Gift ideas for wine lovers: how to get it right

Finding gift ideas for wine lovers doesn't require being a connoisseur yourself. You just need to know what kind of enthusiast you're treating and what budget you have in mind. From serving accessories to tasting glasses to the timeless classics, here are concrete suggestions, for every taste and every price.

Before you buy: 3 habits to get it right

Pin down the type of enthusiast

A curious taster, a seasoned collector, a wine lover or someone who adores entertaining aren't looking for the same thing. Notice what the person already owns, then what they're missing. A well-equipped enthusiast will appreciate a rare or specialized object, while a beginner will be delighted with their first good glass.

Set your budget first

Price doesn't determine the quality of a wine gift. You'll find excellent accessories under $50, and a single beautiful glass is often worth more than a mediocre gift set. Decide on your range before you shop; it cuts your search time in half.

Bet on accessible quality

A successful gift is a quality object the person will actually use, not the most expensive product in the store. Aim for the durable, well-designed object rather than the impressive but quickly forgotten set.

Ideas for the wine lover, the one who already has almost everything

This is often the hardest person to treat: they already own glasses and corkscrews. The For Wine Lovers collection brings together exactly the specialized objects that stand out from the ordinary. Here are five safe bets.

• The Coravin Pivot preservation system (around $280): it lets you serve a glass without uncorking the bottle, which then keeps for weeks. The gift that impresses a true enthusiast.
• The Durand corkscrew (around $250): designed for old bottles with fragile corks. The collector's cult tool.
• The Clef du Vin by Peugeot (around $75): a surprising instrument that simulates a wine's aging in seconds, to reveal its potential.
• The Performance decanter by Riedel (around $70): its rippled wall aerates the wine more effectively. A timeless classic.
• The StandArt glass by Gabriel-Glas, gift-boxed (under $50): a universal glass that showcases reds, whites and sparkling wines alike. The elegant gift at a small price.

Ideas for the one just discovering wine

For someone starting to take an interest in wine, the right gift helps them get better equipped without overspending, and entertain with pride. No deep knowledge required: these starter objects always please. The For Tasters collection gathers a lovely selection.

• The Definition universal glass by Spiegelau (from $45): a first quality glass, dishwasher-safe, that suits every wine.
• The Hadrien glass by Lehmann (around $18): elegant and affordable, perfect for treating yourself to a real tasting glass without a big budget.
• The L'Iroquois corkscrew by Ligne W (around $25): colourful, reliable and easy to use. A classic to start off right.
• The pouring spout with Innovine filter (around $40): it prevents drips and catches sediment. The little extra that impresses at the table.
• The Chirpy Top aerator (around $60): not only does it aerate your wine as you pour, it also makes a little bird sound.

A gift idea for every budget

You don't need a big budget to please. Here's how to sort your ideas by the amount you have in mind.

When in doubt, give the choice

Even with the best intentions, you can hesitate over someone else's tastes. Vinum offers several ways to avoid getting it wrong.

The gift card

It lets the person choose from over 1,800 products, online or in store. Impossible to get wrong. Give a gift card.

In-store advice

The advisors at the Montreal (1480 City Councillors) and Quebec City (355 Rue du Marais) stores help pinpoint the right gift based on the profile and the budget. Thirty years of expertise, without jargon and without pressure.

Custom engraving

The engraving service turns a glass or an accessory into a one-of-a-kind gift. A detail that makes all the difference for a birthday, a wedding or a retirement.

Frequently asked questions about gifts for wine lovers

Ideas for other types of enthusiasts

Here we leave the world of wine. Scotch, champagne, cocktails or the art of the table: each passion has its objects, and Vinum sorts its gift ideas by profile to make the search easier.

• For the scotch connoisseur: cut whisky glasses, whisky stones and elegant decanters. See the scotch selection.
• For the champagne lover: flutes, sparkling-wine glasses and serving buckets, perfect for the holidays and New Year's. See the champagne selection.
• For the cocktail enthusiast: shakers, cocktail glasses and mixology tools to entertain with style. See the cocktail selection.
• For the art-of-the-table devotee: designer glassware, a Laguiole knife and objects that elevate the entertaining table. See the art-of-the-table selection.

The right gift is the one that actually gets used

Gifting a wine lover becomes simple as soon as you start from the right question: who is this person and what pleasure do you want to give them? A well-chosen accessory, even a modest one, beats an expensive gift that sits in a drawer.

During the holiday season, the best ideas go fast, and enthusiasts increasingly turn to durable, specialized objects rather than generic sets. Choosing early means choosing better.