Choosing a present for a serious wine enthusiast can be a minefield, according to a drinks industry veteran with over two decades of experience. Rob Buckhaven, writing for Metro, explains that while the sentiment is always appreciated, not all gifts are welcomed equally by those passionate about their wine and spirits.
The Pitfalls of Buying for a Drinks Aficionado
Buckhaven, a self-confessed wine buff, recounts receiving everything from the good to the downright bizarre over the years. He warns well-meaning gift-givers to steer clear of novelty items like aerators, whisky stones, or decanters in questionable shapes. For someone who collects, researches, and invests in wine, a clichéd t-shirt is unlikely to hit the mark.
The key, he advises, is to look for gifts that further their education or pique their interest—be it a book, an experience, or a piece of clever kit. He also cautions against buying glassware unless you know their collection, or bottles from complex regions like Bordeaux or Burgundy unless you have a generous budget.
The Ultimate Wine Lover's Gift Guide
Drawing on his 24-year career, Buckhaven has curated a list of ten standout gifts that will delight any drinks lover. Here are his expert selections:
Fresh n’ Preserve by Peugeot, £49.99: More than just a car maker, Peugeot offers this champagne set featuring a cooler and a dual-action pump to preserve leftover fizz, banishing the old teaspoon-in-the-bottle trick.
2026 Wine Wisdom Desk Calendar, £11.99: Packed with daily facts from pronunciation guides to glassware advice, this calendar is created by educator Amanda Selby of Drink With Me.
Champagne Bollinger 007 Limited-Edition Gift Pack, £55: Celebrating four decades of Bond and Bollinger, this rich, apple-skin-noted champagne is a must for film and wine fans.
A Lifetime Membership to The Wine Society, £40: This member-owned club offers access to well-priced, quality wines, tastings, and exclusive selections, with profits reinvested.
Clementine & Juniper Mulling Syrup from Fortnum & Mason, £19.95: An alcohol-free syrup from the iconic store, perfect for mulling wine, cider, or juice with festive flavours.
The Tasting Studio's Grape Fundamentals Pack & Course, £89: An online course exploring nine key grape varieties, complete with optional wine samples for tasting along.
Limited Edition Portobello Road X All Things Butter Gin, £33: A unique gin redistilled with organic salted butter, offering a creamy, subtly salty texture.
'Savour: a guide to tasting and exploring whiskies of the world' by Kristiane Westray, £11: A practical global whisky guide from an expert, covering distilleries from Scotland to South Africa.
Perrier Jouët Grand Brut Champagne Limited-Edition Gift Set, £52: Includes a bottle of the fresh, floral champagne and two art nouveau hand-painted glasses—a rare glassware recommendation.
'Wine: Everything You Need to Know' by Olly Smith, £12.99: The TV presenter's comprehensive, bright orange compendium, covering basics to bucket-list bottles.
What Definitely Not to Buy
Buckhaven ends with a firm list of items to avoid. Whisky rocks, wine aerators, and Champagne silencers top his 'do not buy' list, alongside any novelty item and cumbersome twin-lever corkscrews. His rule of thumb: if a sommelier doesn't use it, a serious enthusiast probably doesn't want it.
The guide, published on December 6, 2025, aims to take the guesswork out of gifting for the discerning drinker this Christmas.
