezer, skip the ice, and let the gemstones do their thing.
Holiday sparkle isn’t just for glasses. A cabernet wine glass ornament adds seasonal whimsy, while an olive-shaped bottle stopper keeps opened bottles fresh—perfect for the martini-inclined wine lover. If your recipient is Team Rosé, a rose gold and pink sapphire wine glass charm leans into the "rosé all day" mantra without screaming it.
Rounding out the brainy side of the hobby, the Magnum Edition of Wine Folly is a legit master guide. It’s digestible, visual, and a great upgrade for anyone who’s ready to go beyond guessing at tasting notes and actually understand why a coastal vineyard hits different from a continental one.
My take: curate a mini ecosystem around how your person enjoys wine. For the outdoor romantic, do the picnic table basket plus a chilled Gamay and a lightweight wool throw. For the traveler, go suitcase + a wine region guidebook and TSA-approved corkscrew. For the home entertainer, smart fridge + bee charms + a decanter they can show off. Wrap it in reusable materials—linen tea towels, old maps as paper—and your gift has staying power far past the last pour.
Original article by Lauren Hubbard and Sophie Dweck for Town & Country.
Because sometimes the best wine gifts aren't about the bottle at all—they're about the life you build around it.
Source: https://www.townandcountrymag.com/leisure/drinks/g62558421/best-gifts-for-wine-lovers/
