7 Expert Tips: How to Give Wine As a Hostess Gift
It's official: 2023 is The Year Of The Dinner Party! (And by 'official,' I mean I saw it on TikTok 😉).
Let's say you've been invited to one of those fabulous dinner parties: you've picked out your outfit, have a few fun conversational topics in your back pocket, and even budgeted for your Uber home. Next step: make sure you show up with a thoughtful hostess gift in hand! That's the kind of good etiquette that would make your mama proud.
Ask anyone who regularly entertains what her most frequently received hostess gift is, and you'll hear a common answer: wine, of course! It's easy to understand why people give wine as a hostess gift: wine is traditional, and bringing a bottle is an easy way to not show up empty-handed. But how do you know the best wine to bring? (Spoiler alert: your sommelier internet bestie is about to tell you!)
In the worst-case scenario, showing up with a random bottle of wine can feel like something that took minimal effort. In fact, if your hosts are wine lovers who put a great deal of thought into choosing specific wines to pair with their dinner menu, showing up with a random bottle might be a great way to not get invited to their next dinner party. The perfect hostess gift is unique and makes your hosts feel special. Read on to find out which wine bottles make the perfect gift!
Sommelier tips for wine hostess gifts, image via Jennifer Perkins
7 sommelier-approved tips for choosing a wine hostess gift:
Tip #1: Spend $25 (or more)
I'm always asked: how much should I spend on a wine hostess gift?
As we all know, throwing a party can be pricey: between food, decor, beverages, and sometimes even catering help or entertainment, there's a good chance your hosts have spent a pretty penny (which, don't get me wrong, is a privilege and a joy for those of us that love hosting). But on top of the grocery bill, there's usually a ton of time and effort put forth by your host-- planning the menu, shopping, cleaning, setting the table, cooking... and more cleaning. It's a labor of love, but it's still a good deal of work.
Which is why your hostess gift should be something elevated. This is not the time to pick up your usual $10 Trader Joe's budget-buy that you typically open on Netflix night.
If you can, splurge on something more premium. As a wine professional, I will offer my opinion that $25 is the sweet spot. That's the price point where we start to see wine quality go from good to exceptional! And, if it's a holiday party or a special occasion like Thanksgiving or a milestone celebration, that price tag should go up to $30.
If all you have in your budget is a fancy bottle of sparkling water, that's also a great gift! This isn't about how much cash you can throw down; it's about the quality that cash can afford-- which is a reflection of your gratitude for the hospitality.
Sommelier tips for wine host gifts: bring two bottles
Tip #2: Bring Two Bottles Of Wine
The best hostess gifts are thoughtful tokens of appreciation for the time, care, and expense of putting on such a special event. They should be something the host can enjoy on a future occasion! Don't get me wrong-- a bottle of wine will be appreciated; after all, it's party fuel for the night and something you and the other guests will enjoy-- but it's not really a gift for the host.
Handing over a bottle of wine when you walk in the door can present an awkward dilemma for a wine-loving hostess: she'll feel obligated to open and serve it during the party, which is tricky if she's specifically chosen wines for the theme or menu she's planned. Your bold, rich Cabernet Sauvignon may not be welcome on the table full of crisp whites at a summer seafood feast (although you can always check in with the hosts ahead of time to see if they have any wine requests!)
A better idea: bring two bottles, and specifically let them know that one is for them to enjoy in the future; and the other they're welcome to open at the party— if they want! You can get creative with wine gift tags and label one bottle 'for now' and the other 'for later.' One helpful tip is to bring one chilled bottle ready to serve and your second bottle at room temperature, with a pretty gift wrap, to take the guesswork out of it for your host. Invite to the next party, unlocked!
Tip #3: Give A Wine With A Story
To me, wine's perfect pairing is... a story or memory! (Stay with me here…)
Giving wines with a great story or some context makes them a memorable, fun gift. It's the thought that counts, after all!
If you ever travel to wine regions, get in the habit of bringing home your favorite bottle. Then, you'll have a collection on hand for gifting occasions! You can also check your local wine shop for those regional selections and include a note with your gift, sharing a story from your visit.
If you know of a favorite destination of your host-- like that summer they spent abroad in Florence-- choosing a wine from that place (i.e., Chianti Classico made just miles from the city center) lets them know you have genuinely put some thought into your gift.
Tip #4: Presentation Is Everything
Be creative with your presentation! A fantastic touch is to wrap your wine in a pretty tea towel or flour sack towel and tie on some decorative dried flowers, fruit, and herbs with twine and floral wire. Not only will they be impressed by your DIY efforts, but they'll have the tea towel to use in the future. Say hello to the perfect housewarming gift!
You can also give your wine inside a wine tote-- this is a lovely gift your host can use again (or regift, which is oh-so-sustainable).
Tip #5: Pair a Gift Bottle with a Wine Accessory
The perfect way to show your thanks is to include a little wine accessory along with your bottle of wine. The wine may get consumed (often that same evening!), but your host can enjoy the accessory long after the last dinner-party taper candle is blown out (thinking of you whenever they use it, of course!)
Some great options:
Ice Bucket: all the better to chill with
Sweet Treats: a little dessert bite is always welcome
Food Pairings: a bite meant to enhance the wine's flavor- like an artisan cheese or even an infused salt
Cheese Boards: bamboo, marble, or slate are always in style
Wine Glasses: you can never have too many
Wine bottle opener: same as above
Fun bottle stopper: an inexpensive, quirky, and memorable gift
Tip #6: Give a bottle they wouldn't necessarily buy for themselves
While you might be familiar with your host's favorite Sunday night Pinot Grigio, if they already have a whole garage full of it-- that's not a unique treat for them. I recommend giving them wines they don't already have in their collection. A great place to start is with fortified, sweet wines like Sauternes or Port. Dessert wine is such an incredible treat!
Tip #7: When In Doubt, Choose Champagne
Champagne is the only wine you can bring as a great hostess gift that is truly a safe bet. Decadent, luxurious, and universally loved by wine drinkers everywhere, you simply cannot go wrong with Champagne. Remember that while sparkling wine is made everywhere, true Champagne only comes from the Champagne region of France (learn more about sparkling wine styles here). Combining the climate, soils, and time-tested production methods filled with painstaking craft produces a sparkling wine like no other place. When trying to impress, bypass the Prosecco and Cava, and go for the real-deal iconic sparkling wine: Champagne.
Happy Gifting!
