What your wine gift says about you

It is a little cheesy, but it could be said that the wine you gift is a window to your soul.  But first, let’s talk about the ubiquitous but incredibly specific culture of giving and receiving. 

You’re running late to another friend’s HK wine dinner, and you haven’t had a chance to really think about what you can contribute for the evening.  You didn’t have time to decant that one bottle you considered earlier in the day, and the other option has too much sediment to be mobile.  The third option might be a fake.  Suddenly, you’re vexed.  There is an expectation – YOU have an expectation.  What does your wine say about you, and equally as profound, what does it say about the receiver?

Since ancient times around the world, the act of gifting has involved powerful notions of wealth, dominance and even the afterlife.  Now it is also embellished as one of five love languages!  Consider the unspoken social norms of being invited to something – how often have you uttered the words “I didn’t want to show up empty handed”?  Gift giving studies have shown that people feel better about themselves when giving, and there is a mutual feeling of greater social connection.  It is also contagious.

Let’s be clear. Gifting is loaded in the best way. The intentions behind a gift can often be more valuable than the gift itself, signaling that that relationship is far more than the materials in between.  It has echoes of moral, social and cultural obligations.

"Let’s be clear. Gifting is loaded in the best way."

In case the feelings on your sleeve make you feel vulnerable, giving wine is the excellent choice to moderate the psychological complexities that go along with choosing a present.  Wine is the best gift when you’ve got it all together, and also when you don’t.  It comes beautifully packaged already, and is sure to be received with two hands, heartfelt as it is.  Fine wine will showcase your integrity and thoughtfulness in only the best ways, and it can often be interpretable enough to make way as a talking point.  Wine obviously also hits all the senses, and you can let those cascading tannins and ballooning aromatics do the talking for you.

In ancient Persia, wine was viewed as a divine gift.  Wines were endowed with special power through the act of giving.  Imagine the joy or trepidation you feel in selecting a wine for your friend, boss, or team gathering…a gift for wine lovers…the hopes and expectations you normally only project onto your children (just kidding..or am I?).  It is a soulful choice, and reveals the best of who you are.

"It is indeed a glimpse into your mind, your mood and your inspirations."

Wine has a unique way of finding a sense of belonging seemingly anywhere.  When everyone is bringing older vintages of Roumier, you might decide that the pet nat in your fridge is the best refresher between grand crus. And in all likelihood, so does everyone else. Wine is for all, wine is for drinking, and wine is for gifting.

 

	Yvonne Cheung
	Yvonne Cheung is an award winning sommelier based in Hong Kong. She worked previously as the Group Director of Wines for Swire Hotels, as well as the Director of Food and Beverage for The Upper House. She joins Ginsberg+Chan as a special contributor.

 

Need help?  Reach out to us at sales@ginsbergchan.com to help you chose the right bottles for your gifts.  We can organise gift wrapping and deliveries too.