The festive season is here, and this means that festive gifting is also in full swing! Beyond the traditional sweets and chocolates route, why not consider gifting wines to your friends and family this 
year? Here, Sonal Holland, India’s only Master of Wine, shares her expert tips on wine gifting this festive season.
For the discerning oenophile:
First, identify the person you’re gifting to. If this is someone who enjoys their wine and drinks it regularly, then you want to stick to classic wines. So other than Champagne, you could choose a white wine from a really established producer like a Masi Masianco Pinot Grigio, or a rich, dry red wine like an Amarone della Valpolicella. You just can’t go wrong here, as you will be picking from an iconic producer. When gifting classic wines, of course, the price point is a bit on the higher side, however, consider this paying a premium for gifting something really memorable to someone you care about.
For the budding enthusiast:
If the person you’re gifting to is someone relatively new to the world of wines, but still has a curious 
mind and is a bit of an enthusiast, Sonal recommends a white wine like an Italian Soave, which is a lovely blend of Garganega and Chardonnay grapes. It is a lively, vibrant wine that pairs well with almost anything. If you’re gifting a red, you can opt for a Vegante, which is a Chianti superior wine from Italy. What’s unique about this wine is that it’s vegan, which is certainly something different. Even the packaging looks like a newspaper, which keeps the feel of this wine very rustic and real. What’s more, the price point of these wines is just under Rs. 3000, making it a not terribly expensive gifting option.
For corporate gifting:
When you’re thinking of festive gifting, it’s also important to think about the occasion and not just the giftee. Depending on the occasion, the typ
e of wine that you want to gift or how much you want to spend may also differ. For example, if you’re a corporate looking to gift wines, you’re probably looking for something that looks and tastes expensive but is not, because you’re going to try and follow a budget. For this kind of corporate gifting, Sonal suggests choosing wines from lesser-known regions but still established producers. These will offer exceptional value for money in terms of the palette. Examples of these kinds of wines include the Chapoutier from France, which is a really juicy, flavourful white wine. It comes from an incredibly established producer, from the Rhone region of France. Those looking for a red can opt for the Montepulciano D’abruzzo from Italy, which is another rich, cherry-like wonderful wine. Both options are priced reasonably, at not more than Rs. 2500 per bottle.
While hosting at home:
The next category of wines one must consider is the crowd-pleaser – best served during gatherings at home, this festive season. One of Sonal’s top picks is the South African Niel Jourbert Sauvignon Blanc – 
this variety of wine is hugely popular, and pairs well with a variety of cheeses and other foods. Sonal’s pick for a red wine that will wash down easy is a Malbec – everyone loves a good Malbec because it’s fruity, full of flavour, and fuller in body and smoothness. It also pairs well with spicy foods. Sonal’s pick for the festive season is Santa Julia from the Mendoza region of Argentina. Both these wines are again well-priced and will serve you well if you pour them at your festive get-together.
All wines mentioned here can be purchased at Sonal’s Vine2Wine Cellars located at Foodhall (Palladium and Linking Road) or online, at www.vine2wine.in
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