The answer is no and no. You can buy the choosy wine enthusiast in your life (it me!) something wine-adjacent, cool, and, yes, useful whether it’s their holiday present or just a thank-you gift. “Every wine drinker needs a good corkscrew,” says Lauren Mowery, travel editor at Wine Enthusiast. (Of course, I’ve included one here.) As for bigger gifts, like wine fridges, those are appreciated, too, she says. “Just check with the recipient before sending.” If the tipsy options seem bottomless, don’t worry, I’ve done the work for you. Here are the best wine gifts, including some of our favorites. Price at time of publish: $28 “This is the perfect gift for someone just getting into wine and wine pairings. Author Kate Leahy makes learning about wine feel fun and approachable. With recipes to pair with each style, it’s easy to throw your own wine tasting party!” — Emma Christensen, Editor in Chief Price at time of publish: $15 Price at time of publish: $30 Price at time of publish: $46 Price at time of publish: $929 Price at time of publish: $299 “I get sick of the Martinelli’s Sparkling Cider rut, and TÖST Rosé is an exciting, dry sparkling beverage that makes a holiday brunch special with a mere pop of a top. It’s also pleasant with turkey dinners and big holiday meals.” — Sara Bir, Senior Editor Price at time of publish: $34 Price at time of publish: $36 Price at time of publish: $379 Price at time of publish: $78 Price at time of publish: $44 Price at time of publish: $24 Price at time of publish: $41 Price at time of publish: $85
What’s the fastest way to chill a bottle of wine?
A bucket filled with ice, cold water, and salt is the “tried-and-true method” for chilling wine quickly, says Wanda Mann, founder of Wine With Wanda and East Coast editor of The SOMM Journal. “The salt lowers the freezing point of the water and should bring the submerged bottle to a refreshing chill in about 15 minutes,” she says. Don’t have salt or a bucket? Mann’s alternative is to put the bottle in the freezer for 20 minutes. “Just be sure to keep an eye on the bottle,” she warns. “If left in the freezer for too long, it can freeze or burst.”
Why Trust Simply Recipes?
Hannah Selinger has written about food and drinks for local and national publications since 2015. A former sommelier, Hannah has worked for some of New York’s top restaurant groups, including Laurent Tourondel’s BLT group and David Chang’s Momofuku group. Her work has appeared in Eater, The Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, Wine Enthusiast, and more. Read Next: The Best Coolers
