How should you behave in these situations? What should you say? Is it right to be honest? In short, what should you do when you're given a bottle of wine you don't like?

If you're asking yourself these questions, here's a practical guide, based on the rules of modern etiquette, to handle the situation with elegance, gratitude and respect.

Photo: Nicky from Pixabay

Gifted wine you don’t like: here’s what to do according to Etiquette

Gifting wine is a noble gesture that requires attention, good taste, and at least a basic understanding of the recipient's preferences. However, it can happen that you don’t quite get their tastes right. No problem: as we’ll see, this situation is absolutely manageable.

But first, let’s look at two fundamental pieces of advice that anyone receiving a bottle of wine, even one they don’t particularly like, should follow to avoid awkwardness and always maintain a respectful and elegant attitude.

1. Always say thank you: appreciate the gesture, not just the gift itself

This is the most important advice. A gift is always, first and foremost, an act of kindness. Even if the wine doesn’t match your taste, it’s important to sincerely thank the person who gave it to you. Courtesy is the foundation of good manners and proper etiquette.

Don’t forget that the person who gave you the gift took time, care, and resources to choose that bottle, so they did it with you in mind. The least you can do is express your gratitude.

This, of course, applies to any kind of gift: more than the content itself, what truly matters is the gesture. That’s why a gift should always be acknowledged with at least a heartfelt “thank you”.

2. Don’t say you don’t like it: be kind and diplomatic

Saying that you know that wine and don’t like it is certainly rude. The person who gave you the gift would likely feel offended or, at the very least, unappreciated. In these situations, it’s important to take a more diplomatic approach.

This means you need to act with tact, delicacy and respect. Specifically:

• avoid openly saying that you don’t like the wine

• use kind, polite and positive sentences to acknowledge the gesture

In this case, it’s better to focus on the value of the gesture without going into the details of the wine. Use sentences like these:

• Thank you so much for this thoughtful gift, that’s really kind of you!

• What a thoughtful gift, thank you!

• I really appreciate the gift, thank you!

If someone asks you whether you already know that wine or asks for a preliminary opinion, it’s better to stay vague. If you know it doesn’t or might not suit your tastes, avoid saying so and avoid making value judgments about the wine. Instead, emphasize your willingness to discover it better. After thanking them, use sentences like these:

• I’m curious to taste it slowly to get to know it better!

• I can’t wait to take the time to appreciate it properly

• I would like to taste it calmly to fully grasp its qualities

Finally, what should you do if they ask for your opinion after you’ve tasted the wine? In these cases, it is advisable to talk about the positive aspects of the wine, avoiding mentioning the negative notes. For example, you could highlight the best qualities without going into details about what you didn’t like.

• It has an interesting bouquet of aromas and a unique character

• It’s a wine different from the usual that allowed me to discover new sensations

Sentences like these let you respond with kindness and tact, showing the proper respect and appreciation toward the person who gave you the gift.

What to do with a gifted wine you don’t like

After thanking, let’s see what to do with a wine received as a gift that doesn’t suit your tastes.

1. Share it

Sometimes, a wine that doesn’t completely match your tastes might be enjoyed by someone else you know. They could be friends, family or colleagues. In these cases, finding an opportunity to share it is a great solution.

Here’s what you can do:

• bring it to an informal dinner with friends

• serve it at a family lunch

• use it during a tasting with friends

This way, even if it doesn’t match your tastes, the wine might still find someone who appreciates it.

2. Use it in cooking

If you really don’t like the gifted bottle and don’t have the chance to serve it in other social occasions, you can always use it for cooking. It’s better to put it to good use than to leave it unused or, even worse, waste it. If it’s a very fine wine, we recommend keeping it stored until other occasions arise to serve it.

Wine is a versatile ingredient. It can be used in various preparations, such as:

• deglazing meat or vegetables in a pan

• preparing risottos and stewed meat

• marinating meat, fish and vegetables

• making sauces

• preparing some desserts

However, this is still an extreme option. If possible, always try to find an occasion to share it.

3. Re-gift it

This is also an extreme option, but a valid one if handled with care. Etiquette does not forbid re-gifting a present, as long as it is done with the utmost attention and discretion. If the bottle is still sealed and well preserved, you can consider giving it to someone else who might appreciate it more.

Of course, it’s crucial to be very careful. Always make sure not to give the wine back to the person who gave it to you, nor to relatives or friends of the giver. A small oversight could turn into a very embarrassing situation, which should be absolutely avoided.

We hope this brief guide can help you manage the rare cases when you don’t like the wine you’ve been given as a gift.