A guide to Alcohol Gifting

When it comes to gifting alcohol, figuring out which alcohol complements the occasion, the choice of alcohol the recipient would appreciate, what to look for when giving alcohol as a gift, and how to present it, there’s little or less guide to help out there. Alcohol gifting has been part of human culture and tradition for hundreds of years, so why all the gift-giving drama when it comes to booze? After all, isn’t this stuff supposed to be fun? 

The trickiness springs from a combination of history, culture, and subjective personal preference, and also the fact that there are a thousands of varieties when it comes to alcohol as a gift – from sparkling to still wine, fortified wines to spirits, beer, liquors, and ciders, all with various sub-varieties that may or may not match the tastes of the recipient. Gifting alcohol is undoubtedly the personal taste preferences of the recipient here are some general tips to help navigate those tricky gift-giving bumps you’re likely to face.

Dinner or Housewarming Party

Key things to remember about gifting alcohol at a party are 1) you’re usually gifting for the hosts, not the other guests, and 2) it’s quite possible that the gift will be consumed the same day you give it. Nonvintage sparkling wines like prosecco, sweeter wines like Moscato, as well as mid-range beers, are all great choices. Good options for still-wine (white, rosé, and red) can be from budget-minded regions such as South America. Since the gift might be popped open in short order, a gift bag or other simple packaging makes it look more presentable. If you decide to go the beer route, choose a local craft brew; they’ve never been more accessible to. If you want to include glasses, go for simple, tulip-shaped stemmed or stemless glasses for wine, or a pint glass or two with beer.

Birthdays

Well, consider that the golden rule in gifting alcohol on birthdays should show some thought in the selection, If they like a particular spirit, wine, or beer style, look for interesting, new, or limited-edition versions of their favorites (that usually means mid- to premium-range price points). Extras will often go a long way toward making the gift more meaningful when it comes to birthdays. If you’re gifting beer, remember that these can sometimes be purchased in sets that comes with custom-made beer glasses. For wine, look for a glass style made specifically for the grape variety or wine type being gifted. Yeah, it’s extra work, but the thoughtfulness will be appreciated.

Your Boss at work

Gifting your boss is often about celebrating their occasion and helping your own persona. The rule here is to stay classy, and give something that isn’t cheap – this is a reflection on you, remember? It’s a bonus if the booze can last beyond one day after opening, so that your boss has many occasions to enjoy it while pondering what a wonderful employee you are. Fortified wines are good options, as are spirits such as cognac, Armagnac, scotch, and bourbon. These will all be in the premium range, but that’s the price you pay for a good impression. You could make an even bigger splash if you pair the alcohol with mid- to high-end simply styled glass tumblers for spirits, or small tulip-shaped tasting glasses for wine. Try to give the gift one-on-one, in private, so the gift-giving doesn’t appear overly showy or create an awkward scenario for either of you.

Holidays

One of the most tried-and-true ways to handle this scenario is to go seasonal. There are beers that are brewed specifically for every season, and they’re great gift options for holiday parties. Thinking in terms of food pairings helps, too; lighter fare in the warmer months works with lighter wines like rosés and white wines), and holidays in the cooler months generally see heartier fare (often best paired with spirits, fortified wines, and bold red wines). You don’t have to break the bank on these; bargain to mid-range-priced alcohol is usually fine, but try to avoid common items if possible, as they can suggest a lack of thoughtfulness. Gift bags, wrapped boxes, or baskets are all good options for presenting alcohol as gifts during the holidays. Finally, rather than combining holiday booze with drinking glasses, consider a more inspired option to help your gift really stand out, such as including a seasonal food match instead.

Milestones: Weddings, Significant Birthdays, Anniversaries

The reason we celebrate significant milestones in people’s lives is because they’re rare; they are genuinely worth celebrating. The gift you give here should reflect that specialness; therefore, you’re going premium price point or bust. Vintage sparkling wine or fortified wine is the gold standard. If you really want to wow the recipient, try to find a vintage that matches a year significant to the celebration (like a birth year or wedding date). These are the occasions to go all out, so you can probably be as flamboyant with the packaging as your heart desires. Add-ons like champagne flutes or small wine glasses are perfectly acceptable, but don’t upstage the main gift; make the alcohol the unquestioned star of the show, and a reflection on the people and milestone being celebrated.

When gifting alcohol, the main thing to keep in mind is the message you want to send with your gift. But don’t stress over it too much – after all, it’s a gift that will be enjoyed by the recipient!

An array of ZONIN sparkling wine is ideal for gifting in any occasion, ranging from ZONIN Prosecco, Spumante, Black curvee, to chianti (Red wine), Brachetto and many more.

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Source; Food&wine