Tis’ the season when I get text after text from friends asking about ideas of wines to gift – which I absolutely love! When it comes to holiday gatherings, many of us like to bring a bottle of wine for the host as a kind gesture or thank you for the invite. And whether the bottle is for a wine enthusiast with a deep knowledge of wine, or someone just learning, I always tell people to be thoughtful about the wine that they gift.
I absolutely always put a lot of thought into the recommendations that I provide to friends. Having been on the receiving end of many mass-produced, “swill-ish” wines, I get annoyed when people just grab a bottle while they are in the store shopping for toilet paper and toothpaste. I promise I’m not a picky wine snob that expects expensive wine. To the contrary, I’m thrilled if people show up with homemade toffee or seasoned oyster crackers or an aloe vera plant. But if you are going to bring me a bottle of wine, I’m going to need you to put some thought and effort into it. Sorry not sorry. I still have fond memories of a $30 Pinot Noir someone brought to my Mardi Gras party that was completely new to me!
And just an FYI, I highly recommend popping into your small, local wine shop (if you have one) as opposed to the big box stores to really find something unique. These are great places to ask questions and get ideas. I also do a fair amount of shopping on Wine.com. Now don’t get me wrong, I sometimes shop at the big wine stores (I’m forever trying to get bourbon allocations for Mr. Corkscrew) – but I’m also pretty good at cutting through the crap and finding the good stuff.
Pasqua Mai Dire Mai Valpolicella Superiore, Valpolicella, Italy $48
I still remember the first time I had this wine and was wowed. While I don’t mind an occasional Amarone, the alcohol levels sometimes makes me stay away. For that reason, I reach for Valpolicella Superiore. Amarone and Valpolicella Superiore are both red wines from the Valpolicella region in Italy and are made with the same indigenous grapes, but they are made quite differently. Whereas Amarone uses dried, more concentrated grapes for a richer, higher alcohol wine, Valpolicella Superiore uses traditional fermentation with fresh grapes, producing a lighter, fresher , and lower alcohol wine. But with the aging that Superiore wines undergo, a wine like this is still offers up more complex and structure than basic Valpolicella. I’m a big fan of the one from Pasqua, which has been making great wines for almost a century. Lots of dark cherry, black plum, mocha, leather, toast and warm spices that provides just the coziest hug. Perfect for a special dinner featuring like roast meats, game, and rich pastas.
Champagne Vilmart & Cie Coeur de Cuvée, Champagne, France $180 $190
When we’re talking wines to gift, of course my mind goes to champagne. I’ve now had many champagnes from Champagne Vilmart & Cie and I keep going back for more. I joke that they maybe are becoming our “house champagne.” They make several different champagnes, but the vintage Coeur de Cuvée wines always rise to the top. But I’ve certainly enjoyed their non-vintage wines and generally scoop them up whenever I see them. Basically, if it says “Vilmart,” it’s probably going home with me. Founded in 1890 and now helmed by the 5th generation, Vilmart & Cie is, and has always been a grower Champagne house working exclusively with their own estate vines. Using organic and biodynamic methods, the vineyard sites, where yields are strictly controlled, are blessed with aging vines that are full of character. For this Coeur de Cuvée, the estate’s flagship, 65-year-old ungrafted Pinot Noir and Chardonnay vines are used. These wines are seriously so exquisite and have so much finesse. Sexy stuff for sure. The texture is rich and creamy balanced by precision and racy acidity. It really does the impossible balance.
Abadia Retuerta Pago Negralada Tempranillo, Spain $135
A chance opportunity saw me having lunch at BCN Taste & Tradition (one of Houston’s newest and first ever Michelin star restaurants) and tasting through the wines of Abadía Retuerta. Retuerta is a historic Spanish wine estate located in the Duero Valley and their estate recently obtained its very own DOP qualification. It is also one of the few wineries in Spain to hold Pago status, a recognition reserved for the highest quality vineyards in Spain. The Pago designation has only been around for 20 years or so, but was established to recognize pioneering wineries that were making amazing wines that just happened to fall outside of the rules and characteristics of the local wine law. Sort of reminds me of what the Super Tuscans went through many years ago. In a nutshell, the classification is granted to single estates or vineyards that produce wine of exceptional quality under stringent requirements and with unique characteristics tied to the specific terroir of the location. There are only a limited number of wineries with Pago classification, so these wines tend to be highly sought after and showcase beautiful expressions of Spanish wine. And hey, if you’re going to enjoy some Spanish wine, it’s hard to go wrong with Tempranillo. In fact, it was this tasting that sparked the idea to create a list of wines to gift for the holidays.
Jonata La Sangre De Jonata, Ballard Canyon, CA $150, $200
I’ve long documented my struggles with Syrah, but it seems I turned a corner a couple years ago and have finally found my Syrah Stride. As I mentioned in my Thanksgiving wine post, if you’ve been on this wine journey with me, you know that Santa Barbara is one of my fave wine regions. I got to spend some time with winemaker Matt Dees earlier this year, and was seriously blown away! I absolute adore Matt’s Pinot and Chardonnay (these are my jam!) but if you’d have told me that in a room full of wine that I’d keep going back for the Syrah, I would have laughed. But that’s exactly what happened. It’s big, it’s bold, but it’s also so smooth and velvety. “La Sangre” means “the blood” and the dark, inky color definitely lives up to its name. I dream of this bottle by a warm fire.
San Leonardo Vigneti Delle Dolomiti Red Wine, Trentino, Italy $100, $120
Named the 2025 “Winery of the Year” by Italy’s Top Wine Guide Gambero Rosso, San Leonardo is a pioneering estate that is known for producing oft-awarded, world-class wines including their iconic, Bordeaux-style blend San Leonardo. The estate just celebrated its 300th anniversary, and has been family-owned by the Guerrieri Gonzaga family since 1724. So it was certainly timely for them to be bestowed with one of Italy’s highest wine honors. Based in the southern end of Trentino in Northern Italy and nestled among the Trentino Alps, it came as no surprise that this wine spoke to me. I’m a big fan of northern Italian wines – if you’ve been around here, you know I swoon at the likes of Alto Adige and Lugana. Crafted of Cabernet Sauvignon, Carmenère, and Merlot this is so graceful, so elegant, so lithe, and reminiscent of the cooler locale in which it is grown. While there is some berry fruit, the beauty of this one lies in its complex savory profile.
Sullivan Rutherford ‘Coeur de Vigne’ Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa, CA $110, $130
When asking about wines to gift, people inevitably ask about Napa Cabernet Sauvignon. This was a ‘new to me’ Napa Cab that I enjoyed about seven months ago. At the time, I actually felt like I was let in on a delicious little secret. Well, secret no more as it was named to Wine Spectator’s Top 100 Wines of 2024. This is actually one of the OG Napa growers that was laying the foundation leading up to the famous Paris Wine Tasting of 1976 (aka The Judgment of Paris). In the beginning, they mostly sold their wine directly to family and friends, which allowed them to fly under the radar with only those in the know (IYKYK) vying for this version of excellent Rutherford Dust. Today, the estate has been rejuvenated with plans to open a state-of-the-art winery and world-class hospitality facilities in June of 2026. Crafted of 80% Cabernet Sauvignon along with 14% Merlot and 6% Petit Verdot, it is layered with rich and vibrant blue and black fruits (the black plum tho!), vanilla spice, mocha, graphite, and perhaps a touch of herbs and minerality. All the feels and a textural party in the mouth.
Nibiru Confections
A little different from wines to gift, but handmade, artisan boozy chocolates are never a bad idea! As a big supporter of the Texas wine industry, I was all in when I saw that Nibiru Confections infuses Texas wine, liquor, meads and brews into tasty chocolate bonbons that will absolutely appease any sweet tooth craving. They also have a selection of “pairing bars” that include notes and tips about how to pair with fine wines or spirits. The hard part is choosing whether you want the wine bars or the whiskey bars! We had such a fun time playing “mad scientist” while pairing the bars. Such a perfect theme for a tasting event, after dinner, or even a girls night in. Nibiru also does corporate gifting where you can include custom labels or messages. I absolutely love what they are doing!
After finding some amazing wines to gift, I hope everyone takes time to relax, find gratitude, and enjoy family and friends this holiday season.
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