When someone gifts you a bottle of wine, is it bad etiquette to save it for later or do I have to open it then

Answer 1

cute question ,the intention is to drink then .
so Yes its bad etiquette for you to keep it .
unless you already have some wine bottle open ,then you have theme choose ,which one they desire.

Answer 2

If it is a gift, you may open it whenever you like. If the wine is a contribution to a pot luck dinner it is to be opened and shared.

If you feel awkward by accepting the wine and then stashing it, there are several ways to thank the giver and save the bottle for some later date:

If you are entertaining a large group: With a nod to the crowd say thank you and while admiring the selection add that you'll be saving it for a more intimate gathering. You can even suggest that giver will be included when you do uncork the gift.

If a guest brings a bottle to a dinner party: Once again SAY THANK YOU! Always begin with a sign of appreciation. Then while admiring the gift, (always do this part too, no matter what you may truly think of the selection,) explain that you have already chosen the wines to accompany this meal but can't wait to plan a future dinner around this wonderful vintage.

Try answering the modified versions of your question:
When someone gifts you a case of wine, is it bad etiquette to save it for later or do I have to open it then?
When all of your guests each gift you a case of wine, is it bad etiquette to save it for later or do I have to open it then?
No matter what the number, the answer is always the same.

Don't forget, it would be very bad etiquette if a written note of thanks did not follow your verbal thank you's.

Answer 3

I find it bad etiquette to open it.

If I have a planned meal, usually I plan the wine to go with it, and I'll make sure that I have some for all the people attending the meal (usually more than one bottle!!!). I would not want to promote a "come with your own drinks" approach, or to end up with a table where everybody is drinking something different! a meal together is about sharing, not about byo.

A bottle is a gift and I will say thanks, that looks great!!! with the meal I have planned "XXX", but I look forward trying this!!! - unless I have stated in the invitation "bring your own booze", and then I will lay out the bottle openers.

Answer 4

If you have invited friends over for dinner and your guest brings a bottle or wine, you have to open it for dinner and serve it. Especially if when you invited the guest, they inquire about what you will be serving, Fish or Meat. In which case the guest may be obligated to bring a red or white type of wine.

If you have having a house warming party and someone give it to you as a gift, you do not have to open it, but when you send a thank you card you can mention how mush you enjoyed the gift and are looking forward to drinking it in the future It would be a nice gesture if you open it or ask the person who gave it to you if they would like some wine if you invite them to dinner or if they are just visiting. If you open the bottle of wine without the person in the future you should not feel guilty because it was a gift and you thanked them for it.

Answer 5

Read this please

DEAR ABBY: Late last summer, we invited another couple -- good friends -- over for an informal dinner. When they walked in, they handed me a basket of fresh-picked vegetables from their garden.


Abby, I had a complete meal prepared. I love fresh vegetables and don't mind adding them to a meal. However, because the dinner was already on the table, I had to put everything on hold and find a way to keep everything warm while I prepared what they had brought.

I take pride in preparing a good meal and worried that it might not taste the same after having sat for 15 or 20 minutes. I feel they should have let me know in advance so I could have had water boiling when they arrived.

At the time, my husband told me not to say anything because it's the thought that counts, but it's still bothering me. How do you think I should handle this in the future? That wasn't the first time they have come to dinner with a "surprise" contribution, and it won't be the last. -- READY TO SERVE IN NEW HAMPSHIRE

DEAR READY TO SERVE: Just because someone brings a gift of food or wine when he or she comes to dinner, the host is under no obligation to serve it. What you should have done was put their veggies in the fridge to enjoy at another meal and not stressed yourself out.

Answer 6

Most of the time the wine should be saved, as you have already planned your dinner and the wine that you plan to serve. It is a gift, not an addition to the meal (necessarily). But if you'd like to offer the wine, that is fine as well.

Answer 7

#1. If the bottle is gift-wrapped, the giver means for you to save it. Don't open it even if a dinner is being served. It could be his/her intention that the wine is only for YOU and not to be shared with other guests.
#2. If the bottle is brought to a dinner and it's not gift-wrapped, you can open it.
#3. If the bottle is gift-wrapped and no dinner is served, save it.
#4. If the bottle is NOT gift-wrapped and no dinner is served, ask the gifter.

Answer 8

When someone brings a gift of wine, etiquette dictates you should serve it with dinner, unless you specifically ask, shall I serve this with dinner or would you prefer I set it aside for another occasion? Especially if you already have wine ready to be served. That way, the decision is theirs, and nobody feels awkward. Sometimes people bring wine only because they think it's the right thing to do, not that they really want to drink it.

Answer 9

If you are having a dinner or cocktail party, it is appropriate to open the wine right away. If you get a bottle for your birthday, anniversary, or Christmas, you can save it for another time.

Answer 10

save it! if it is a gift to you then its completely appropriate to enjoy it at a later time, as oppossed to someone bringing wine to a dinner invitation , in that case you should open it and let them enjoy it