Giving Wine? Start with “Who Is It For?” — A Sommelier's Guide to Year-End Gifts

As the end of the year approaches, more and more customers come to us saying, “I'd like to give wine, but I have no idea what to choose.”

Wine is a difficult gift because there are simply too many options: region, grape, vintage, price. Freezing in front of the wine shelf is entirely natural.

What my years behind the counter of wine shops have taught me is this: when choosing wine as a gift, start not with “which wine” but with “who is it for”, and the decision becomes surprisingly easy. In this article I will share how to choose according to the recipient, and the etiquette worth keeping in mind when you give.

1. When in doubt, Champagne

When you don't know the recipient's taste, my first recommendation is Champagne.

• It says “celebration”｜The sound of the cork, the rising bubbles: the moment of opening is itself a special occasion. Perfect for a toast at the turn of the year.
• It goes with almost any food｜From aperitif to seafood and chicken, sparkling wine pairs with a remarkably wide range of dishes.
• No need to choose between red and white｜Compared with red wine, where tastes divide easily, it is rare for anyone to say they don't like it.

If you are giving Champagne, choose one where you can see the producer behind the label. Frerejean Frères, for example, based in Avize in the Côte des Blancs, is a young house founded by three brothers. Its appeal is a serene, refined style with nothing superfluous added. Another recommendation is the Duval-Leroy Blanc de Blancs, made from Chardonnay alone, with delicate notes of white flowers and citrus and fine, elegant bubbles.

Give the two side by side, and you also give the pleasure of comparing two houses.

▶ Two Houses Champagne Gift Set (¥22,000)
▶ Less is more: the Burgundian spirit of Frerejean Frères

2. For wine lovers, give the story of a producer

If the recipient loves wine, a bottle that says “I'd like you to discover this producer” will delight them more than a famous label. The more someone loves wine, the more they enjoy meeting a producer they have never tasted.

One approach I recommend is pairing a red and a white from the same producer. Tasting a red and a white born of the same soil and the same hands side by side brings that producer's style sharply into focus.

• Domaine David Moret｜A village Chambolle-Musigny from the Côte de Nuits (old-vine Pinot Noir), alongside a Bourgogne Blanc patiently aged in barrel. An introspective, refined style — a pairing best given to lovers of Burgundy.
• Domaine de l'Évêché｜A producer in the Côte Chalonnaise whose vineyards have been tended by four generations of the Joussier family. One red and one white together make a kohaku — in Japan, red and white is the colour pairing of celebration, festive for the close of the year. And its approachable price is welcome too.

▶ One Producer, Red & White: Burgundy Gift Set (¥33,000)
▶ Burgundy Red & White Gift Set (¥11,000)

If you know what the recipient likes (light whites, or full-bodied reds, for example), you can also use our Wine Quiz. Just answer a few questions — it takes about a minute — and we will suggest three wines to suit.

3. For someone senior or a business partner, a bottle whose name means something

When giving to someone senior or to a business partner, it matters not only how the wine tastes but that you can explain in a single phrase why you chose it.

Here I would like to introduce “Kamon”, released exclusively in Japan by Duval-Leroy. A 2008 Premier Cru Blanc de Blancs dressed in a refined label inspired by the Japanese family crest (kamon). The name itself, conceived out of respect for Japanese culture, speaks the giver's sentiment for them.

▶ “Kamon” Gift (¥22,000)

For companies sending gifts to several people, we also handle bulk fulfilment from a recipient list and invoice payment. Please see our For Corporate Customers page as well.

4. For people who don't drink, a non-alcoholic option

Sometimes the recipient doesn't drink, or has family members who don't. In that case, I recommend a non-alcoholic sparkling wine.

NOOH, made by Château La Coste in Provence in the south of France, is 0.0% alcohol yet offers fine bubbles and a wine-like finish. The name combines “No”, for those who don't want alcohol, with “OH”, the chemical symbol for alcohol. Above all, its charm is that those who drink and those who don't can raise the same glass together.

▶ Non-Alcoholic Sparkling Gift Set, Blanc & Rosé (¥15,000)

5. Budget guidelines

There is no fixed rule for how much to spend on a wine gift, but the following may serve as a guide.

• Around ¥5,000｜A small thank-you to someone close, or a gift when visiting.
• Around ¥10,000｜For Oseibo or a greeting to someone who has helped you. The most popular price range.
• ¥20,000–30,000｜A special gift for someone to whom you owe a great deal, someone senior, or a wine lover.

What matters more than the amount is that it shows you chose with them in mind. Once you have settled on a price range, simply picture the recipient as you choose.

6. Things to keep in mind when giving

Noshi (gift wrapping paper)

For an Oseibo gift, it is customary to use a red-and-white bow-knot mizuhiki with “Go-seibo” (御歳暮) written on top. For year-end greetings in general you may use “Orei” (御礼, thank you), and after the New Year “Go-nenga” (御年賀). Cépages is happy to provide noshi wrapping and message cards; please note your request in the cart notes field when ordering.

When to send

Oseibo gifts are customarily sent to arrive between early December and around the 20th. Timing can vary by region, so if in doubt, it is reassuring to arrange things early.

A small kindness for the recipient

Wine shows its true character better if allowed to settle for a few days rather than opened as soon as it arrives. A line on the message card such as “Let it rest somewhere cool and dark for a little while before enjoying” is a kind touch for those less familiar with wine. Champagne and sparkling wines are best chilled in the refrigerator for a few hours before serving.

In closing: a gift carries the time you spent choosing it

I believe a gift of wine carries more than the bottle itself: it carries the time you spent choosing it with the recipient in mind. I hope this article helps make that time a little more enjoyable.

At Cépages we have prepared gift sets with the contents already chosen for you. Every set is delivered in a gift box, with noshi wrapping and message cards available. Order by Wednesday 16 December for delivery before the end of the year.

▶ See all gift sets

If you are wondering which would suit someone, please feel free to ask us on LINE.