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Best wine gift
Fortnum & Mason The Wine Discovery Hamper
Score: 89/100
The beauty of gifting a Fortnum’s hamper is that they’re left with a keepsake wicker basket, which will be treasured long after the last cork has been popped.
With six luxury wines included, there's plenty to get excited about, and the accessible selection covers all bases for the Christmas period, while also highlighting some hidden gems.
Highlights include the food-friendly vidiano (a dry white wine from Crete, full of almonds and peach), as well as the old vine garnacha which will pair with a range of red meat.
Key specification
What's included: | Fortnum's English Still Rose 12%, Fortnum's Old Vine Granacha 13%, Fortnum’s Single Vineyard Vidiano 13.5%, Fortnum's English Bacchus 11%, Fortnum's Saint Romain Vincent Girardin 13%, Fortnum's Dao Tinto Niepoort 13% |
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Joint runner-up wine gift
Gooseberry Bush Sauvignon Blanc Limited Edition Magnum
Score: 88/100
For those who love a good bottle of sauvignon blanc, this affordable magnum from South Africa is one of Laithwaite's most popular whites.
It steers slightly away from traditional sauvignon, focusing more on the tart green apples, gooseberries and light grassiness, while the tropical fruit notes come in later on the palate to give it a great juicy mouthfeel. It's refreshing, pairing well with shellfish.
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Joint runner-up wine gift
Penfolds Bin 389 2021 Limited Edition Gift Box
Score: 88/100
With 180 years of wine knowledge under its belt, Penfolds knows a thing or two about good wine. And this bottle of Cabernet Shiraz is exactly that.
It comes in a smart presentation tin for gifting and is packed with bold black cherries and blackcurrants, with woody herbaceous notes that add a rich depth and complexity.
This would make a lovely gift alongside a home cooked steak dinner to soak up those tannins.
Best budget wine gift
Abel & Cole Cheese & Red Wine Club
Score: 87/100
Abel & Cole sources its excellent products from quality producers who align with its sustainability efforts. And we think its cheese and wine pairing would make a lovely gift. You can either order it as a one-off, or add it to your regular delivery for a partner you live with.
This organic Sicilian Purato Nero d’Avola has jammy flavours of strawberries and cherries and a great meaty finish. Each delivery brings a different cheese (we tried a salty British alpine-style one) which had a rich, full flavour and plenty of grassy depth.
Key specifications
What's included: | Organic Sicilian Purato Nero d’Avola, Cheese |
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Laurent-Perrier Cuvee Rosé Ribbons Champagne
Score: 81/100
A bottle of champagne will always be gratefully received, and LP’s full-bodied rosé is rich and decadent, making it perfect for Christmas.
Each year, the brand presents its cuvee in a new “robe”, and this year’s beautiful, metal ribbon case negates the need for a gift bag. Cheers!
Drinkwell Lifestyle Red Wine Case
Score: 81/100
A case of new and interesting wines is always going to be a winner with any oenophile, but what sets this box apart is they're all sugar- and gluten-free.
Our testers particularly enjoyed the El Ninot de Paper Tinto, which they said was a perfect example of an easy drinking Spanish blend, packed with cranberries and light black peppery notes. Meanwhile, the Boundary Line Shiraz had stewed plum flavours and a great balance of sweet, acidic and bitter notes.
Key specifications
What's included: | Six wines |
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Laithwaites The Wine Club 12 Bottle Mix
Score: 81/100
All you need to do with this monthly subscription is choose how many bottles you want and whether you prefer red, white or a mixed case. Then the rest of the hard work is left down to the Laithwaites team.
We tried a mixed case and our testers particularly liked the juicy bottle of Corsiero Nero Puglia, which had notes of pomegranate and redcurrants, and the Mussel Pot Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc that had bold fruits and well balanced acidity.
Gusbourne Fifty One Degrees North Sparkling Wine 2014
Score: 80/100
This sparkling wine takes its name from the latitude of Gusbourne's Kent and Sussex vineyards (some of the best in the UK). It comes in a sleek black box and the bottle is entirely black too, save for the gold label, making it a great option for gifting.
It's the 2014 vintage, so it’s perfect for celebrating with, and would work nicely as an aperitif with rich cheese-based canapes. Our testers appreiciated the ripe lemon nose, green grassy notes, and delicate orange blossom sweetness on the finish.
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Harvey Nichols Chablis & Bistro à Vin Gift Box
Score: 78/100
Chablis is a classic serve at Christmas, and Burgundy wine fans will love this bottle from Harvey Nichols' own range, that comes in very attractive packaging.
Expect a fresh, herbaceous nose and notes of gooseberry – try pairing with shellfish. The reusable wooden gift box will also look great on the kitchen shelf.
Whispering Angel Château d’Esclans Rosé Magnum
Score: 76/100
Taking the rosé world by storm over the past few summers has been Whispering Angel, for it's oh-so pale blush pink colour and lightly fruity notes.
With aromas of peach, strawberry and vanilla, a chilled glass is guaranteed to transport anyone to their favourite summer holiday hotspot. We think this magnum would be the perfect gift to take to lunch with friends.
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Ruinart Second Skin Blanc de Blancs Champagne
Score: 74/100
In a similar vein to Laurent Perrier, Ruinart’s fully recyclable “second skin” is a chic alternative to your standard gift box. The champagne itself – made with 100% chardonnay grapes – is beautifully refreshing, with notes of white peach and brioche.
Veuve Clicquot Yellow Label Brut Champagne with Cooler
Score: 74/100
For the family member who has everything, allow us to suggest Veuve Clicquot’s reusable champagne cooler in the brand’s iconic yellow. Designed to keep bottles cold for up to two hours, it’s perfect for picnics when the weather warms up.
The price includes a bottle of the brand’s well-structured yellow label brut, from which you can expect notes of fresh citrus, toasted brioche and minerality. Alternatively, there's also a blush version for rosé fans.
Key specifications
What's included: | Veuve Clicquot Yellow Label Brut Champagne 75cl, reusable champagne cooler |
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Editors’ picks: Best accessories for wine lovers
ferm LIVING Ripple Wine Carafe Smoked Grey
For a modern update on a classic carafe, this smoked grey glass design with a rippled effect gives a sophisticated Art-Deco inspired look.
It's made from mouth-blown glass and has matching glassware, including wine glasses, plus stackable tumblers and tall water glasses, so they can collect the set if they fancy.
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Le Creuset Metal Crown Sparkling Wine Stopper
A reliable bottle stopper is an essential piece of kit, as no one wants a bottle of champagne to lose its fizz in the fridge when there's still half of it left.
Using a small lever, this one pressurises the bottle so it keeps its bubbles. It also bears the trademark quality Le Creuset finish.
Stölzle Lausitz Set of 6 Wine Glasses
Don’t let a good bottle down with inferior glassware. Choosing the right shape and quality can make all the difference to the drinking experience.
These flat-bottomed, large tulip glasses have fine, elegant stems that will elevate your tablescapes. Even better, they can go in the dishwasher too.
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Fortnum & Mason Eto Copper Wine Decanter
This copper-coloured decanter will brighten up anyone's home bar set-up. Created by British designer, Tom Cotton, there's far more to it than just great aesthetics.
It’s practical too, thanks to its specially designed valve, which seals wine against oxygen in the air, helping to prevent any wastage. Smart.
Wine Folly: Magnum Edition: The Master Guide
If your giftee is a newbie to wine and is keen to learn more, there are few better resources than this weighty tome.
It's famed for how easy it is to digest and the sheer amount it teaches about wine, covering more than 100 grapes, different regions and what food to pair with certain wines.

Callum is our Food and Drink Testing Manager and has been part of the world of professional catering for 10 years, from cheffing to food manufacturing. While working in manufacturing he specialised in bespoke product and menu development for several start-ups and well-known brands such as Wrap It Up! and HOP Vietnamese. He holds the WSET Level 2 in wine, a Level 3 in spirits and has a particular interest in agave spirits.
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