Everyone loves a good bottle of wine. And red wine gifts make a fantastic gesture, whatever the occasion. But how to go about choosing and sending red wine as a gift, where to start when there’s so much choice? The good news is, it doesn’t have to be a chore. In fact, it can be quite a pleasure. Stand by for all the advice you need to make sure your red wine gifts bring a smile to their faces.
Old World vs New World Red Wine Gifts
There’s a distinct difference between old world and new world wines. So when you’re choosing red wine as a gift, it’s good to get to grips with the variety of styles you’re dealing with.
Location is the first thing. If your wine comes from France, Spain, Portugal, Italy, Germany or basically anywhere in Europe, it’s old world. If it comes from further afield, like Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Chile or the USA for example, then you’re dealing with new world wines.
In the old world, wines are usually named after the place they come from. Bordeaux for example in France. Rioja in Spain. Chianti in Italy. These are some of the most renowned wine producing regions, and the wines are labelled as to where they come from. They can be made from a single grape, or a blend. You’ll find more detail on red wine grapes here in our red wine lovers’ guide.
Bordeaux wines for example are often blends of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, and sometimes other grapes. On the subject of Bordeaux, if you’re looking for luxury red wine gifts, this 2016 Les Hauts de Smith magnum could score you some serious brownie points.
Or how about the perfect six pack? A case makes one of the best red wine gifts, and this red wine case from Bordeaux showcases some of most amazing wines the region has produced since 2010. One of the main reasons Bordeaux is so well-loved worldwide is due to its ageing potential. In other words, it’s a gift that will keep on giving.
Anyway, we digress. Let’s get back on track and head off over to the new world.
In the new world, wines are labelled according to their variety. Some people say they prefer this, as they know what grape they’re getting. So you’ll see a bottle of Merlot, for example, or a Malbec.
Insider hint… if you’re looking for a reasonably priced red wine gift for under a tenner, this Terra Noble Merlot 2021 from new world Chile could be just the ticket.
It’s also useful to understand the differences in the way wines are made. The traditional methods used in the old world tend to produce red wines that are more elegant, whilst the modern new world technologies come up with more fruit-forward, fuller bodied reds. And then there’s the ‘terroir’. This is the French term for the environmental conditions that can influence the growth of the grapes. Anything from the soil and style of the land, to the local weather.
Old world wines are hugely influenced by these factors, as they invoke variety year on year. Which is why you may find that a 2016 Rioja can vary in flavour, complexity and age-ability considerably differently to a 2018 Rioja from the exact same winemaker and with the same grape blend.
Looking for red wine gifts UK? Here are some of our favourites…
Still not sure what your giftee would prefer? We’ve rounded up a selection of the best red wine gifts from both the old and new worlds.
Château de Beaucastel Châteauneuf-du-Pape Rouge 2015
This old world wine is a lively customer and brimming with juicy red fruit. It’s quite an indulgence and at the higher end of the price scale, holding a firm and well-deserved place in the luxury red wine gifts category. Perfect for that special someone, or as a corporate wine gift.
Rioja red wine gift set
Perfect when you want to send red wine as a gift and you’re looking for something for a Rioja lover. An old world gem, this gift-boxed duo won’t break the bank, but still manages to make a wonderful gesture.
Penfolds Grange Shiraz 2012
Landing in the new world, Australia to be precise, we find this spirited tipple bursting with bold, bright flavours. As luxury red wine gifts go, it’s up there with the best of them and commands quite a price tag, but as the saying goes, they’re worth it.
Staglin Salus Cabernet Sauvignon 2016
A new world gift of love from the Napa Valley in the USA, this is one of those red wine gifts that memories are made of, thanks to its ripe, dark, herbaceous notes and deep, fruity core.
Righteous Reds Mixed Case
Still on the old world-new world fence? Here’s the perfect compromise, a mix of both new and old world reds, representing some of the world’s best wine hotspots.
There are also heaps of red wine gift ideas here in our festive Christmas wine gift collection.
Sending red wine as a gift? It’s a breeze with Oddbins!
At Oddbins, we’ve made it a breeze to refine your search for red wine gifts UK wide. Filter by grape, country, price and the wine’s characteristics to find that perfect gesture for any occasion. Plus, with our Next Day Delivery and super-convenient Multidrop Service, it really is so simple to send red wine as a gift direct to multiple recipients, all on one time-saving order. Job done!
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!
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