Wine Gift Guide: Wine Gifts for Foodies

For the foodies in your life, wine isn’t just about sipping a glass of fine vintage and enjoying the smells and flavours as they unfurl in the glass. For them, it’s about the pairing possibilities that turn wine into a key part of the dining experience.

We know that wine gifts offer versatility, thoughtfulness, and a touch of indulgence. That’s why, in the next instalment of our Gift Series, we’re going to guide you through how to combine wine with gourmet treats for the perfect present ideas, turning a bottle of wine into a complete foodie experience.

Popular Wine Pairing Themes

1. Red Wine and Cheese Pairing Sets

Rich red wines like Merlot or Syrah pair perfectly with a variety of cheeses, such as aged cheddar or gouda.

Why not include a bottle of red wine, a selection of artisanal cheeses, a cheese knife, or a wooden cheese board?

2. White Wine and Seafood

Crisp whites such as Sauvignon Blanc or Assyrtiko pair with smoked salmon, or caviar for a luxurious gift set.

Sets might also include glassware or speciality seafood utensils such as an oyster knife.

3. Sparkling Wine Celebration Kits

Champagne or Prosecco pairs fabulously with so many different foods. But for a fresh touch, why not add macarons or light, buttery pastries alongside it?

4. Rosé and Gourmet Snacks

Rosé’s versatility makes it an excellent companion for charcuterie boards or fruit-forward treats, including dried fruits and nuts.

Perfect Pairing Ideas for Christmas Gifts

The holiday season naturally lends itself to indulgence and celebration. Combining wine with gourmet treats is a surefire way to impress a foodie.

Here are a few tips for all-out Christmas-related gifts…

Sweet/Salty and Sparkling

Pair sparkling wines like Prosecco or Champagne with seasonal sweet treats, such as gingerbread cookies or fruitcakes.

They also pair fabulously with salty food. Those of you who enjoy a buttery bacon muffin whilst opening your presents will enjoy a glass of bubbles alongside.

Rich Reds and Festive Savories

A bottle of full-bodied red wine like Zinfandel or Shiraz pairs wonderfully with cured meats, spiced nuts, and savoury Christmas crackers.

White Wine and Winter Comfort Foods

White wines like Viognier or Riesling complement creamy, buttery treats like shortbread or Brie cheese.

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.

How to Pair Wine with Chocolates, Cheeses, and Other Gourmet Items

The holiday season naturally lends itself to indulgence and celebration. Combining wine with gourmet treats is a surefire way to impress a foodie.

Here are a few tips for all-out Christmas-related gifts…

Wine and Chocolate Pairings

The key here is to match the sweetness and intensity of the chocolate with the wine’s flavour profile.

Dark Chocolate and Red Wine

Wines like Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, or Malbec pair beautifully with the bitterness and richness of dark chocolate.

Gift idea: Include a bottle of wine alongside a selection of dark chocolate truffles or a premium dark chocolate bar.

Milk Chocolate and Sweet Reds

The creamy sweetness of milk chocolate pairs well with sweeter reds like Port or Lambrusco. Consider adding a box of chocolate-covered dried fruits, almonds or caramels.

White Chocolate and Sparkling Wines

The delicate, buttery flavour of white chocolate complements sparkling wines like demi-sec Champagne or Extra-Dry Prosecco.

Wine and Cheese Pairings

The classic wine and cheese combo! The acidity of the wine and the creaminess of the cheese make a timeless match.

Bold Reds (or Whites) with Aged Cheeses

Bold reds like Bordeaux or Barolo pair beautifully with aged cheeses such as Parmigiano-Reggiano or sharp cheddar.

Medium to full-bodied white wines, such as white Burgundy or Rioja, can go well with hard, aged cheese.

Light Whites with Creamy Cheese

Light whites like Sauvignon Blanc pair excellently with goat cheese or brie.

Sparkling Wines with Soft Cheeses

Crémant or Champagne pairs beautifully with soft cheeses like Camembert or triple-cream brie, especially if you pop in a small jar of fig jam or dried apricots!

Wine and Gourmet Snacks

Charcuterie Pairings

Lighter, fruit-driven reds are perfect with a charcuterie selection. Get wines from Beaujolais or Grenache-based wines, alongside artisanal breadsticks or olive tapenade.

Nut and Wine Combinations

Sweet wines like Sherry or Passito pair fabulously with spiced or candied nuts, or a warm serving of caramelised chestnuts for a Christmas gift classic.

Dessert Pairings

Sweet wines like Sauternes or Tokaji Aszú are superb with macarons, biscotti, or even the joyous Jaffa Cake!

Creating Memorable Wine Gift Sets

1. Make it About Them

Tailor your gift to what you know they like. For example, are they a chocoholic? Or are they much more of a savoury food lover?

2. Quality Over Quantity

Choose artisanal or locally sourced items to elevate the gift’s quality.

3. Presentation Matters

Simple as a festive ribbon or holiday-themed wine bag can maximise the Christmas spirit.

4. Add a Personal Touch

A handwritten note explaining the pairings is a simple but lovely touch to add.

Wines from Wanderlust for Your Foodie Gifts

Corzano Passito Half Bottle, Tuscany,  Italy

To go with chocolates. The Trebbiano and Malvasia grapes are hung to dry for 3 months before fermentation. The casks are sealed and left in a well-ventilated room for 13 years, producing a sweet wine you’ll want to drink all day long!

Panoramico “O” Blanco, Rioja , Spain

To go with matured cheese. A unique oxidative style. Only 992 bottles were produced in the 2014 vintage, and a perfect wine for a cheese course or caramelised apple.

Vinicola Real Cueva Del Monge Blanco, Rioja, Spain

To go with cheese and Marcona Almonds. 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.

Howards Folly Carcavelos 1991, Portugal

To go with Christmas sweet treats. Naturally sweet by stopping fermentation by the addition of grape spirit while there was still some residual sugar. Left to mature in 700-litre oak casks for oxidative ageing, combining the best of a tawny Port and of an Oloroso sherry.

NON Range, Melbourne, Australia

Non-Alcoholic Essential. NON is an intricate balancing act of flavour with key notes of floral, tannin, salinity & acidity and a bold, minimalist design. NON is a 0.0% re-think of the wine experience.

Next in our Wine Gift Series: The Guide to Workplace Wine Gifting This Christmas

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.