Gift baskets are a quickly becoming a popular means of giving gifts. They can be given for any occasion to anyone. Wine gift baskets are an elegant gift that both men and women can appreciate. The typical occasions for giving wine are weddings, birthdays and anniversaries, while other popular occasions including Christmas and New Years.

The most important choice in a wine basket is the wine itself. Wine comes in two varieties - red and white. Red wine is made from red and black grapes while white wine is made from white grapes. Popular red wines are cabernet sauvignon, merlot and Grenache. Red wines are usually full flavored. The chocolaty flavor of merlots makes them a very popular choice among women. Grenaches contain a slight taste of raspberries.

The other type of wine is white wine. Obviously white wines will be made from white grapes. Chardonnays are the most preferred white wines. They appear to be fruity on the palet with varying degrees of vanilla.

Choosing the right wine can be a difficult task. Wine retailers usually have recommendations based on the occasion, your budget, the recipient, etc. All of these factors are important in choosing the right wine. For example, if you are buying a gift basket for an experienced wine enthusiast, you may want to find a more interesting wine. On the other hand, a beginning enthusiast will enjoy a mid-range bottle of wine.

The final step in purchasing a wine gift basket will be the accessories that you will include. Accessories for wine baskets can include food, tools, and literature. It is important to select the food according to preference of the receiver and also to the type of wine. Toasted sesame crackers are usually included with white wines, while a chocolate bar works best with a cabernet. Other foods that are generally included in wine baskets are apples and oranges, cheese spreads, cashews and olives.

A common accessory included in many gift baskets is the wine glass. Wine glasses are almost as particular as the wine itself. The type of wine chosen will determine the type of glass in which the wine is served. Red wines are served in glasses with shorter stems and larger bowls. White wines are served in long stemmed glasses with small bowls. Champagne is served in fluted glasses.

It is not unusual for other items to be included in wine gift baskets. These other items can be determined by the occasion and the recipient. For example, a beginning enthusiast may enjoy some good literature on choosing a wine. Alternatively, a basket given for an anniversary may include some spa products so that it has a more romantic feel.