What Wine to Gift When You Don't Know Much About Wine

You don't need to know anything about wine to give a good bottle. Most people are delighted with a reliable, well-made wine in the £10 to £20 range, and a few simple rules will get you there every time.

Start with what they drink. If you've seen them with red, buy red. If you have no idea, a bottle of fizz is the safest gift there is: it feels like a celebration and suits almost everyone.

The safest crowd-pleasers

  • Prosecco or Crémant: celebratory and affordable
  • Malbec from Argentina: smooth, fruity red
  • Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand: fresh, zingy white
  • Rioja Crianza: soft, easy red
  • Provence-style rosé: pale and dry

What to spend

  • £8 to £12: a perfectly good everyday bottle
  • £12 to £20: the sweet spot for gifts
  • £20 to £35: a bottle that feels special
  • Over £35: only if you know their taste

How to read a label quickly

  • Grape or region tells you the style
  • Older vintage isn't always better
  • Lower ABV (11 to 12.5%) usually means lighter
  • Award stickers are a decent hint, not a guarantee

When you really have no idea

  • Buy fizz
  • Ask shop staff for their most popular gift bottle
  • Add a gift receipt
  • Pair the bottle with a non-wine extra like glasses or a card

Card messages to go with a bottle

  • Cheers! I asked the man in the shop, so blame him if it's rubbish.
  • A little something to sip while you put your feet up.
  • Here's to you. Drink responsibly, but not too responsibly.
  • I don't know much about wine, but I know you deserve a good one.

Key things to remember

  • Ask the shop staff: it's their job.
  • Spend £10 to £20 for a safe, crowd-pleasing bottle.
  • Gift wrap or a bag makes any bottle look special.

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Frequently asked questions

What is a safe wine to give as a gift?

Prosecco, Malbec or New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc are popular and easy to enjoy.

How much should I spend on a wine gift?

£12 to £20 is the sweet spot for most gifts.

Red or white as a gift?

Buy what they drink. If unsure, choose fizz or a soft red like Malbec.

What is a good example of what wine to gift (when you're not a wine expert)?

"Prosecco or Crémant: celebratory and affordable" is one of 21 examples on this page. Pick the one closest to the tone you want, then add a specific detail of your own - a shared memory, a date, a name - so it reads as yours rather than copied.

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