A wine bottle is an easy gift to make. Finding one that makes someone stop and admire the label, that is a little more difficult to do. For the wine lover who already knows their Bordeaux from their Burgundy, the usual bottle will not quite make the cut. The more interesting wine bottle gifts come with a story, a little pedigree and, ideally, something worth talking about once the cork comes out. here is our list of the 6 best wine bottles worth gifting, including Chateau d'Yquem Wine, Louis Roederer Cristal, Dom Perignon Brut, Cabernet Sauvignon, Penfolds Bin 389 Cabernet Shiraz and Cloudy Bay Te Koko.
These 6 best wine bottles make a strong case for this spirit as a gift worth cherishing, remembering and, of course, imbibing. Cristal wine brings the occasion, Caymus wine brings the richness, Bin 389 brings the cellar appeal and Te Koko brings a little curiosity. Check them all out now.
Wine bottles generally arrive at dinner and quietly do their job. Chateau d'Yquem tends to make a little more of an impression. Hailing from Sauternes, the legendary estate is the only Premier Cru Superieur in the 1855 classification, a distinction that goes some way towards explaining its extraordinary reputation. Its sweet wines are prized for their complexity and remarkable ageing potential, developing layers of honey, apricot, citrus and caramel over time.
Chateau d'Yquem is priced at ₹75,000 for 750ml, depending on vintage.
Wine bottles generally arrive at dinner and are served without much ado. Louis Roederer Cristal wine makes an entrance. Created in 1876 for Tsar Alexander II, the Louis Roederer Cristal wine was the first prestige cuvee in the world. Its distinctive flat-bottomed bottle is almost as recognisable as the wine itself, while the profile brings together white flowers, citrus and toasted brioche. For a milestone birthday, anniversary or dinner where ordinary Champagne simply will not do, this is an easy wine choice to make.
Louis Roederer Cristal wine is priced at ₹33,986 for 750ml.
There are bottles you bring to a celebration, and then there are bottles that practically become the celebration. Dom Perignon Brut belongs firmly in the second camp. The Champagne is made only in vintage years, giving each release its own character. Expect green apple and citrus alongside mineral notes and a creamy mousse. It is also one of those rare gifts where the recipient will probably recognise the bottle before you have even handed it over.
Dom Perignon Brut is priced at ₹23,497 for 750ml.
Not everyone wants Champagne. For the red-wine loyalist, Caymus Vineyards Special Selection Cabernet Sauvignon makes a much more convincing present. The Napa Valley Cabernet is known for its rich, concentrated style, with dark berries, cassis and cocoa wrapped in ripe, velvety tannins. It is the sort of bottle that does not need a complicated introduction. Put it beside a good steak and let it make its own case.
Cabernet Sauvignon is priced at ₹24,721 for 750ml.
Known as 'Baby Grange', Penfolds Bin 389 Cabernet Shiraz takes some of the winemaking philosophy associated with Penfolds' legendary Grange and brings it into a considerably more approachable bottle. The Cabernet-Shiraz wine blend combines blackberry and plum with spicy oak and a structured palate. It also has the sort of ageing potential that makes it a thoughtful gift for someone who enjoys putting bottles away for a future occasion.
Cabernet Shiraz is priced at ₹3,190 for 750ml.
Cloudy Bay may be famous for Sauvignon Blanc, but Te Koko wine takes the grape somewhere considerably more interesting. Fermented with indigenous yeasts and aged in oak, it trades the usual tropical freshness for a more savoury, creamy and smoky character. It is a particularly good gift for someone who thinks they already know exactly what Sauvignon Blanc tastes like.
Cloudy Bay Te Koko is priced at ₹4,000 for 750ml.
The best wine gifts aren't necessarily the ones with the biggest price tag. They are the ones that feel like someone actually thought about what was going into the glass. And really, what better gift can there be than a wine bottle that gives you an excuse to open it together?
Note: Wine prices are for 750ml bottles for the Indian market and can vary by vintage, retailer, city, state taxes and availability.