So, the joyful role of official gift buyer has fallen to you. We salute you, because it’s no easy task. Especially when you’ve been informed that your gift recipients are red wine lovers, and you’ve been briefed to find red wine lovers gifts that will impress, whilst keeping your reputation, and your friendship intact. Awkward. Well, not to worry. Whether you're looking for Christmas wine gifts or a thoughtful birthday gift, we have a few tricks you can stow up your sleeve to make the whole thing go like clockwork.
Red wine lovers gifts by grape
A key factor that sets one red wine apart from the next is the grape variety. If you can get your head around the type of wines connected with each varietal, then you’re part way towards mastering buying the right red wine lover gifts.
Let’s take a look at some of the most popular red wine grapes, with some expert recommendations for red wine gifts for her and him to suit your budget.
Pinot Noir - responsible for some of the most popular wines in the world, Pinot Noir is known for producing light-bodied red wine with a fruity nose. Light on tannins and considered an easy drinker, Pinot Noir is grown around the globe, although it is mostly found in Burgundy in France. You can find our pick in our The All Sorts gift set.
Cabernet Sauvignon – this deep black grape produces wine that’s high in tannins, which can make it drier and more bitter and astringent than others. Distinct berry flavours such as blackcurrant are characteristic of Cabernet Sauvignon wines, so if your recipient enjoys a hearty, fruity red with depth, then this could make a good choice.
Shiraz – also known as Syrah, this grape is small and perfectly formed, with a thick skin. Often grown in France as well as being one of the most popular red wines from South Australia, Shiraz produces a full-bodied, tannic wine with powerful fruit profiles and high alcohol levels.
Grenache – also known as Garnacha, this is a thin-skinned grape that’s high in sugar but low in acidity. Generally you’ll find this grape in younger wines, with light fruit notes of strawberry and raspberry, and perhaps a trace of orange rind. Ageing will bring out richer flavours, however, so you may find older vintages with notes of toffee or baking spice, or even something a little more savoury, such as white pepper or tobacco.
Tempranillo – this grape is most commonly grown in Spain and is responsible for giving the wines of Rioja and Ribera del Douro their spicy, leathery notes. It’s a thick-skinned grape, deep in colour and also used to make Port. Found in our Feliz Navidad gift set and individual bottles on their own. The finish of a Tempranillo wine is generally smooth, and tends to linger a while.
Carménère – usually grown in hot climates such as South America, this grape is often blended with Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. Wines produced with Carménère are often very high in alcohol and tannins, and deliver a spicy, peppery finish.
Malbec – often grown in South America, this grape just about suffers company, sometimes blended with Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon, but most often seen as a single variety. Malbec wines are usually spicy and savoury, with flavour profiles hinting at pepper and cloves.
Merlot – Merlot is often blended with Cabernet Sauvignon. It’s a black grape that produces full-bodied wines that are high in alcohol and with flavours in the realms of cherry, blackberry and plum. Merlot is most famously from Bordeaux in France, but it is grown worldwide, including throughout New World wine growing regions such as Australia, New Zealand, South America, California and South Africa.
Primitivo – also known as Zinfandel, this grape is commonly used in red and rosé wines. Primitivo wines are bold powerhouses of rustic, jammy flavours, high in alcohol with chewy tannins and very pronounced ripe, dark berry, liquorice and black pepper flavours.
Red wine lovers gifts by budget
Whether you’re looking for a Christmas stocking filler or Secret Santa, something to say a special thank you, or a big-gesture corporate gift, there will always a red wine lover’s gift that will fit the bill perfectly.
There’s no shortage of gifts for red wine lovers that come in at under £10. If you’re able to go up a notch on budget and have £20-£30 or even £50-£60 to spend on a red wine gift, then again, plenty of choice and some corkers to help you say it with love.
In this price range, you could plump for a double red wine gift set. The £22 French Kiss set combines a Rhonéa Côtes Du Rhône Légende Des Toques 2019 with a Famille Perrin Les Grands Préaux 2020, and is presented in a silver gift box. And if you’re looking for Spanish red wine lover gifts, perhaps this gift-boxed pair of Riojas at £26 should hit the spot nicely.
Up at the higher end, if you’re looking to spend around £100, you could plump for a bottle of Staglin Salus Cabernet Sauvignon 2016 with its ripe, dark, herbaceous notes. Or if you believe variety is the spice of life, perhaps this Winter is Coming! gift set featuring a tempting and well-balanced array of wines from some of the world’s most famous wine hotspots.
And then there’s Penfolds Grange Shiraz 2012, an exuberant weighty tipple brimming with bold, bright flavours and dusty, softened tannins. It’s a wine that commands a lot of fuss and for good reason, and it’s widely considered to be worth every penny of its £400 price tag.
Finally, if you really want to make a statement and seriously woo your red wine lover with the perfect gift, how about a Swarovski crystal-encrusted jeroboam of 75th anniversary edition Viňa Ardanza? With its animated palate of sweet spice, leather, coconut, damson and redcurrants, underpinned by ripe tannins, this generous bottle of wine is ageing beautifully, and is presented in a special gift box complete with an exclusive wooden corkscrew.
Looking for the perfect red wine lover gifts? Your search just got a whole lot easier!
At Oddbins, we’ve made it a breeze to refine your search. From birthdays to Christmas gifts for red wine lovers. Filter by grape, country, price and the wine’s characteristics to find that perfect present to help you say it with wine.
And if you’re still not sure, you are always welcome to contact our helpful team for advice via Live Chat, e-mail or by calling 0800 328 23 23. Or play it safe and plump for an Oddbins gift voucher!
