Shopping for the wine-obsessed friend who chats up every sommelier like they’re old college roommates? Same. Luckily, Oset Babür-Winter’s The Wine Lover’s Gift Guide for Bon Appétit is stacked with picks that actually deliver beyond the holiday bow. Consider this your laid-back, surfer-sommelier crib sheet to the standouts—and how to tailor them for the real humans on your list.
Let’s start with the slam-dunk: the Fine Châteauneuf-du-Pape in Wood Gift Box from Château Sixtine. Three vintages, one sleek wooden box, and zero second-guessing. It’s basically the express lane to looking like you know your Rhône from your rosé. Beyond the look-at-me packaging, mixed vintages are a smart way to explore how time and climate shape the same terroir. Pro tip: attach a handwritten tasting plan—oldest bottle for a hearty braise, the middle vintage with roast chicken, the youngest for pizza night when everyone’s arguing about decanting on a Tuesday.
For the practical wine drinker who’s already got the good stuff, get preservation gear that doesn’t make them swear at their kitchen drawer. Bon Appétit calls out Vacu Vin’s Bottle Preserver for its simplicity and results: “the device makes an unmistakable clicking sound to let you know your wine is safely sealed.” —Oset Babür-Winter, Bon Appétit. That audible click is gold when you’re saving a splurge bottle across the week. Pair it with a note to store opened reds somewhere cool and upright—your countertop’s sauna vibes aren’t doing that Nebbiolo any favors.
Glassware matters, but most heirloom stems tap out at the first encounter with a dishwasher. Christofle’s Tourbillon Red Wine Glasses break that curse, bringing hand-blown elegance you can actually clean without a panic attack. The sculptural swirl isn’t just a flex; it adds movement that can help open a wine as you swirl. If your giftee is a Cabernet-in-PJs person, these elevate Monday night without veering into museum-only territory. Bonus: high-end stems often change how we perceive texture, so even a modest bottle can feel a little more baller.
On the book front, Jordan Salcito’s Smart Mouth lands in that rare sweet spot—fun enough for casual drinkers, nerdy enough for the cellar crowd. Salcito tackles everything from decoding restaurant wine lists to “why winemakers are so stressed about climate change,” which is exactly the kind of context that makes tasting feel more connected to the real world. Wrap it with a restaurant gift card, and you’ve basically given someone permission to order off the list with confidence.
Then there’s the accessory that turns a “thanks for the bubbly” into “whoa, where’d you get that?” Bon Appétit nails it: “Nothing takes an otherwise generic gift of bubbly to the next level like these bottle bags from Los Angeles textile and homeware brand Atelier Saucier.” —Oset Babür-Winter, Bon Appétit. Handmade, reclaimed materials, and very LA—this is the hosting move for anyone who brings a bottle as a calling card. Pro move: stuff the bag with a little note about why you picked the wine (grape, region, or just “it pairs well with your playlist”).
If you’re trying to match gifts to personalities, here’s a quick cheat sheet:
- The Quiet Collector: Go Châteauneuf in wood—three vintages, one love. Suggest a tasting night that’s more tapas than TED Talk.
- The Weeknight Enthusiast: Christofle Tourbillon stems. Suddenly Tuesday has texture.
- The Host With the Most: Atelier Saucier bottle bag—sustainable style that keeps the bubbles dressed.
- The Curious Mind: Smart Mouth by Jordan Salcito—accessibility without dumbing it down.
- The Savor-Not-Chug: Vacu Vin Preserver—because great wine deserves a second act.
And yes, Champagne or Gamay is still the universal donor—Bon Appétit opens with that evergreen truth—but gifting a little smarter earns you more than polite applause. Think beyond the bottle: add a preservation tool, a stem that invites conversation, or a book that bridges the gap between the shelf and the soil. If you’re feeling extra, draft a mini guide card: serving temperature, a food pairing, and one geeky detail (soil type, elevation, or a note on the producer’s style). That’s the kind of attention that turns a gift into a memory.
Bottom line: Oset Babür-Winter’s guide doesn’t chase trends for trend’s sake—it spotlights pieces that make the whole experience of wine better, from the cork pop to the last preserved pour. Wrap one up, pour something you actually want to drink, and take a minute to taste what makes the gift matter.
Original author: Oset Babür-Winter (Bon Appétit)
Source: https://www.bonappetit.com/story/best-wine-gifts-2025
