Gift boxes

Giving a bottle that’s already dressed up means choosing the packaging along with the wine. A cardboard sleeve stays light and slips into a bag. A wooden crate or fitted case is heavier but helps protect the bottle from knocks, and can later hold other bottles.

Also look at how the box closes and carries. A handle or a cord makes it easier to bring to a dinner; a hinged or sliding lid opens again without damaging the box, which matters if it will be reused.

One Bottle or Several in the Same Box

A single-bottle box puts one wine in the spotlight: a vintage Champagne or a cuvée the recipient wouldn’t buy for themselves. Bring it to a dinner party or give it as a thank-you.

With several bottles, the box can carry a whole meal: three colors from the same producer run from rosé with appetizers to red with the main course. Two Champagnes from the same estate can be compared over one evening.

Before choosing, check each bottle’s size on the product page: some sets hold smaller bottles. Our 5 gift sets for wine lovers offer more examples.

Champagne with Its Flutes, Ready for a Toast

A box that pairs Champagne with flutes makes a good gift for a couple: a wedding anniversary or an engagement. The day the bottle is opened, the glasses are already there, matching the gift.

To choose the Champagne itself, browse our Champagnes or our sparkling gifts, then check on the product page what the box includes: how many flutes, an added item, or the bottle alone.

For a toast the same evening, the bottle can spend a few hours at the bottom of the fridge before serving, as the Comité Champagne suggests.

A Spirits Gift Set for Gin and Rum Lovers

Some people prefer spirits to wine. For a gin, rum or whisky lover, a set of small bottles lets them taste several before settling on a full-size bottle. It stores easily and can be shared, before dinner or after the meal.

It also works as a group gift when you don’t know the person’s tastes well: several bottles leave the choice to them. Check the product page for the spirits offered and the size of each bottle.

Gift Box Questions: Accessories, Sleeves and Champagne

What should you put in a wine gift box with the bottle?

In a wine gift box, add what the recipient will need to open and serve the bottle. A waiter’s corkscrew, a pour spout or two glasses suited to the wine’s color round out the gift without weighing it down.

Can you keep Champagne in its gift sleeve?

Yes, Champagne can stay in its sleeve until it’s opened: a closed sleeve keeps it in the dark. The Comité Champagne recommends a dark, odor-free spot and says the bottle can be stored upright or lying down. Also avoid a warm room.

When should you open Champagne you received as a gift?

Champagne received as a gift should rest a few days before opening if it has traveled a long way, the Comité Champagne advises. Like any wine, it benefits from settling before it’s served. Kept away from light, it can then wait for the occasion of your choice.

What wine gift box should you give a client or colleague?

For a client or colleague, choose a wine gift box that’s ready to hand over as is, at the office or at a meeting. Pick a wine that can wait a few months, since it may not be opened right away: a Champagne or an age-worthy red in a wooden crate, for example.

Where can you buy a wine gift box direct from the winemaker?

You can buy a wine gift box direct from the winemaker on Avenue des Vins. Each order is prepared and sent by the producer, not from a warehouse.

See also: Wines for gifts - Large Formats - Special wedding selection