Before you choose: three questions

  • What kind of wine lover are they? Collectors appreciate precise tools; people who love hosting dinner look for beautiful objects to put on the table.
  • What do they already have? Almost everyone owns a waiter's friend. Few own a corkscrew that is also a piece of décor.
  • What's your budget? Under €30 you'll find thoughtful, long-lasting gifts; above that, you enter the world of experiences.

1. To open the bottle: the corkscrew

It's the tool they'll use every single time, which is why it's the gift they'll remember most. A good corkscrew needs a worm that goes straight into the cork without crumbling it, and a lever that does all the work.

  • Wing (lever) corkscrew: the easiest, suitable for everyone. Turn the head, push down the wings and the cork comes out whole.
  • Waiter's friend: compact and professional, but it takes some practice.
  • Electric: convenient, but it needs charging and is rarely something you'd display.

If you want a gift that also looks good on the shelf, choose a wing corkscrew with a distinctive design, in heavy metal and with no wooden parts that wear out over time.

2. To serve: glasses, decanters and aerators

A good set of glasses really changes how wine tastes: for a versatile gift, pick a thin, clear universal glass. A decanter is perfect for people who drink bold reds, while a pour-through aerator is a compact, quick alternative.

3. To store: stoppers and wine savers

For anyone who opens a bottle and finishes it over two or three evenings, a wine stopper or a small vacuum pump is a very useful, inexpensive gift. For true enthusiasts, a small temperature-controlled wine fridge is the dream.

4. Experiences to give

  • A winery visit with a tasting.
  • An introductory wine course or a guided tasting evening.
  • A subscription to a monthly selection from small producers.

A tip: pair the experience with something to unwrap, like a corkscrew in a gift box. That way the gift still has its moment under the tree.

Gift ideas by budget

  • Up to €20: wine stoppers, a book on grape varieties, a wine map to hang on the wall.
  • €20 to €50: a designer corkscrew in a gift box, an aerator, a pair of glasses.
  • Over €50: a crystal decanter, a winery tasting, a wine fridge.

The finishing touch: the box

A gift for a wine lover is also about the moment it's opened. Choose objects that arrive in a beautiful box, add a card suggesting a bottle they love, and you're done.

Looking for holiday ideas? Read our Christmas gifts for wine lovers.