Gift ideas for the wine lover on your list

Everyone knows someone whose definition of a good time is relaxing at home with a nice glass of red or white. With the holidays in full swing, it's time to start thinking about gifts for that wine lover! A good bottle is always a great idea - but this year, why not pair it with something practical that will most certainly be put to use?

Sommelier and wine writer Natalie MacLean rounded up some of the best gift ideas for the wine lover on your list! From bottle recommendations to corkscrews, glasses and more, these are guaranteed to be a hit this holiday season. Find her picks below, and watch the video above for more great gifting tips.

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1. Corkscrew

An easier-to-use corkscrew that will come in handy in a pinch.

SHOP: Trudeau Turbo Double Lever Corkscrew; $20 on Amazon.

2. Repour

This sommelier-approved handy little wine preserver lets them come back to their favourite bottle after opening it.

SHOP: Repour 4-pack; $6 at Massey Wines.

3. Sparkling Wine Stopper

This champagne stopper is a simple metal cap with two small wings that clamp under the lip of the bottle and have an internal plastic seal to preserve your sparkling wine for a few days after opening. 

SHOP: Trudeau Sparkling Wine Stopper; $7 at Best Buy.

4. Red Wine Glasses

A good glass makes a big difference to the way wine smells and tastes. You have to be able to swirl the wine to smell it!

SHOP: Burgundy Balloon Glasses; $55 at Rosehill Wine Cellars.

5. White Wine Glasses

Purpose-built to enhance the aromas of a wide variety of wines.

SHOP: 6416/15 Riesling; $68 at Rosehill Wine Cellars.

6. Wine Decanter

This is a decanter designed especially for red wines that need to breathe before you drink them. A little air exposure is good for some wines, because the tannins in wine will chain together and make the wine taste smoother.

SHOP: Riedel Performance Wine Decanter; $50 at Rosehill Wine Cellars.

7. Stave & Steel Cabernet Sauvignon

Stave & Steel Cabernet Sauvignon is a luscious, full-bodied wine from California with aromas of dark plums and toasty oak. Cabernet is considered the king of red wines: it has great structure and wide appeal. It can also age for five to seven years for those who’d rather put it in their cellars.

SHOP: Stave & Steel Bourbon Barrel Aged Cabernet Sauvignon; $17 at LCBO.

8. Trapiche Gran Medalla Malbec 2017

Trapiche Malbec from Argentina, a robust red wine with aromas of dark berries and smoke. Repour is going to keep those aromas fresh a day from now or a month from now. This is a luxurious wine to pour during the holidays and it’ll pair beautifully with roast beef and charcuterie.

SHOP: Trapiche Gran Medalla Malbec 2017; $29 at LCBO.

9. Santa Margherita Brut Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore

Santa Margherita Rosé Sparkling from Italy, which has aromas of field strawberries and melon. Bubbly is the wine of celebration, but you don’t have to splurge on Champagne when there are more affordable and deliciouls options like this Prosecco.

SHOP: Santa Margherita Brut Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore; $12 at LCBO.

10. Relax Riesling

Relax Riesling from Germany. It’s perfectly named for harried hosts at this time of year and offers aromas of peach and apricot. It’s packed with flavour and will pair well with both turkey and all the dishes and yet it’s low in alcohol.

SHOP: Relax Riesling, Mosel; $13 at LCBO.

11. Sea Sun Pinot Noir 2019

The red is a luscious California Pinot Noir from California called Sea Sun and has aromas of ripe cherries and berries. Pinot Noir is seductive, like liquid silk, and would pair beautifully with roast turkey, not to mention, cranberry sauce.

SHOP: Sea Sun Pinot Noir 2019; $25 at LCBO.

12. Merlot First Growth 2016

A full-bodied red wine from Reif Winery in Niagara with aromas of dark fruit and toasty oak. This is a magnificent bottle, one of Canada’s best and it’ll also age well in the cellar. They also ship across the country. 

SHOP: Merlot First Growht 2016; $100 at Reif Estate Winery.