Best Wine for Engagement Gift: Sparkling Wine, Red Wine, White Wine & Wine Accessories

Want to know the best wine for engagement gift? I’ve got you covered. Giving a gift of wine to celebrate the couple’s special moment is one of the best gift ideas. Wine is one of the best practice gift ideas because it can be consumed and enjoyed.

While we are focused on the best wine for an engagement gift, many of these gift ideas also work well as groom, hostess, housewarming, or bridal shower gifts. Now let’s turn to gift ideas to delight the soon-to-be-married couple.

The Three Most Popular Types of Wine

For simplicity, we’ll consider the three most popular categories of wine: white wine, red wine, and sparkling wine. Sweet wines and fortified wine are something of an acquired taste, so I would suggest only giving those if you think the couple would like them.

Sparkling Wine Gift Ideas

Nothing says party wine like a bottle of Champagne! Buying a bottle of sparkling wine specifically made in the Champagne wine region often makes the gift more special. The following two Champagnes consistently earn high ratings from wine experts.

Best Wine for Engagement Gift

Veuve Clicquot

Veuve Clicquot is one of the most famous Champagne brands in the world. For Champagne, it is relatively affordable – a non-vintage bottle sells for about $70 at many retailers.

Moet & Chandon

Moet is slightly less well known than Veuve Clicquot in the general public, but Champagne enthusiasts know it well. It’s possible to find entry-level bottles in the $50 to $70 range.

Have a larger budget and want to make a big impression? Consider giving the couple a Magnum bottle. A Magnum bottle is an extensive wine bottle containing 1.5 liters (i.e., equivalent to two standard wine bottles).

Want to discover more about this classic gift? I’ve created several articles on the delights of Champagne here, including Champagne grapes (which grapes are used to produce Champagne wine), and answer the common question: how much alcohol is in Champagne

White Wine Gift Ideas

Finding the best white wine for the happy couple ultimately starts with their preferences. It is wise to take 10-15 minutes to ask the couple, their parents or friends about their wine preferences. However, sometimes you have limited time to select a gift. In that case, you can still offer a thoughtful gift. Select a quality bottle of wine, and ensure you include a handwritten note of congratulations.

The following types of white wine are the most famous varieties in the US. Therefore, starting with these varietals is an excellent place to start.

Moscato

Moscato is a famous sweet wine that is mainly made in Italy. Find out more about this famous wine in the following guide: Is Moscato A Dry Wine, a beginner’s guide to this Italian wine.

Chardonnay

Giving Chardonnay as an engagement or a wedding gift is a popular choice. Many people love the rich, full-bodied oaked style of Chardonnay associated with California. That’s not your only option, though – you can also gift a bottle of Petit Chablis or an unoaked Chardonnay.

Riesling

Riesling wine is one of the most popular white wines for a good reason (so make sure you know the answer to How Long Does White Wine Last After Opening). There are sweeter versions of the wine, like late harvest Riesling and semi-sweet Riesling. There are also dry Riesling wines that make a practical gift. Top regions for Riesling wine include Germany, the Alsace region of France, Canada, and the northern United States (e.g., New York and Washington State).

Red Wine Gift Ideas

When giving red wine, there are many options. You might choose from this list of the best red blend wine. Or you might choose a wine from an area like Sonoma County if that region is a favorite of the engaged couple. According to a recent survey, red wine is the most popular category of wine among wine-drinking adults.

Merlot

Merlot wine is easily one of the world’s most popular varieties of red wine. For additional suggestions, check out this guide to the best Merlot wine.

Cabernet Sauvignon

Also known as Cab Sauv by wine enthusiasts, Cabernet Sauvignon has a large and devoted following. The wine’s rich and full body means it pairs well with steak and other red meats. If you are debating different red wine options, see my guide to Cabernet Sauvignon vs. Merlot to pick out the best wine gift.

Zinfandel

Zinfandel is a top-rated American red wine. It is easy to drink, especially in the sweeter styles. That’s why I recommend Zinfandel in my post on the best wine for people who don’t like wine.

Wine Accessories Gift Suggestions

Best Wine for Engagement Gift

In addition to a nice bottle of wine, a few other items to keep in mind as you consider potential gifts for couples.

Champagne Flutes

This specialized wine glass is a great choice to enjoy with sparkling (including Grand Cru Champagne) wine of every description. This type of glass comes in two versions: glass and crystal champagne flutes.

Wine Decanter

A stunning decanter is one of the best ways to make wine more enjoyable. When you pour wine into a stunning decanter, it helps to release the flavors in the wine. If the soon-to-be newlywed couple enjoys wine, a decanter is an excellent gift idea. A well-made gorgeous decanter can last for years.

Sweet Treat

Including a box of high-quality chocolates and wine is another way to make your gift even more memorable. As my guide to wine chocolate pairing points out, pairing wine and chocolate can be tricky, so make sure you start with the most important tip: get dark chocolate. If you go down the chocolate route, a sweeter wine like a Sonoma County Zinfandel is an intelligent choice.

Custom Cutting Board

What does a cutting board have to do with wine? The answer is simple – think of cheese and charcuterie! These light finger foods are a typical accompaniment for wines. Transfer a simple cutting board into a special memory by asking to have it engraved with the couple’s names. Even better, this gift idea is flexible, so the couple can enjoy it on days when they prefer not to drink alcohol.

How To Make Your Engagement Gift Memorable

Tip 1: Write a Handwritten Note On A Card

Writing a handwritten note makes your special bottles even more memorable. Including a special note in your gift adds further depth to your gift. For example, you might say, “Here is a favorite bottle – I hope you enjoy it as much as I!” Ideally, your gift should be based on what the couple likes – that is the ultimate type of personalized gift.

Tip 2: Put Your Elegant Gift Into A Gift Box

In addition to a note, keep practical considerations in mind. If you are traveling to attend a wedding, transporting physical gifts can be difficult. Therefore, you might want to get a gift box or find out how to send wine as a gift. After all, a perfect gift arrives in good condition!

Have some additional room in your budget? Ask the wine shop or registry expert if they offer a personalized gift box. In addition to added costs, personalizing the wine box may add to the time frame to ship your gift, so be mindful of that point.

When Wine Gifts Are NOT A Touching Gift: 5 Questions To Ask

Buying gifts at wine shops may not always be a touching gift. Before selecting a nice bottle to celebrate this particular moment, ask a few questions.

1 Do the soon-to-be newlyweds like wine or alcohol?

As a wine enthusiast, you might love to receive a gift of wine. Some people do not like wine or alcohol for any number of reasons. In those situations, selecting a different gift is your best bet. Find out if the couple has a registry or ask somebody at the wedding party for tips. If you’re unsure, a financial gift such as a generous check or gift cards to the couple is an excellent all-purpose gift.

2 What types of wine do the lucky couple like?

Thoughtful engagement gifts always start with thinking about what the recipient likes. For example, consider other wines the couple has enjoyed in the past. Maybe they deeply enjoy opening a bottle of bubbles on New Year’s Eve? In that case, Champagne or sparking wine is a good pick.

3 Are there specific places or countries that the engaged couple likes?

Your couple may be planning a honeymoon vacation to France or Italy. In that case, engagement gift ideas that reflect those plans, like French wine or Italian wine, is thoughtful. If they love everything about California, then picking up a wine gift from that region also works.

4 What other wedding-related events are you attending?

In many cases, you may be attending several wedding events, including an engagement party, the wedding day, and a bridal shower. If you attend all these events, keep the total cost in mind as you select an engagement gift. On the other hand, you may only be able to attend the engagement party – in that circumstance, going all out on that gift may make sense.

5 Are their allergies or food preferences to keep in mind?

The perfect engagement gift should also consider health issues like allergies and food preferences. For example, many people with a gluten allergy avoid beer but like wine. This question is more about narrowing the range of gift ideas.

Best Wine for Engagement Gift In Summary

Finding the best wine for an engagement or wedding gift is easy when you use a few principles. First, find out if the happy couple like wine. If the answer is yes, aim to get a gift that reflects their interests. If unsure, I recommend picking a nice bottle of Champagne from one of the best brands like Veuve Clicquot or Moet & Chandon. There are also some red wine and white wine suggestions, along with wine accessories, to keep in mind as options (or try something different like Moscato red wine).

Best Wine for Engagement Gift: Sparkling Wine, Red Wine, White Wine & Wine Accessories
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