The Ultimate Guide to Gifting Champagne

Image courtesy of @gusbourne_wine

“I only drink Champagne on two occasions: when I'm in love and when I'm not.”

I can’t be the only one that feels like the holiday season has rolled around quicker than ever! While it’s been a trying year for businesses, spending time with family and friends, and general mental health, it’s also important that we try to maintain some form of closeness and cheer during this special time of year. What can I say, I’m a glass-half-full kind of girl and I won’t let you write this year off just yet!

Since most of us are social distancing, can’t travel or be close to the ones that we love, may I suggest sending a gift of bubbly? Consider scheduling a virtual toast to spread some holiday cheer or ring in the New Year.

Focusing on Champagne picks that shouldn’t be too difficult to source globally, I’ve compiled a list of sparkling suggestions that will take you into what’s promising to be an even better 2021. If you live in a country or region with a thriving wine industry (e.g. Italy, Spain, UK, USA) and want to try something more local, be sure to leave a note for in the comments. Prices below are listed in pounds but the tier of the picks should remain around the same everywhere.

For the Boss Women in Your Life

Taking a page out of my mother’s never-ending book of “rules,” always get your boss a gift. You may want to include mother-in-law, career/life mentor, and other such people in this category. Gifting them something different and special is just such a lovely way to say “thank you.” Don’t forget the hand-written note too!

Taittinger Brut Reserve (£35-45); Frerejean Frères Premier Cru Brut (£39); Billecart-Salmon Brut Reserve (£40) .

P.S. If your boss isn’t worth the fuss don’t bother and I hope you find your dream job soon.

image courtesy of @monafarm_

For the Family Get Together

You’ll need a few options for what’s often a full day (or weekend) affair. Wine alone isn’t going to cut it.

At the beginning of the evening, push the boat with something special Krug Grande Cuvée (£155).

If anyone would like to have more sparkling wine between courses, switch to something similar to an aperitif which will be fresh and clean on the palate. Gusbourne Blanc de Blancs English Sparkling Wine (£56).

To Sip With the One that you Love

For a spot of romance, perhaps try something different from the usual yellow label or Moët. Pol Roger Brut Réserve (£35-40) and Lanson Black Label (£35) are winners.

For the Friend who has Everything

For this friend, you could go high end with a pricier label like a vintage bottle of a more well-known brand like Veuve Clicquot 'La Grande Dame' 2008 (£130). The other option is to gift an experience such as a wine tasting event that remains valid over the course of the year and can be booked when convenient.

 For the Friend who Needs a Pick-Me-Up

Think of that one friend (or those few) who would have their holiday absolutely made by a receiving a beautiful bottle of sparkling wine. The message? There’s something worth celebrating in the near future and things will get better.

Piper Heidsieck Brut Champagne (£25); Bollinger Special Cuvée Champagne (£35); Laurent-Perrier Cuvée Rosé Brut (£50-60).

 Buying Tips 

1.     Bargains, deals, discounts galore! Champagne and other sparkling wines in particular tend to be available for irresistibly good prices at the end of the year, so please don’t be afraid to consider something you wouldn’t usually pick up because you think it’s out of reach (like I said, ‘tis the season!)

2.     Teamwork makes the dream work. You can often get better pricing per bottle for cases of wine rather than when you buy a few bottles, but we don’t all want to buy six or twelve bottles for gifting. Why not go in on a case of six or twelve with a few friends and split the cost – best bit? You can almost always do mixed cases which keeps things interesting.

3.     It’s not all about Champagne. “Champagne” refers to sparkling wine made from specific grapes (either or a combination of chardonnay, pinot noir, pinot meunier) produced in a very specific method in a particular area of France. Like many renowned wine regions in France, Champagne tends to carry an implicit premium and so will be more expensive. There are other sparkling wines both from within France and further away that produce sparkling wine of an impeccable quality (e.g. Prosecco DOCG or Franciacorta in Italy). If you’re up to it, see what your local wine shop carries and do a little research to try something different!

Cin CIn!