Intensely pleasurable experiences: how to gift a bottle of wine.
Getting gifts right. An introduction.
As the old adage goes, it’s better to give than to receive. But that’s no excuse for not trying your best when you’re choosing a present for someone special. And, when it comes to gift-giving, few choices are as elegant, versatile or guaranteed to please than a bottle of wine. Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion, saying ‘thanks’, or trying to surprise and delight a wine enthusiast, a well-chosen bottle can make an impression that lasts far longer than the wine itself.
In this article, we’ll take a look at how to select the perfect bottle, explore some creative packaging ideas and personal touches, and give you, our delightful group of Gasm devotees, all the tools you need to navigate the world of wine gifting with confidence.
- Understanding the taste of the person you’re buying for.
The first step to getting the right bottle of wine is to think carefully about the recipient’s preferences. Are they fans of red wine or white wine (or, indeed, something altogether more pleasurable)? Do they have a preferred variety, such as Cabernet Sauvignon? If you know them well, you might know all this already, but if you’re not sure as to what really floats their boat wine-wise, there’s nothing wrong with asking them (discreetly if necessary). That way, you can be sure you’re getting something they love.
- Exploring varieties and regions
Whether or not you know your Claret from your Beaujolais, it’s still worth considering the characteristics of different wine varietals. Red wine such as Cabernet Sauvignon will give bold flavours that go perfectly with red meats, while white like Chardonnay will pair better with fish and are, on the whole, more versatile. So it’s always worth understanding what the plans are for lunch or supper, or if they have any special evenings planned. Exploring different regions and their typical flavours is also good fun. We fondly remember finding the perfect sparkling white wine to use in our unique fizz cocktails, which are the ideal blend of British fruit gins and the very best Italian sparkling white wine, which (in our opinion) comes from the Veneto region.
- Selecting a quality bottle
If you’re reading this, you’re guaranteed to be a person of exquisite taste, so it should probably go without saying that it’s very important to choose a high-quality product. The proper way of doing this is to go to a reputable winery—if they sell Gasm, that’s a sure-fire indicator that you’ve found one—or consult knowledgeable wine professionals. You can also read reviews and check ratings to make sure you get that special someone a memorable and enjoyable gift. There are also other clues for those who are short of time, such as the ‘rule of thumb.’ Nearly all good wine will have a pronounced ‘kick’ or ‘punt’, which is the indentation at the bottom of a bottle. Very broadly speaking, the further your thumb goes up the kick in the bottom of the bottle, the better the wine is. If the base of the bottle is completely flat, there’s a good chance that the wine will be, too.
- Packaging with elegance
In gifting, just as in cookery, presentation plays a crucial role in making a gift special. It’s worth looking around to see if you can find a wine gift box or sparkly bag to spruce up the overall aesthetic appeal. Handwritten notes are always nice, too, especially if you have a fair hand. Also, while they’re not really in fashion anymore, we love adorning our bottles of ready-to-drink gin cocktails with a decorative wine charm.
- Adding the personal touch
To make your gift especially meaningful, why not take the personalisation that step further? You could think about buying a luxury corkscrew to go with your wine (we have one of these at home and it’s terrific), or you could even give them some lovely wine glasses or flutes. As well as making them feel as special as they doubtless are, adding touches like this has the huge added advantage that they can remember your gift long after they have drunk the wine itself.
- Online purchasing options
If you’re looking for something really unique (hint, hint), our indispensable old frenemy the internet provides a wonderful avenue to explore everything the true oenophile could ever wish for. Which leads us nicely to Gasm, our exquisite, intensely pleasurable range of fizz cocktails. You can easily purchase flavoured Prosecco bottles online, as well as buy our uniquely delicious gin cocktails directly from us. Choosing Gasm will add an unexpected twist to the usual wine-buying experience. Most importantly, we can honestly say that our range is universally adored. If you want to buy better, buy Gasm!
Summing up:
There is no more sophisticated gesture than giving a bottle of fine wine as a gift. Remember, always consider their preferences, choose a quality bottle (obey the ‘rule of thumb’) and consider adding personal touches such as wine accessories to allow them to remember your gift for years to come. Be adventurous and use all the tools available, such as using the web to buy flavoured Prosecco online. Be bold and explore regions and grape varieties that expand your own and their wine horizons.
But, when push comes to shove, if you really want to tick all the boxes and create lasting memories, we heartily suggest you go for the only drink that truly enters the realm of intense pleasure.
We’re sure you’ll do the right thing…
Cheers!