How to choose an alcoholic gift for a man and a woman?

Some general tips for choosing a gift:

Soberly assess the person’s status, his preferences and level of immersion in the wine topic. Who are you going to give alcohol to: a lover of the classics or a wild experimenter? A friend who loves bubbles or a wine geek? A serious businessman and collector or a neophyte who is taking his first steps in wine?
Decide on the price of the gift. If the budget is not at all large, it is better to look towards “out-of-the-way” gifts rather than cheap bottles of wine.
Don’t be afraid to consult with experts at wine stores and stores. They have extensive experience in selecting specific producers, and they know the tastes of buyers and will suggest “hit” wines.
Do not give wine specialists wine or other alcohol from large houses (unless it is Cristal from Louis Roederer, of course) - they are unlikely to appreciate it. It’s better to choose a bottle from a small estate with its own philosophy and necessarily a pronounced terroir.
Do not be guided by gender stereotypes, such as “women like sweets and men like strong drinks.” In the case of wine lovers, this is unlikely to work.
Are you afraid you won't get it right with the bottle? Well, a certificate for a purchase in a store will always help out - especially at the last moment.

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Posted by Louis Roederer (@louisroederer_)

Wine

It is necessary to choose wine especially carefully and depending on the person’s preferences. If you don't know what wines he likes, stick with the tried and true classics: Bordeaux, Tuscany, Piedmont or Champagne.

Sparkling

You don’t have to wait until the New Year holidays to give champagne or sparkling wine. A bottle of cool “bubbles” in itself puts you in the mood for a holiday. Moreover, such a gift will certainly be appreciated not only by women, as some might think, but also by men who understand wine.

If price doesn’t matter to you, feel free to take champagne - it’s always beautiful, prestigious and elegant. For brand lovers, choose large well-known houses - Louis Roederer, Lanson, Deutz, Pol Roger. If you are planning a gift for creative people who love craftsmanship, it is better to turn to Champagne recoltans from small producers: Pierre Péters, Bérêche et Fils or Paul Bara.

If your budget is more modest than 3000-5000 rubles or you think that champagne is banal, expand your boundaries and look for sparkling wine outside of Champagne. For example, absolutely stunning wines can be found in Spain. Manufacturers such as Mestres and Recaredo successfully prove this.

Sparkling wine from Russia can be an unusual and stylish solution. Wines from Lefkadia Temelion, especially those aged 60 months, Esse from Crimea or the premium line Abrau-Durso Imperial.

From left to right: Louis Roederer Brut Premier, Lanson Black Label Brut; Mestres Cava; Temelion 60 Brut

Red

In order not to fall flat on your face, it would be good to know your preferred style. Does a person gravitate towards powerful and rich reds or, on the contrary, appreciate subtlety and elegance?

The first group can safely choose a bottle of a classified chateau from the Left or Right Bank of Bordeaux. Don't forget to check the vintage - remember that 2007, 2011 and 2013 are considered the weakest in Bordeaux in recent years.

A more original solution would be wine from California, where, as you know, there are more than enough bright stars - Opus One, Screaming Eagle, Ridge, etc. In addition to well-known estates, there are many small producers. And for men who are interested in hockey, you can present a bottle from Igor Larionov - Larionov Library Release Cabernet Sauvignon Oakville from Napa Valley. Rich, complex, luxurious wine.

Barolo and Barbaresco are always a good gift idea. Intense and rich wines with history, capable of long aging, are ideal for intellectuals, aesthetes and connoisseurs of the great wines of Piedmont.

Don't forget about the majestic wines of the Northern and Southern Rhône. Look for complex, serious examples in Côte Rotie, Hermitage, Châteauneuf-du-Pape and Saint-Joseph.

We smoothly move on to the finest wines, which are best given as gifts to enthusiasts and experts. This style is dominated by pinot noirs from Burgundy, spätburgunders from Germany and volcanic wines from Etna based on Nerello Mascalese.

Want to stand out? Then grab a bottle of red from a Russian estate. From our personal recommendations: “Sikora’s Estate”, “Galitsky and Galitsky” and Pavel Shvets.

From left to right: Joseph Drouhin Gevrey Chambertin; Contrada Santo Spirito di Passopisciaro Animardente; E. Guigal Saint Joseph; Larionov Library Release Cabernet Sauvignon Oakville

White

In the case of white wines, you need to immediately decide which side you are on: fat oaky or acidic and piercing? It is also better to buy young wines: no older than 2015.

A classic white from Burgundy will always be a beautiful gift: Meursault, Puligny-Montrachet, Chablis, Pouilly-Fuissé. In the range of rich oak wines, it is also worth looking towards Bordeaux, especially white wines from prestigious chateaux. As a rule, these are wines based on Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon, aged in oak.

A more non-trivial gift would be a bottle of classy Riesling from the Mosel or Rheingau, especially in the GG category. Bright, acidic and noble wines can be given to both wine lovers and professionals.

If you need to choose an unusual bottle that will surprise, then we suggest taking note of dry furmints from Tokaj, assyrtiko from Greece, timorasso from Piedmont or carricante from Mount Etna. Often, less popular regions show the best combination of price and quality.

Fans of strange wines will certainly appreciate orange, a wine made from white varieties fermented on the skins. Of course, if we are talking about a gift, here is our advice - take a closer look at the wines from the Italian genius Gravner.

From left to right: Gravner; Domaine Servin Chablis Premier Cru Montee de Tonnerre; Peter Jakob Kuhn Riesling Trocken; Oremus Tokaji Mandolas

Fortified

Among the “gift-alcohol” associations, the category of fortified wines, represented at least by port wines and sherry, is sometimes overlooked.

Fortified wine from the Douro Valley has been considered the world's great wine for centuries and is valued no less than prestigious Bordeaux or Barolo. The special terroir helps make truly unique wines here: rich, sweet, viscous and long-lived.

Among the variety of styles for a gift, it is better to choose vintage versions - that is, indicating a specific vintage year. They are considered the most prestigious. It’s even more interesting to take a bottle indicating a specific vineyard, quinta. Nevertheless, you can also give a port wine of the LBV category - the younger brother of vintage, which has two significant advantages - price and earlier ripening. So you can drink it right away, rather than waiting several years for it to soften.

Quinta do Noval Colheita 1995

Jägermeister liqueur

Alcohol from Germany for brutal men. It was originally invented to emphasize masculinity and was intended for hunters. It is made according to a secret recipe from 56 ingredients. It is aged in oak barrels, giving it a deep dark hue. Costs 1500 rubles.

A memorable combination of spicy aroma with a bittersweet tart but soft herbal taste.

Jägermeister thickens as it cools, making it ideal for drinking on ice.

Strong alcohol

Strong alcohol has its own serious advantages when it comes to gifts. At a minimum, there is no risk of purchasing a bottle with a cork or wine that is not in good condition.

A good option would be elite cognac, especially the VSOP or XO categories. Let us clarify that cognac is a strong drink made from grapes, produced exclusively in the area around the city of Cognac, and only from certain varieties. Production technology is also strictly regulated. Armenian, Georgian and Russian drinks are not cognac at all, but brandy.

To make a bottle of cognac look even more festive, take a set with special glasses for a strong drink.

From left to right: Michter's US*1 Sour Mash; Hine Antique XO

It is no less prestigious to give quality whiskey. There are plenty to choose from, depending on your budget. Unfortunately, not every bottle will be a good gift. Like wine, whiskey has many nuances. The quality is influenced by aging, barrels, raw materials and country of origin. All this is worth considering, especially if a person understands whiskey.

American bourbon stands apart - a corn-based drink aged for two years in new barrels. If in the 20th century this category was not respected by experts, a few years ago the situation changed dramatically. The improvement in the quality of production and the increase in the number of boutique farms played a role in this.

It may seem strange, but premium vodka would be a good gift option for men. Particularly Crystal Head from actor Dan Aykroyd, which comes in a striking skull-shaped bottle. This alcohol will definitely create a sensation. And by the way, the quality of this drink is also excellent, because vodka contains no flavorings, sugar or any additives at all.

From left to right: The Macallan Single Malt 12; Crystal Head

Maxim Polkin will definitely not forgive us if we don’t recommend buying sake as a gift. First of all, you will agree that this is a super original move. Secondly, sake is an excellent option for traveling without leaving home, because with this unique drink you become immersed in the culture of Japan. And yes, sake is not rice vodka at all, but a completely independent and special drink, close in strength and organoleptics to wine.

There is an option to make a drink with your own hands using a special “Father Superior” kit: selected and mixed herbs, berries, flowers and spices need to be poured with distillate to your liking, then aged and after a month you will receive a ready-made original tincture.

The idea of such a designer came to the mind of railway engineer and idealist Valery Kinyakin. Preparing to congratulate his friends on an important holiday, he caught himself thinking that there was nothing to give. I don't like anything at all! And he came up with “The Abbot.” The first batch was assembled out of pure enthusiasm and in the best startup traditions - with the help of familiar technologists and designers. It sold like hot cakes, so they decided to develop “Father” seriously.

Now the second series of tinctures is on sale - with improved recipes. It contains hundreds of ingredients and five accents - mountain herbs, red root, prunes and herbs, Borodino bread, wormwood and hibiscus. Notable advantages include designer packaging and delivery throughout Russia.

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Options for gift sets from Fragrant World

The Aromatny Mir chain of stores has a very large selection of alcoholic drinks for all occasions. To make it easier for you to navigate, we have compiled our own version of New Year's sets in different price categories:

Up to 1,500 rubles – Bordeaux wine, blended whiskey, sherry, Madeira, Armenian cognac, sparkling Prosecco DOC.
Up to 3,000 rubles – single malt whiskey 12 years old, Burgundy Pinot Noir, Calvados.
Up to 5,000 rubles – French champagne, VSOP-XO cognac, Armagnac, 15 year old single malt whiskey.

Choose your favorite alcoholic drinks and give them from the heart. Upcoming holidays!

Wine accessories

Glass and any kind of wine gadgets will especially help when the budget is not enough for truly cool wine. Or when you are not sure what exactly the recipient prefers.

When choosing glasses as a gift, pay attention not only to the design, but also to the quality of the brand - glass from Ikea or Auchan is definitely not the best solution. But this does not mean that there are no good options in the democratic segment.

We recommend taking a closer look at the high-quality and proven brand Spiegelau, which offers a large selection of crystal glass glasses. But if we are talking about impressing a person, then take my word for it, Zalto glasses will strike the heart of anyone, even the most inveterate wine expert.

Don't limit yourself to just glasses. You can also give other accessories to wine lovers: designer decanters, champagne coolers, bottle stands. And as an addition, you can take drop stops - a small thing, but nice.

Male, female, unisex

Traditionally, men's gift drinks are considered strong alcohol - whiskey, cognac, Armagnac, Calvados. It is not customary to give vodka as a gift. The exception is premium segment drinks, for example, “Legend of the Kremlin” in gift packaging or “Russian Squadron Golden Mine” with a small piece of gold-plated silver jewelry in each bottle.

Women are most often presented with sparkling wines and sweet liqueurs on New Year's Day. An excellent gift would be a bottle of Rose from the south of France or Martini from Italian Piedmont - there are many ladies who are fans of these drinks.

Champagne is considered a universal New Year's gift. It can be given to both men and women. Another win-win option is a good dry red wine, such as Burgundy.

But it is best to focus not on gender stereotypes, but on the personal preferences of the recipient. If your young man is a beer fan, he will be much more pleased to receive a set of collectible Belgian ale than a bottle of unloved whiskey.

Don't know about your taste preferences? Then it’s better to either give up alcohol or choose something truly refined.

Sometimes real French cognac will say more about your attitude towards the recipient than other words

Gift-impression

Who would refuse to finally listen to a series of lectures at a wine school or at least take part in a thematic tasting with a pro? The choice is now as wide as possible, from funny and perky to serious and professional lectures. Pay attention, for example, to the classical wine school “Enotria” in Moscow and St. Petersburg, Vasily Raskov’s school “Backhademia” and regular tastings of our author and excellent speaker Ilya Kirilin (announcements on the Instagram profile @garnacha_man).

In conditions of semi-closed borders, a trip, for example, to the Abrau-Durso wine resort, would be a good gift. A few days at the Imperial Hotel with Champagne Spa, sparkling wine tasting, a tour of the production and historical cellars and dinners with Black Sea cuisine - a great option for anyone.

If you wish, you can book a whole tour of the wineries of the Krasnodar Territory or Crimea through the SimpleTravel agency. And as soon as the borders open, we advise you to rush to the most famous wine hotel and spa center, located in Bordeaux in the vineyards of Château Smith Haut Lafitte, Les Sources de Caudalie.

Women's gift with alcohol

Drink. Champagne, wine, sweet liqueur, martini, Baileys. If the tastes of the hero of the occasion are precisely known - any strong alcohol that she likes, even vodka. You can present a gift certificate to a wine boutique.

Price. Average. What is important is not the actual cost, but the thoughtfulness of the presentation and the attractiveness of the container (packaging).

How to give. Like any other gift, depending on the situation.

Female version

Wine cosmetics

Another interesting idea for a gift for women is wine-based cosmetics or products with resveratrol, a polyphenol contained in the skin and seeds of grapes. A powerful antioxidant prevents aging and has antibacterial properties.

One striking example is the Caudalie brand, whose owners also manage the famous Bordeaux estate Château Smith Haut Lafitte. Cosmetics are most closely associated with wine and have even patented several original formulas. Find more options for wine cosmetics here.

Tip 12. Basic mistakes when choosing alcohol as a gift

The quality of the product is the key to good mood and digestion.

A few words about what mistakes can occur when choosing alcohol as a gift:

You should not give cheap and dubious drinks. Wines with bright labels and flashy bottles tend to be low in content. For excellent quality - high price.
You need to learn how to check the quality of the product. For example, liqueurs (especially cream liqueurs) have a limited shelf life, and wine can have acceptable and unacceptable sediment. For high-quality red wine, a small sediment is the norm, but for white wine it is unacceptable. To determine the presence of sediment, turn the bottle upside down and make sure that there is no turbidity, flakes or foreign matter in the bottle.
A lot of information is contained on the back label. Don't be lazy to read it. It is unlikely that anyone will like a gift that contains taste and smell enhancers, as well as sulfur dioxide, dangerous preservatives and food additives.
Alcohol, especially expensive and super-quality wines, must be stored in a special way - in a horizontal position in special wine cabinets that maintain their storage temperature. Do not buy goods that are exposed to direct sunlight - this is a clear sign of violation of storage conditions.

Books

The best gift is a book. Or this: the best gift for a wine lover is a book about wine! There are many options: a theoretical basis in the form of publications by SWN, Oz Clark or Jancis Robinson, reference books with wine ratings and tasting notes, books dedicated to specific regions. The main thing is to find out what level of knowledge the person you are going to buy the book has. The list will expand even further if we take publications not only in Russian, but also in foreign languages.

A good option for sommeliers and those who are very keen is Moleskine wine. A special notebook was created for those who reject Vivino and are used to writing tasting notes by hand.

By the way, here you will find a complete selection of cool books - both for beginners and advanced.

Gift option or regular

If you have decided on the type of alcohol, decide how you will present it. There are several options.

You can immediately buy a branded drink in elegant packaging, tubes, or cases.
The second option is a gift set with some addition, usually glasses or souvenirs.
In order not to overpay for the box, you can put the bottle in a beautiful New Year's bag.
Another way to present alcohol in an original way is to create a gift set yourself, adding a postcard, flowers, and some goodies.

This greeting basket is suitable for both the New Year and Christmas.

LET'S SUM UP - SHOULD I BUY OR NOT?

Personally, I believe that alcohol should only be given as a gift in exceptional and well-thought-out situations. Then it must be a well chosen product. Remember, however, that there are many more or less universal gifts that we can use as gifts for different occasions: chocolate, books (especially albums) or music CDs can give a much greater effect and are not even as risky as alcohol. However, moving in a circle related to alcohol, various accessories or sets of glasses may be more interesting. Worth a look around!

What can you buy with alcohol, what snack is suitable?

Chips, dried fish, squid, salted pretzels, and basturma go well with beer.
Different nationalities take different snacks to accompany their whiskey. For example, Americans drink whiskey with fruit (ideally grapes), sweets such as pie or cupcake. The Irish often dilute whiskey with water or ice and eat meat.
Many people like to snack on whiskey with olives.
Tequila doesn’t taste like anything (except for lime); sometimes it’s mixed with Sprite.
Gin goes well with chocolate. Most often mixed with grapefruit juice or Schweppes with lemon.
Cognac is also enjoyed with chocolate, lemon (in the case of inexpensive cognac), and fruit.

Recipient preferences

This reminder may seem unnecessary, but sometimes people give gifts thoughtlessly, putting themselves in an awkward position.

Don’t rush to bring a bottle of cognac to a friend from vacation without being sure that he will correctly understand your impulse. You may not even be aware of his preferences.

If you know your tastes, don’t be lazy to find an original drink in a branded gift box, rather than taking the first one you come across in the store closest to your hotel.