It’s the Christmas season, which means it’s the perfect time to spoil the wine lovers in your life with gifts that perhaps go beyond ‘another bottle’. Here are twenty ideas, from stocking fillers to serious gifts:
A set of lovely wine glasses
Good stemware instantly makes even supermarket wine feel special. I particularly like Zwiesel. Their lower end ranges are dishwasher proof and don’t go milky.
A statement decanter
A beautiful decanter is both practical and decorative, helping reds open up and looking gorgeous on the table. Choose a shape that suits their style: sleek and modern for contemporary interiors, or something more traditional and cut-glass if they like classic pieces.
Wine Wisdom 2026 desk calendar
Give them something fun and functional. The Wine Wisdom 2026 desk calendar gives them a new wine tip, nugget of trivia or food-pairing idea every day and looks smart on a home office desk or kitchen counter. You can pick up the 2026 Wine Wisdom Boxed Calendar from Waterstones.
A Coravin wine preservation system
For the friend who loves ‘just a glass’, a Coravin lets them pour wine without pulling the cork, keeping the rest of the bottle fresh for weeks or even months. The official UK site lists different models and accessories.
An electric corkscrew
Ideal for anyone with wrist issues or who just loves a gadget, an electric corkscrew takes all the effort (and drama) out of opening bottles.
Elegant bottle stoppers
Leak-proof bottle stoppers are perfect stocking fillers. Go for stainless steel or glass-topped designs, or personalise with initials or a special date. They are brilliant for half-finished bottles of still wine and sparkling alike.
A good wine aerator
A simple in-bottle aerator can smooth out young reds and make mid-week bottles taste more expensive. The Independent recently highlighted several options, from budget pourers to smart aerator-decanter combos such as the Final Touch Conundrum.
A compact wine fridge
If you want a big-ticket present, a 6–12 bottle wine fridge is a game-changer. It keeps whites perfectly chilled and reds at a steady, cellar-like temperature. Look for models with dual zones if they drink both red and white, and make sure the footprint fits their kitchen or under-counter space.
Insulated wine tumblers
For picnics, festivals and garden drinks, stainless steel wine tumblers with lids are incredibly useful. They keep wine cool, survive being dropped on the patio and come in loads of colours.
A wine tasting journal
A small, well-designed tasting notebook encourages them to record what they drink, what they liked and why. Choose one with prompts for grape variety, region, food pairing and a simple rating system. Add a nice pen and you have an easy, thoughtful bundle.
A great wine book
A book is a brilliant gift for anyone who wants to understand what they are drinking. See my reviews.
A wine course or WSET gift voucher
If they are keen to go deeper, a beginner wine course or WSET Level 2 in Wines voucher is a real treat. WSET itself offers gift vouchers redeemable against courses and tastings at its London school and many local wine schools across the UK also sell open-dated WSET gift vouchers.
Wine region prints or maps
Framed maps of Bordeaux, Burgundy or their favourite wine region make stylish wall art and a constant reminder of places they love. Look for independent designers on sites like Etsy or specialist map makers who print on high-quality paper.
A wine and cheese hamper
A curated hamper with one or two special bottles, matching cheeses and crackers feels properly indulgent. Retailers like The Wine Society and Laithwaites offer Christmas hampers and mixed gift selections you can have delivered, often with the option to add a personal message.
Alcohol-free wine gift set
If they are cutting back or have dry days, a well-chosen alcohol-free wine selection is both thoughtful and inclusive.
Wine-themed board game
There are board and card games designed specifically for wine lovers, from blind-tasting challenges to quiz-style games that test knowledge of grapes, regions and food pairings. Take a look at my review of The Wine Board Game.
A wine subscription gift
A subscription keeps Christmas going for months. Services like Laithwaites and The Grape Reserve send curated boxes of wine to the recipient’s door, often with tasting notes and food-pairing ideas. Laithwaites offers dedicated wine gift subscriptions with smart gift boxes, while The Grape Reserve has flexible gift vouchers for one-month and multi-month subscriptions.
Wine tastings or vineyard tours
Tickets to an in-person tasting or an English vineyard tour turn their hobby into a day out. English (and Welsh) vineyards often have experience days that include a winery tour, tasting flight and sometimes lunch.
Clever little wine gadgets
Fun extras like drip rings, foil cutters, vacuum pumps can make great stocking fillers.
Wine itself
Finally, the simplest and often most appreciated gift is an actual bottle of wine. The difference at Christmas is the thought and research you put into choosing it. Take a look at my Picks.
