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Wine Gift Guide for Bosses, Clients & Employees

Wine Gift Guide for Bosses, Clients & Employees

Gifting Wine for Better Business

The people in your life want to feel seen and appreciated. And for you business owners out there, customers and employees are no exception. In fact, research shows that acknowledgment in the form of employee gifts can be critical to your company’s long-term success: 69% of employees say they would work harder if their efforts were appreciated.

When it comes to finding the right gift to give your customer or employee, wine might come to mind as a no-brainer – and for good reason. Gifting wine is a sophisticated and professional way to express appreciation in a corporate setting. And research supports that it is, perhaps, the best gift you can give.

Pouring Red Wine into Glass

Here are the top 6 reasons you should consider gifting wine for the acquisition of new customers and retention of employees:

1. Wine is a crowd-pleaser

This may come as a surprise, but the U.S. is the largest wine-consuming country in the world. That’s right, we drink even more wine than the French! With 40% of the population regularly drinking the beverage – that’s about 240 million people – someone is bound to appreciate the bottle you gift to your customer or employee. Everyone knows a wino or two. Chances are you might even be employing one!

2. Tastings: Make wine the theme of your next fun corporate event

 

Gifts alone are a great way to express appreciation for your employees. But even better are gifts at the end of a company-sponsored event. And even better than that are gifts at the end of a company-sponsored event where alcohol is served!

Wine tasting events make for excellent corporate mixers because nothing breaks the ice quite like a couple gulps of Chardonnay. But beyond just getting their buzz on, your employees will appreciate the opportunity to learn more about their favorite wines or discover new ones altogether.

Wine tasting events also work well in virtual environments. If your employees are remote, virtual wine tastings are the perfect team-building outlets. The same can be said for clients located in other cities. Learn more about In Good Taste’s sommelier-led virtual tastings by clicking here. You and your group can order your wine tasting flights in advance, then indulge (and learn) from the comfort of your own homes.

Virtual Wine Tastings Can Work Anywhere!

Employees and clients will leave your wine tasting event ready to step up their own hosting game. Not only will they get to sip on delicious varieties, but they’ll learn hosting hacks, like how to choose the best wine glass and tricks for building the ultimate charcuterie board. These tips will come in handy, especially around the holidays, and will always be remembered and appreciated.

3. Wine is a sophisticated way to say thank you

Lead generation, prospecting, and client relationship marketing are always at the forefront of every business owner’s mind. But how do you express gratitude for your clients (or soon-to-be clients) in a way that they’ll appreciate? Wine is always the answer.

A high-quality, crowd-pleasing bottle of wine, like Cabernet Sauvignon, goes a long way in customer retention. It shows that you’ve got taste, and it’s always valued by the recipient. Gift baskets usually go untouched and create lots of waste; tickets to sporting events can be hit-or-miss, depending on the client’s interests. Wines, on the other hand, are pretty much universally appreciated. They can be added to your client’s collection; re-gifted; or, most likely, consumed on the spot!

Explore different wine varieties here before selecting the type you’ll send as this year’s corporate gift.

4. Flexibility of choice

Few other gifts come in as many different varieties as wine. Gifting wine gives an employer or business owner the opportunity to customize corporate gifts to the tastes of individual employees and customers. Talk about feeling seen and appreciated! Check out these California Wine Mixer highlights for some varietal inspiration.

Customer engagement is critical to retention. Getting to know your customers, their likes and dislikes, then sending them an individualized bottle of wine is a simple way to take your account-based marketing strategy to another level. Personalized recognition like this could totally transform your business. According to a recent Gallup poll, companies that successfully engage their B2B customers realize 63% lower customer attrition. Consider that alongside the overall benefits of customer engagement through wine gifting.

Gifting Wine collections/variety packs offer flexibility of choive

5. Business gifts (like wine bottles) are tax-deductible

Cha-ching! You (and your wallet) can feel good about giving company gifts this year. Business gifts, such as bottles of wine, are tax-deductible. This means that gifting wine is a win-win situation for your business: it improves customer acquisition and employee morale while also benefiting your bottom line. Whether you're hoping to celebrate a new client's grand opening, or honor your staff on Employee Appreciation Day (March 4), Admin Professionals' Day (April 27) or Boss' Day (October 16), there's literally no downside. In fact, you could argue that there’s an opportunity cost involved in bypassing corporate gifts altogether.

6. Wine is fun, educational, and healthy(-ish)

Wine brings people together. It’s the reason humans have been drinking the beverage for thousands of years. The nuanced flavor profiles of different wines will get everyone talking, and their alcohol content takes the edge off of any social situation. Wine tastings are among the few events in which the learning process is actually fun and effortless.

Add to all the above that wine, especially red wine, can be good for your health (in moderation, of course), and it’s the perfect guilt-free gift that your customers and employees can feel good about indulging in. Just ask your doctor -- or, better yet, share a bottle with them on Doctor's Day (March 30) or Nurse's Day (September 5). Wine has no fat or cholesterol, and it’s still delicious – something that can hardly be said for most other edible treats. So, instead of being remembered as the diet-killer who sent that basket of candies, gift something sophisticated, fun, and healthy. Gift wine!

Rosé of Sangiovese

Andiamo

Sangiovese can be found in both the Chianti and Montalcino regions of Tuscany (it all sounds so romantic, right?) and is known for producing classic medium-bodied wines. Rosé wine is actually made from red grapes, and this is where the Rosé of Sangiovese comes to play. Crisp, fruit-forward, and easy-to-drink, it's everything you want in your bottle of Rosé and more.

Montepulciano

Andiamo

Big, bold, and full of flavor—exactly what you’d expect an Italian wine to be! This classic Italian grape produces some of Italy’s most straightforward red wines and is often used as a blending grape. Not here, though. We let Montepulciano do the heavy lifting as a heavy red wine and shine on its own. If you enjoy the smell of leather bound books, nibbling on dried fruit, and complementary notes of bitter, dark chocolate and sweet plums, you will love this Italian wine. No need to pair it with any certain dish—Montepulciano tastes great with all the Italian classics.

Cabernet Sauvignon

Unprecedented

If Pinot Noir is the light and juicy queen of reds, Cabernet Sauvignon is her bolder, heavier, meatier sister. Often referred to as just “cab,” it’s the wine of France’s Bordeaux and California’s Napa Valley. There’s nothing subtle about Cabernet Sauvignon—high in alcohol, full-bodied and robust, you can usually find this red served with a ribeye, New York Strip, or filet mignon (re: carnivores love cab). Classic cabs usually offer tasting notes of chocolate, coffee, and darker fruits like prunes and plums. The Unprecedented Cabernet Sauvignon is as classic as they come, and we highly recommend letting the bottle sit and mellow until your next red meat and potatoes dinner!

Pinot Grigio

La Pluma

If you’re looking for more zest in your life, a bottle of Pinot Grigio can provide that. We included a classic Pinot Grigio in the La Pluma collection because we’re all about light and easy here, which is exactly what this grape from Italy is. It has that dry sense of humor that seems so effortless with a punchy acidity to keep you on your toes, all while offering notes of lemon, limes, green apples, and honeysuckle. Long story short; when it’s been a heavy day and your soul is seeking light things only, you’ll be happy to have this bottle on hand.

Pinot Noir

Unprecedented

We couldn’t create the In Good Taste Unprecedented collection without the Golden Retriever of wines: Pinot Noir. Pinot is likable, it’s easy, and its natural state of being is simply charming. It’s an incredibly easy red wine to love, which is why so many people do. The grape itself is from the Burgundy region of France, but has made its way to California, Oregon, Australia, Italy, Argentina, and Germany since. Our Pinot Noir has no surprise twists—it’s a classic light red with just the right amount of sweetness to keep you coming back for another glass (or two).

Coteaux Bourguignons

Passport

The Burgundy region of France is home to their best Pinot Noirs, but we took the grapes into our own hands to create something extra special with our Coteaux Bourguignons. It’s a blend of Pinot Noir and Gamay, which results in a French red that’s light in body but full in flavor. The ripest blueberries and freshest herbs can be easily detected in this French burgundy blend. May we suggest pairing it with some creamy brie and freshly baked bread? It’s a oui-ning combo.

Verdicchio

Andiamo

A little sweet. A little tart. A little salty? You truly get it all with this white Italian wine. If you're into that biting acidity, Verdicchio will probably be high on your list of most-loved wines from our Andiamo collection. Citrus fruits like mandarin, lemon, and grapefruit are at the forefront, but what really sets this Italian wine apart is its distinct notes of almond. While our Verdicchio can start out tasting a bit tart, the more you sip, the smoother it becomes. In fact, we suggest approaching it as an aperitif (Italian for an alcoholic drink sipped before a meal to stimulate the appetite) to experience its full effect.

$23.99

Côtes du Rhône White

Passport

This was one of our first French wines to join the Passport collection and one sip will explain why. Some background on the Rhône Valley in France: While this region is known for its dark, juicy reds, a very small amount of special white wines are made in the Rhône Valley. Our Côtes du Rhône is packed with French-perfected, floral flavor and Old-World charm. Its natural tang paired with the weighty Marsanne grape and aromatic Roussanne grape results in a crisp, savory sip that’ll transport you to a sunbathing chair by the Rhône itself.

$23.99

Bordeaux Rouge

Passport

When you picture medieval folk sitting around a feast with goblets of wine, chances are they were drinking Bordeaux. This wine has been made in France since forever and is arguably the most classic French wine out there. Bordeaux is known for its full body, smoky notes, and rich, oaky taste. If you love cabs, chances are you will adore Bordeaux. For our Passport wines, we had to include this classic French red for you to sip and enjoy to your heart’s content. Best savored over a rich meal like lamb ragu, ratatouille, or BBQ.

$21.99

Ventoux Rosé

Passport

You probably know that the Tour de France is held on Ventoux Mountain in France, but did you know that the same area is known for its high-altitude rosé? This is the kind of quintessential French rosé that you don’t need to spin your wheels over—it’s simply delicious, crisp, and perfect for warm weather. Despite its delicate, pale pink color, each sip is lush with flavor, from tropical passionfruit and zesty citrus to refreshing melon. This has the potential to be your new summer go-to, so we’d suggest stocking up.

$21.99

Tempranillo

Wild Child

Say “¡Hola!” to Spain’s main grape: Tempranillo. This red grape put Rioja wine on the map and is un vino tinto classico. It’s best compared to a classic cab, but with a bit more unique magic that’s hard to put your finger on, which is why it’s a part of our Wild Child line. This medium- to full-bodied wine with its relatively higher tannins usually offers complex notes of cherry, fig, cedar, tobacco, and dill. This is the type of red wine you want to buy and pour for a Latin-infused meal; think carne asada, tacos al carbon, or just perfectly cooked steak fajita meat.

Grenache

La Pluma

We knew the only red in the La Pluma collection had to be exceptionally good and exceptionally light. That’s why including a Grenache was a no-brainer. If smooth, fruit-forward, light-bodied reds appeal to your tastebuds, this could be your new favorite. The grape itself is tricky; depending on the climate of where its grown, Grenache wines could be light, dense, or somewhere in the middle. La Pluma’s version has all the airiness and flavor notes we wanted in our Grenache, which is how we know you’ll love it. Get the most of this red by pairing it with roasted meats, spice-heavy vegetables, and Mexican-inspired dishes with lots of cumin.

$27.99

Moscato

Andiamo

This grape goes by different names in most European countries, but what remains the same is its fruity floral nature. Delicate in every way and extremely quaffable, this wine is as dainty as they come.

Barbera

Andiamo

We really try not to play favorites at In Good Taste, but there is just something about an Italian Barbera that hits different in the best way. Barberas are the perfect wine for pizza night; they're low in alcohol, and medium-bodied but taste super light, and their berry and plum flavors pair incredibly well with savory tomato sauce and cheese! Another fun thing about Barberas? They actually taste great when chilled, which is not something we're in the habit of suggesting for our red wines. Our Italian Barbera lies somewhere between the body of a cab and a pinot and is the ideal choice for a "ladies who lunch" kind of afternoon.

Vermentino

Wild Child

We couldn't not have a weird white in the mix, right?! The Vermentino grape is native along the coast of Italy on the island of Sardinia (yeah, like the fish). Because of its origin, this grape offers a salty, crisp flavor that's incredibly easy to drink and enjoy. We say it's "weird" only because it's not widely known by name, but chances are you've probably had it before if you've ever ordered white wine in an Italian restaurant. If you love peaches and lemons and get a kick out of anything that reminds you of the sea, our Vermentino is the perfect Italian white to experience on a sunny day outside.

Viognier

Unprecedented

For the Chardonnay lovers who are looking to dig a bit deeper in the world of bold whites, a Viognier (pronounced vee-own-yay) could be your next big adventure. Viogniers tend to have more range; while they can be creamy with hints of vanilla like their Chardonnay counterpart, they also offer lighter, fruitier flavors like tangerine, mango, and honeysuckle. It’s still a more full-bodied white wine, but unlike Chardonnay, it’s softer on acidity and more perfumed. Spend an afternoon with a glass of Viognier amongst the flowers and it’ll all make sense.

$24.99

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