Between lavish summer lunches, Christmas and New Year, the end of year demands an abundant stockpile of gifts to grab and go. Celebratory and full of joy, a bottle of champagne is the smart choice. Whether the recipient is an environmentalist at heart, a know-it-all wine connoisseur or a hedonist with luxurious taste, choosing the best bottle for the right beneficiary, and adding a hand-written note, will stand you in good stead this season.
The gift for the Devotee of Celebration
We all know that one optimist who just loves to celebrate, on every occasion. This is just the gift for them. If ever there was a Maison that forged the association between celebration and champagne, it’s Moët & Chandon, the 280-year-old Grande Maison that brought champagne to the world. With a unique wine for every occasion, choose the Moët & Chandon Impérial that best suits your preference. This year, they have been released in 3 beautiful, special edition gift boxes that cue the festive spirit. Toast with Moët to the effervescence of the end of 2023 and hail in a brand-new year with the champagne that is synonymous with glamorous celebration.
For the Sustainable Sophisticate
The eco-warriors in your life will thank you for this. Ranking high on the sustainability scale, Ruinart’s second skin packaging is produced from 100% natural wood fibres and results in a 60% carbon footprint reduction. Blended exclusively from chardonnay grapes, this delicate champagne balances freshness and roundness. With its citrus and tropical fruit flavours, this one calls for a late afternoon seafood platter and a view over the ocean.
For the Design Minded
250 years of ‘solaire culture’ have resulted in innovative and collectible designs from Veuve Clicquot. Customised by the major South African cities, their Yellow Label Clicquot Arrow box nods to the joy of travel and also features the distance from each city back to Reims, the home of Veuve Clicquot. The Clicquot x Smeg Fridge is just as much of a gift as its contents. P.S. It is plastic-free and constructed from recyclable tin! The Icons collection offers something for each of your sunny crew to see them through to 2024 in style.
For the Romantic in Search of Balance
Amalgamating a chorus of 131 wines from 12 different years, Krug’s Grand Cuvée is balance in a bottle. The epitome of champagne craftmanship, their elegant 171 st Edition offers notes of citrus and marzipan with flavours of almond paste, quince and lemon. Enjoy it with your dearest and pair with a wedge of mature Comté or a killer slice of cheesecake.
For the Hard-to-impress Wine Connoisseur
We all have one, that particular individual who knows it all, but fear not, this icon of luxury is sure to earn you that long-awaited nod. In this instance you can hand over your bottle and muse nonchalantly about Dom Pérignon’s vintage-only philosophy. Be sure to mention that the 2013 harvest in particular was a late one, due to a cool spring and hot summer and the result balances acidity with a full body. Proceed to drop the mic.
