If you’re in search of a gift for your wine-obsessed friend, or an oenophile (AKA wine connoisseur) then you’re in luck. We spoke to a few top sommeliers and wine enthusiasts to get their perspective on what wine gifts (or wine gifts sets) are perfect for wine lovers; whether they’re a true enthusiast or someone who simply enjoys a good glass every now and then. Here are Coravin Sommeliers list of top ten wine gifts:
1. Wine glasses
A set of wine glasses is not only a great gift for a wine lover, but also a fantastic housewarming present. I mean, if you get invited to a dinner party and have to drink your wine out of a beer mug or whiskey tumbler, that’s a total no-no. Save your friend the embarrassment and spoil them with a set of wine glasses. Preferably suited to the type of wine they’re drinking.
Not sure which wine glasses? You’ll find that certain wine glass shapes are better for enjoying certain types of wine. The width of the glass bowl impacts the amount of the wine's surface area exposed to air. It also affects how much of the wine's aroma is exposed. Red wines normally require a wide bowl to best allow the bigger and bolder aromas to surface. Most white wines have delicate flavours and gentle aromas. Therefore a narrower glass helps channel these understated white wine scents toward the nose. It also protects the wine's surface area to air which helps keep the white wine chilled.
Below is a graph to help you identify the different types of wine glasses.
2. Wine preservation for “everyday” wines
If you want to get in the good books of your wine enthusiast, there’s no better gift than the Coravin Pivot. Ideal for preserving wine for upto 4 weeks - your recipient can enjoy one glass at dinner and save the rest of the bottle for later in the week. There is no longer any pressure to finish a bottle.
Arnaud Pasdeloup
Coravin Professional Sommelier
The Coravin Pivot device is the perfect tool for everyday wines. It warrants you to keep wines for a few weeks without concern of wasting. You can keep a selection open at the same time and enjoy a different glass depending on your mood or the menu.
For restaurants it also helps in developing the wine selection with a few premium options and overall making the guest experience more enjoyable.
Brett Zimmerman, MS
Owner, Boulder Wine Merchant
El sistema de conservación de vino Coravin® Pivot™ es esencial para cualquier bebedor de vino serio. Esta creación sencilla pero innovadora ofrece una opción a un precio razonable para garantizar un vino fresco y sin concesiones hasta un mes después de abrir la botella. Pivot™ mejorará sin duda la calidad de su experiencia de disfrute del vino. Después de todo, la vida es demasiado corta para beber vinos oxidados.
Andrea Zigrossi
Influencer and Wine Discoverer 🍇 @trotterwine
In just a few steps you can open a bottle of wine and keep it perfectly preserved for up to 4 weeks. After uncorking the bottle, you just have to insert the Pivot Stopper and then put the Coravin Pivot on the bottle. Then only tilt the bottle and press the button to pour the wine. Saying it is easy, doing it even more!
How does it work? Open the bottle of wine. Replace the cork or screw-cap with a Pivot Stopper (ensure the Stopper and bottle neck are both dry). Insert the Pivot Device through the Stopper. Tilt the bottle so the spout is over the wine glass, then press and hold the button on the Device. Release the button and bring the bottle upright to stop the pour.
The ingenious combination of the Pivot Stopper and Device Pivot™ replaces poured wine with 100% pure Argon gas to protect the remaining wine from oxidation. Perfectly preserving the color, taste, and aroma of your remaining wine for up to 4 weeks, ensuring the last glass is just as amazing as the first.
Open your bottle of wine and immediately insert a dry Pivot Stopper with the cap open. When you are ready to pour, insert the Pivot device through the Stopper until it clicks into place.
3. Aeration device
Most commonly, the best way to aerate wine is with a decanter. A wine decanter is most commonly both wide and shallow, and exposes the surface of your wine to air, allowing it to “breath”, which softens the tannins.
If you already know somebody with a Coravin Pivot device, the Pivot Aerator is the ideal accessory to add to their collection. At only £19.99 the Pivot Aerator aerates wine as you pour, increasing the aromas and flavours within seconds. Leaving you with a silky, smooth, aromatic result - equivalent to decanting for 60-90 minutes.
4. Preserve your wine for months, if not years
If you’re searching for a gift for somebody who really knows their wine, is a connoisseur and has an immense collection of vintage reds, whites, fortified, you name it - the Coravin Timeless range is an absolute must.
Daniel Boulud
Renowned Chef and Restaurateur
At times when my wife and I want to only have one glass of a special wine, this contraption is what we use at home to preserve the rest of the bottle. It is reliable, perfect for people who care about wine and wish to enjoy a glass from an exceptional bottle. I like it very much.
KR Rombauer
Winemaker, Rombauer Vineyards
The Coravin [System] has allowed us to expose our customers to more varietals and more vintages, and we couldn’t do that prior to having the Coravin because it was just too expensive to open up those bottles of wine. Coravin allows me to elevate anybody’s experience here at the winery. It’s absolutely amazing to be able to share with our guests an ounce or two of this, an ounce or two of that, and still have effectively a complete bottle of wine. I save so much time and so much money using the Coravin.
Guillaume Gentil
@the_tree_of_wine | Coravin Timeless
The Coravin Timeless System is truly an ideal tasting companion for any wine lover who wants to enjoy wine without spoiling it. It has been a long time waiting for a product that is so easy to use, capable of preserving wine without spoiling it. I highly recommend it!
The Coravin Timeless Three and Six systems work by inserting a uniquely designed needle through the cork, and then pouring wine, via that needle, into a glass. When the device is removed from the bottle, the cork seals itself and the wine stays intact - free from oxidation, ready to be enjoyed weeks, months or even years later. And what’s even more fun is Coravin’s Timeless range is sold in various colours and designs. Take the Coravin x Keith Haring Artist Edition for example; created and designed to introduce a touch of modern art to any wine bar. Or Coravin’s Timeless Six+ Gemstone collection, due to release just in time for Christmas ‘22 - the Anthracite, Amethyst or Emerald designs are both elegant and stately.
5. Wine Rack
Wine racks come in all sorts of shapes, sizes and materials. If you’re looking for something simple that can house just a few extra bottles, then you can easily find a decorative and functional wine rack that doesn’t take up too much space. Be it wall mounted, a rack to sit on a countertop, a floor rack or even a hanging rack. This makes for both a fun and functional wine gift.
6. Preserve Sparkling Wine
When it comes to Champagne, Sparkling wine, Cava and Prosecco, it’s important to store it in a cool place where the temperature is relatively constant. There are a few things to keep in mind when preserving Champagne, but the best way to do so after opening the bottle is to use the Coravin Sparkling device.
How to Use Coravin Sparkling®
It may come as a bit of a surprise to know that some people don’t finish the entire bottle after popping open a Champagne. Coravin Sparkling is an innovative sparkling wine preservation system that allows you to open a bottle one weekend, then finish it at brunch the next. Now you can pop the cork without hesitation, secure in knowing that Coravin will keep the wine in the bottle fresh for another 4 weeks. By eliminating the risk of oxidation, the Coravin Sparkling provides the freedom and flexibility to enjoy Sparkling wine, while keeping it as fresh, flavourful and effervescent as the day you opened it.
There’s no longer a need to wait for a special occasion, or group of friends to share a bottle of bubbly. This revolutionary device allows you to preserve your bottle of bubbly for up to 4 weeks. Preserving the crisp flavour, aroma and effervescence, guaranteeing that the last glass tastes just as good as the first.
Open your bottle of bubbly, pour your desired amount of wine and close the bottle with the Sparkling Stopper (note: the Sparkling Stopper is suitable for all size bottles, from standard to magnum). Thereafter charge your bottle with the CO2 charger to keep the wine carbonated and fresh. Indulge in a glass of Champagne, Prosseco and Cava whenever you like without having to worry about drinking the whole bottle or wasting what you don’t drink.
7. Wine Refrigerator
At -home wine fridges range between ₤500 to upwards of ₤2000. The best temperature for long-term wine storage is between 12–18°C.
Whether you know a long-term wine lover or someone who’s just beginning to develop their palate, correct wine storage is essential for getting the most enjoyment out of each bottle. Maintaining the correct temperature can be difficult without a wine fridge, and perhaps equally as importantly, wine fridges keep the temperature consistent.
Wine fridges range in capacity to house about a dozen bottles or several cases. Choosing the right fridge for a wine-lover’s wine collection should be the starting point on your decision-making process. Opt for a slightly larger capacity (if space and budget allows), and if you’re thinking of storing it in the kitchen, make sure it’s not going to be affected by the heat of the oven or sunlight from the window.
8. Ice Bucket
An ice bucket is a great gift, especially for people who like their drinks cold, entertain a lot, and do not enjoy making multiple trips to and from the fridge. Used well, an ice bucket can be a tool to maintain a good bottle temperature in a warm climate.
Many ice buckets have beautiful, chic, and unique designs that add appeal to any occasion.
9. Personalised wine gift sets
A laser-cut cheese board or a set of glasses etched with your friend’s name is a beautiful and thoughtful gift. Perfect for a birthday, anniversary or even Christmas. There are so many online stores that enable personalisation, which means you can get as creative as you like. Choose a flatware caddy, corkscrew or even an at-home-bar sign to spoil your friend or partner.
10. Wine
When in doubt, grab a bottle of wine for your wine lover. Red, white, sparkling, vintage, fortified, you name it! Learn what wine they enjoy most and ask the local wine shop or liquor store in your neighbourhood to advise you on an optimal bottle to give.
Are you interested in ordering a Coravin wine by the glass system?
Visit our Shop page to see the wide array of devices and accessories we have available.
A great gift for any wine lover!