Cheat Sheet to Gifting Wine

Choosing the perfect wine for a wine lover can feel intimidating, and it’s easy to reach for the familiar bottle of Champagne. While premium bubbly is always appreciated, many other wines can truly impress and show how much thought you put into your gift. Here are some standout options that will delight the wine enthusiast in your life and make them feel extra special.

1. Premium New Zealand Pinot Noir

Go beyond Marlborough and explore Pinot Noir from Martinborough or Central Otago, known for producing some of New Zealand’s finest wines. Within Central Otago, you can get super niche and find wine from subregions like Bannockburn and Bendigo. Expect to spend around 200 AED or more for a quality bottle—Pinot Noir is worth the splurge!

2. Australian Cabernet Sauvignon from Coonawarra

Coonawarra’s red, iron-rich soil enhances Cabernet’s aromatics, making it a memorable wine. While it can be challenging to find in the UAE, it’s recently been spotted at Windmill Cellars in Ghantoot and Dubai Duty-Free in the Airport. Premium Cabernet Sauvignon from this region typically starts at 250 AED.

3. Franciacorta Sparkling Wine from Italy

Franciacorta is Italy’s answer to Champagne, made using traditional methods but with a unique Italian flair. This sparkling wine isn’t available everywhere in the UAE, but it is here and it’s well worth seeking out. Starting around 130 AED, it’s an affordable way to add a touch of luxury.

4. Bordeaux Grand Cru Classé

When you see the term “Grand Cru” on wine labels, it can be confusing because it’s used widely across French wine regions and means different things in different regions. However, in Bordeaux, the phrase “Grand Cru Classé” is a distinct hallmark of luxury. It’s your code word for “super bougie” and points to some of the finest wines Bordeaux has to offer.

The designation dates back to 1855 when wine producers on Bordeaux’s left bank, along the Gironde River, had their top 61 wineries ranked into five categories, known as “crus” (a.k.a “growths” in English). These tiers, from First Growth down to Fifth Growth, created a hierarchy that remains largely unchanged over the past 170 years—one adjustment has been made, and that’s it. This consistency makes Grand Cru Classé a strong indicator of quality in Bordeaux.

When buying a Grand Cru Classé wine, you don’t have to worry too much about which growth it is, as all levels are celebrated for their quality. Just pick based on your budget—these wines start at around 400 AED and can range into the tens of thousands for the most prestigious bottles. No matter the choice, the wine lover in your life will be delighted by a bottle with this prestigious label.

5. Riesling

Riesling is beloved by wine connoisseurs in particular for its range of styles and ageing potential. Always get the oldest bottle you can find. There are a lot of cold climate regions producing excellent Riesling. Try Alsace in France, Pfalz in Germany, or Australia’s Clare and Eden Valleys. Even New Zealand offers some great Rieslings. This “if you know, you know” wine offers great value without breaking the bank. Fantastic bottles start at around 100 AED.

By choosing one of these options, you’ll give the wine lover in your life something they’ll savour and appreciate, making your gift unforgettable! You might as well grab yourself a bottle too. 

Wine Experiences in a Box 

Six wines is always better than one. The Tasting Class has created several wine box-experiences that contain 6 wines with information cards so they can learn a few things on the fly. They are available from select MMI stores. For the wine-lover The Somm 6 is ideal for helping them discover new wines. It highlights new producers and lesser-known grape varieties and regions. Other boxes include Brie & Banter for cheese pairing, Sizzling & Sips for BBQ lovers, and Holiday Cheers to get you through the silly season we automatic wine pairings.