A practical guide to choosing the right prestige bottle for gifting

Buying wine as a gift is never easy, especially when you want it to really count. There are so many questions – from price and provenance to the person and sense of occasion you are buying for – no wonder so many people just pick up a bottle with the prettiest label!

At Hackstons, our role is to narrow that decision. We want you to make an informed choice that reflects the sense of occasion. Every wine is selected for a reason – provenance, ageing potential, producer reputation, or style – so clients can choose with confidence.

To understand the Hackstons approach in more detail, we asked Whitney Jacobson, our Knightsbridge store manager, to explain how to buy an exceptional wine gift and the bottles he recommends that make exceptional gifts…

What makes an exceptional wine gift?

An exceptional wine gift is one that aligns with both the occasion and the individual.

“Wine is great for gifting because of the way you can use it to celebrate a special year,” Whitney explains. “A wine from a particular vintage (year), on the anniversary of a birth, wedding, or anything else can make a special occasion even more memorable.”

This is often the most effective starting point – linking the wine directly to a moment in time.

Beyond that, quality is determined by:

• Producer reputation
• Region and terroir
• Structure and ageing potential
• Condition and provenance

Is expensive wine always better?

This depends on multiple factors, not just quality.

“Price and quality can go hand in hand to a point,” Whitney says. “Personally I have found that the range from £25–75 gives you the best chance to find good to great wines from top producers. 

“However, that range can go up a bit when you start to look at wines with 10+ years of aging, and there will often be a premium to pay for older wines. At Hackstons, it’s our job to find the best value for your money possible!”

Why do some wines cost so much?

“This is a tricky subject, and one I get a lot here at Hackstons,” says Whitney. “When it comes to the cost of something like a bottle of Chateau Petrus Pomerol 2012 [£3,395], the basic equation is supply and demand. 

“Petrus only produces about 30,000 bottles each year – miniscule by wine standards, and far outpacing the global demand. Factor in the legendary reputation of the wine’s exceptional quality, and that only makes the demand that much higher.”

When scarcity is combined with long-term reputation, pricing increases significantly. This applies across Bordeaux, Burgundy and other top regions.

Should you open an expensive wine gift?

Absolutely, Whitney says. “Because we source wines that are ready to drink, the 2012 Petrus is just now entering its prime drinking window, and will be drinking at a high level for the next 3 decades.”

High-value wines are not just for collecting. Timing matters, but they are intended to be enjoyed.

6 exceptional wine gifts selected by Whitney at Hackstons

As a certified sommelier, Whitney enjoys bringing a broad range of products across regions, vintages and price points to customers at Hackstons.

The following six wines, chosen by Whitney, represent different styles of exceptional wine gifting – from mature Bordeaux to rare fortified wines and prestige Champagne.

Exceptional wine gifts for him

Chateau Margaux Premier Cru Classé 1996

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Whitney says: “Chateau Margaux from Bordeaux is one of the 5 ‘First Growths’ in the region, and as such makes incredible wines every year. 1996 was a very, very good vintage, so when you add them together, this is something special. Although it is 30 years old, the wine still has plenty left as it enters the mature stage of its life.”

Price: £735

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Vignobles Levet, Cote Rotie La Perevine

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Whitney says: “One of my favorite appellations in the world, Cote Rotie wines take the dense and meaty Syrah, and add a splash of the aromatic white grape Viognier. The marriage between those 2 seemingly opposite styles creates a wine with depth, complexity, savoury notes, and a beautiful lift from the Viognier.”

Price: £105

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Penfolds 50 Year Old Rare Aged Tawny, Barossa Valley

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Whitney says: “An incredibly rare wine from the most prestigious estate in Australia. Only 330 bottles were produced of this elixir, with some of the wines in the blend dating to 1915! A wine with few equals.”

Price: £1,560

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Exceptional wine gifts for her

Domaine de Chevalier, Blanc Cru Classé, Pessac-Léognan

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Whitney says: “Arguably one of the great wine wines from Bordeaux, this blend of Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon shows off the world class winemaking of the region. Because these wines see some oak aging, they are built to age gracefully for decades, plus we have this in-store in a magnum, meaning it will continue to improve for many years.”

Price: £175

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Dom Ruinart Blanc de Blancs Champagne

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Whitney says: “In 2022 it was awarded the title of Supreme World Champion, as well as Best Champagne and Best French Sparkling Wine at the Champagne and Sparkling Wine World Championships. 100% Chardonnay from only Grand Cru vineyards and the pedigree of the oldest Champagne house – what more needs to be said!”

Price: £195

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Domaine Belargus Roueres, Quarts de Chaume Grand Cru

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Whitney says: “An intensely sweet wine from the Anjou sub-region of the Loire Valley. The Botrytis affected Chenin Blanc grapes make a wine that can compete with the best of Sauternes. Rich, unctuous, honeyed, yet delicate, this wine is made to be paired with a delicious foie gras!”

Price: £90

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How do you preserve an exceptional wine after opening?

Tools like Coravin, which lets you pour a glass without even removing the cork, change how high-value bottles can be enjoyed.

“The Coravin Timeless Three+ is one of the best modern wine inventions ever,” Whitney explains.
“Because it preserves the wine as it extracts it, you can enjoy an incredible wine at home over a month or more without opening the bottle.

“I especially love to use it for sweet wines, so I can have a small glass after dinner without worrying about the wine going bad after a few days.”

This is particularly useful for older or rare wines where controlled access is preferred.

Why buy exceptional wine gifts from Hackstons?

Choosing an exceptional wine is about confident selection. At Hackstons, every bottle is sourced by and assessed by industry experts. This allows clients to make a considered selection – whether buying a wine gift, building a collection, or selecting a bottle for a specific occasion. 

As store manager, Whitney is passionate about helping customers buy the right wine for the right occasion – for more help and advice visit our Knightsbridge store or call 020 4553 6536.