Wine Gift Guide: Eco-Friendly Wine Gifts for Christmas

We all know that Christmas is a season of giving, and for the wine lovers in your life, a thoughtfully selected bottle of their favourite tipple would undoubtedly make an excellent gift.

With growing awareness of sustainability, many people are seeking sustainable wine gifts that align with their values. In this blog post, we’ve put together a guide to help you choose wines that are kind to the planet, whilst also thoroughly delighting the wine lovers in your life.

Sustainable Wines

In recent years, scores of wineries around the world have become increasingly conscious of their impact on the planet and have made huge strides to become much more sustainable in the way they produce their wines.

Increasing numbers of wines are certified organic, biodynamic, or carbon-neutral. These certifications ensure that the wine has been produced with minimal environmental impact, often using practices like water conservation, natural pest control, and renewable energy.

Organic Wines

Produced without synthetic pesticides or fertilizers, organic wines are a healthier choice for both the planet and the consumer.

Biodynamic Wines

These go a step further by considering the vineyard as a self-sustaining ecosystem, integrating lunar cycles into farming practices.

Carbon-Neutral Wines

Some wineries offset their carbon emissions by investing in renewable energy projects or reforestation efforts.

Wines that are certified organic, biodynamic or sustainable will carry an official logo of the certification body on the label (usually the back label).

There are some wineries, however, that follow these sustainable practices without getting certified. There are various reasons not to, including the cost and effort of the certification process. In these cases, the wine shop should be able to help you with all the information you need. All our wines at Wanderlust are either organic, biodynamic or sustainably farmed and made. If unsure, always drop us an email, we are happy to help you with making a fully informed decision.

Thoughtful, Recycled or Reusable Wine Packaging

Traditional wine gifts can involve “luxury bottles” or packaging that includes plastic and excessive wrapping. There are, however, more eco-friendly packaging alternatives to present your gift sustainably.

Weight of the Bottle

For many years it was fashionable for wineries to present their best wines in heavy glass bottles as a mark of “luxury”. These heavy bottles can add significantly to the carbon footprint of that bottle through the production of the bottle and the transportation of heavy objects. Look instead for wineries that use consciously lighter bottle weights.

Recycled Cardboard Boxes

Many brands now offer packaging made from recycled materials. This might be the cartons for the 6 bottles that the wines are transported in, all the way to the pre-packaged gift boxes, perfect for your gifting.

Alternative Packaging

Alternative packaging, like cans or pouches, can reduce carbon emissions during transport. They still include the same delicious wines, but in inventive and thoughtful packaging that can evoke great topical discussions.

Eco-Friendly Gift Wrapping

When you are ready to start wrapping, think about using kraft paper, recycled wrapping paper, or fabric wraps, such as Furoshiki.

Eco-Friendly Wine Accessories

For an extra touch, you can also add environmentally friendly wine accessories.

Reusable Wine Stoppers

Choose stoppers made from sustainable materials like cork, bamboo, or recycled metal.

Cork Products

Cork, a renewable resource, is often used in coasters, trays, or even wine racks.

Recycled Glassware

Handblown glasses or decanters made from recycled glass add elegance to any wine enthusiast’s collection.

A note of caution. Chances are that most wine lovers will already have corkscrews, wine stoppers and sufficient glassware. There is nothing sustainable about getting people things they don’t have a use for. So, unless you know they need more wine accessories, don’t feel obliged to add them to the gift.

Remember to always prioritise quality over quantity, opting for thoughtful, durable gifts that won’t end up in a rubbish tip come January.

Eco-Conscious Wine Subscriptions

Wine subscriptions are a fantastic gift that keeps giving throughout the year. At Wanderlust, we offer highly sustainable wine options, ensuring that the wines delivered to your recipient are produced with environmentally friendly practices.

We will always emphasise:

• Organic or biodynamic selections.
• Support for small, family-owned vineyards.
• Low-carbon shipping methods.

Check out our gift subscription.

Wine-Themed Experiences

Instead of a physical gift, consider giving the gift of an experience. Experiences often have a smaller environmental footprint and create lasting memories.

Eco-Friendly Wine Tours

Many wineries offer tastings, tours, and even workshops on organic farming or wine blending. At Wanderlust, we work with vineyards like this all over the world, so please contact us if you want to arrange a visit to any of our producers.

Virtual Wine Tastings

Virtual tasting sessions, with a focus on sustainable wines, are a thoughtful choice. This is especially true for those loved ones who live in more remote parts of the UK. Send everyone the same selection of sustainable wines and then arrange an online meet-up to enjoy each other’s company along with some fabulous wines.

Support Local Wineries

Shipping wine across the globe can significantly increase its carbon footprint. So why not opt for wines produced locally? Luckily for us, the wines produced in Europe are only taking a short boat trip across the channel, so can arrive here in a highly sustainable way.

Remember though, we have fabulous wines produced in England, for that extra local touch.

Check out our range of English wines.

Affordable Organic Wines Under £25

The Bal Da Madre Organic Range

Part of the Wine by Sail project, which transports wines by wind power from Portugal to the UK. Gil Taveira’s wines are named ‘Bal da Madre’, which roughly translates as ‘Valley of the mother’ named as his way of paying homage to the earth that provides us with this fruit.

Mid-Range Wines for £25-50

Chamans Les Nonnes, Minervois, France

A family-owned vineyard surrounded by woodland that sits in the AOP Minervois region of the Languedoc. They pursue a non-interventionist farming philosophy, based on biodynamic principles.

Sept Skin-Contact Obeideh, Lebanon

Slightly left-field option for adventurous wine lovers. Sept aims to become an ambassador of Lebanon’s heritage and an inspiring model of biodynamic agriculture in the region and the world.

Luxury Sustainable Wines Over £50

Castello di Ama Chianti Classico Gran Selezione “San Lorenzo” 2015, Tuscany, Italy

Known for the elegance, freshness, and depth of its sustainably produced wines, critic Antonio Galloni has once stated, “Tuscan estate Castello di Ama has crafted some of the most riveting wines in Tuscany… Simply put, there are few estates in Italy at this level.”

Champagne Bruno Paillard Cuvee 72, Champagne, France

Renowned for its sustainable focus, Champagne Bruno Paillard Cuvee 72 is composed of a secret blend of more than 30 wines, including reserve wines dating back to 1985!

Next in our Wine Gift Series: Wine Gifts for Foodies

This Blog post is written by Mike Turner
Freelance wine writer, presenter and judge

Mike is a regular contributor for The Buyer magazine and is a certified educator and ambassador for Bordeaux, Rioja, Ribera Del Duero, Barolo and Barbaresco, running trade and consumer events across the UK from his base in the East Midlands.