The Drop

Find the right Christmas presents for everyone you know

Read Time 5 Minutes

Posted 11 Dec 2023

By Vintage Cellars

Take the stress out of Christmas gifting with this wishlist for every personality type, from party planners to the traveller and traditionalist in your life.

Christmas is just around the corner and with it comes a full calendar of catch-ups, drop in drinks, parties and family events … all of which require a present or two. Prep-ahead so you’re not caught out with this gift guide to the best drinks to wrap and gift this festive season. We’ve got a full list of inspiration for every type of person in your life, so you can be prepped for the party season. Happy gifting!

Christmas present ideas for the party planner

Keep entertaining experts happy with these bottles that get the party started, then explore more spirits and Champagnes that are perfect for gifting.

The ready-to-drink margarita: Every cocktail lover has a margarita recipe up their sleeve, so this year give them the gift of homemade margaritas! The Olmeca Altos Plata Margarita Kit includes plata tequila, Tommy’s margarita mix and a chilli citrus salt to rim the glasses. All they’ll have to do at their next party is shake it all up over ice.

The affordable French Champagne: Party planners appreciate good Champagne and love to receive it as much as they love to share it. The Nicolas Feuillatte Reserve Exclusive Brut has intense fruit flavours that are matched by a fine delicate bubble.

[H2]For the scotch (and rum) devotees

A standout among the wide range of Scotch whiskies that make great gifts, this amber spirit is a smart choice for lovers of dark spirits.

The interesting single malt: Here’s the perfect gift for people who like their whisky with nuance and a back story. The Balvenie 14YO Caribbean Cask Single Malt Whisky is matured in oak casks for 14 years before being finished in casks that originally held Caribbean rum. The whisky has a tropical aroma and notes of toffee, fruit and vanilla. Remind the lucky person getting this bottle to drink the whisky neat or with just a couple of drops of water to release the flavours.

Christmas present ideas for the global traveller

From Australia to Japan and Scandinavia, you can find amazing gin from all corners of the world, so which to choose for the jetsetter in your life? How about a bottle from Japan – it’s a premier destination for quality spirits and they are known for their clean tasting gins. Or take them on a direct flight to Scotland with a single malt whisky, like this award-winning Islay favourite.

The Japanese gin: This gift is for people who appreciate authentic gin and Japanese craftsmanship. The gin is called Roku (six in Japanese) after the number of botanicals used in its base. The botanicals, which include cherry blossoms, green tea and yuzu, are each harvested at the peak of their season for maximum flavour. The result is a super smooth gin that was also the International Gin Winner in our Best of Awards 2023. The gift pack contains a modern glass tumbler that’s perfect for happy hour G&Ts.

The top-notch Scotch: Everyone has a Scotch lover in the family and they’re usually pretty happy to receive one of the best. Laphroaig 10 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky is made on the Isle of Islay in Scotland and has all the flavours you’d expect from the region: hints of seaweed, vanilla notes and a peaty aroma. It was a finalist in the Best of Islay category in our Best of Awards 2023, so when you pop it under the tree, you know you’re onto an absolute winner. Complete the experience with a gift pack that includes two exclusive Laphroaig Dram Glasses.

Christmas present ideas for the trend setter

In our 2023 drinks trend predictions, we forecast that unusual wine styles and lighter chardonnays were on the rise. If you’re buying for someone who enjoys a little adventure in their glass, try these gift ideas. Plus, explore more French chardonnays for fans of old-world whites.

The experimental sparkling: Everyone knows someone who is eager to try a new wine style and is across all the hottest drink trends. Hit them up with a bottle of the Petaluma Second Blooming Pét-Nat. Pét-Nat (short for pétillant naturel in French) is a natural style of sparkling wine that’s made with minimal intervention. This one has citrus, ripe stone fruit and tropical green melon notes, while its complexity comes from wild fermentation.

The must-try white wine: While it’s not a new wine style, a Chablis definitely has the power to push an adventurous white drinker out of their comfort zone. Hailing from the northernmost wine district in Burgundy, the Patriache Chablis has mineral notes and flint, green apple and lemon flavours. Add a note to your card: best drunk young so no need to cellar.

Christmas present ideas for the wine traditionalists

If you’re buying for an all-round wine appreciator, you’re in luck – all you need to do is pick up a quality red, white or pink wine and you’re good to go. Try these picks and browse the range of premium pinot noirs, rosés and sav blancs to design your own gift pack.

The easy-drinking red: While some people love being pushed out of their comfort zones, others know what they like. For a red lover, put a bottle of the Nanny Goat Pinot Noir under the Christmas tree. Winner of the Premium Red (Lighter Varietals) category in our Best of Awards 2023, it’s light but full of flavour with a smooth finish. Gift it with a hamper of soft cheeses, pâté and chutneys for the perfectly paired present.

The ‘fine wine’ rosé: Pale pink and perfectly perfumed with raspberry and cranberry fruits, the Turkey Flat Rosé is light and crisp. Grown in the Barossa, the rosé is a blend of g renache, shiraz, cabernet sauvignon and dolcetto, which means it has a complexity that helps it punch above its weight. Rosé drinkers will love to crack this open at a long alfresco lunch.

The perfect NZ sav blanc: You can’t go wrong gifting a bottle of New Zealand sauvignon blanc. The Craggy Range Te Muna Road Sauvignon Blanc is sourced from vineyards grown on stony, limestone influenced soils and has those classic citrus and tropical fruit flavours this varietal is so well known for. Add a note with your present: this one matches well with seafood.

Products featured are available from 15/11/23 to 26/12/23, while stocks last. Some products or varieties featured may not be available in all stores.