Is a wine advent calendar worth it? We show you the best calendars for 2024, what to look out for and how to put together your own DIY advent calendar.
Do you find yourself standing in front of the shelf wondering whether a wine advent calendar is really a good investment? For €60 to €90 you get 24 mini bottles of wine — but is the value for money fair, or are you just paying for attractive packaging?
After years of testing various wine advent calendars, I can tell you: it depends. Some calendars are genuine journeys of discovery through the wine world; others contain interchangeable supermarket wines in miniature format. In this guide I will show you what to look out for, which calendars are really worth it and how to put together your own personalised wine advent calendar.
Let's find out together whether a wine advent calendar is the right gift for you or your loved ones.
A wine advent calendar contains 24 mini bottles of wine, one for each day from 1 to 24 December. Bottle size varies by calendar:
Most calendars contain a mix of red, white and rosé wines, sometimes including sparkling wines or special mulled wine varieties. The wines typically come from European wine regions such as Germany, France, Italy, Spain and Portugal.
Let's look at the numbers:
Example calculation:
For comparison: a good bottle of wine in a supermarket costs €8 to €15; at a specialist wine merchant €12 to €25.
What the maths shows: you pay a premium of around 30 to 50 percent for:
A wine advent calendar is not worth it for the value for money — it is worth it for the journey of discovery. You try 24 different wines without having to buy 24 full bottles.
YES, it is worth it for:
NO, it is not worth it for:
Based on tests and customer reviews, here are the top recommendations:
Geile Weine Advent Calendar
Boxiland Wine Advent Calendar
WirWinzer German Wine Advent Calendar
Bixnstoff Mulled Wine Advent Calendar
In this price range you will find solid calendars from retailers such as Lidl, Aldi or online shops. The quality is comparable to better supermarket wines — not spectacular, but perfectly drinkable.
What to look for:
The larger the fill volume, the better the value for money — but also the higher the total price.
Good calendars contain:
Avoid calendars with:
Never buy last year's calendars or clearance stock. You do not know how they were stored and the wine quality may have suffered. Wine in mini bottles is more sensitive than in standard bottles.
Reputable providers show:
The packaging should:
A homemade wine advent calendar is more personal and often of higher quality than a bought one. Here is how to do it:
My recommendation for 24 bottles:
White wines (8 bottles):
Red wines (10 bottles):
Rosé wines (3 bottles):
Sparkling wines (3 bottles):
Option 1: Buy mini bottles
Option 2: Decant standard bottles
Simple version:
Creative version:
Luxury version:
For each bottle, a small card with:
Tip 1: Buy early The best wine advent calendars are often sold out by the end of October. Order by the beginning of November at the latest.
Tip 2: Pay attention to storage Store the calendar in a cool, dark place — not by a window or next to a radiator. Ideal: a cellar or cool hallway.
Tip 3: Enjoy together 100 ml is perfect for two people. Share a bottle every evening and discuss the flavours and aromas.
Tip 4: Keep notes Write down which wines you enjoyed. That way you can buy full bottles later.
Tip 5: Blind tasting Some calendars have unlabelled bottles. This makes the tasting more exciting — try to guess the grape variety and origin!
Tip 6: Serve wines at the right temperature Even mini bottles benefit from the correct drinking temperature:
Tip 7: Use leftovers wisely If you do not enjoy a wine, use it for cooking. Red wine for sauces, white wine for risotto.
Mistake 1: Buying too late The best calendars are gone by the end of November. Order by 10 November at the latest.
Mistake 2: Focusing only on price The cheapest calendar is rarely the best. Invest an extra €20 for significantly better quality.
Mistake 3: Wrong storage Next to a radiator or in a window, quality suffers. Store cool and dark.
Mistake 4: Opening all the bottles at once The temptation is great, but the surprise is lost. Stick to the advent calendar rhythm.
Mistake 5: Buying last year's models Even if they are on sale — the storage is often questionable and the wines could be oxidised.
Mistake 6: Giving without thinking it through Find out beforehand whether the recipient prefers red, white or rosé. Some calendars have a clear focus.
If the standard calendars do not appeal to you, here are some alternatives:
Mulled wine advent calendar: 24 different mulled wine varieties — perfect for cold winter evenings. Usually with 250 ml bottles, so considerably more content.
Sparkling wine advent calendar: 24 mini bottles of Sekt, Champagne, Prosecco and Cava — for those who love bubbles.
Organic wine advent calendar: Exclusively organically or biodynamically produced wines — for eco-conscious wine lovers.
Regional advent calendar: Only wines from one specific region (e.g. Palatinate, Bordeaux, Tuscany) — ideal for regional enthusiasts.
Wine accessories calendar: Instead of wine, it contains 24 wine accessories (corkscrew, decanter, glass markers, etc.) — for true wine geeks.
A wine advent calendar is not a bargain, but it is a wonderful way to discover a new wine every day in Advent. You pay a premium for variety, surprise and a playful approach to the subject of wine.
My recommendation:
Buy a ready-made calendar if you:
Put together your own if you:
The best ready-made calendars 2024:
My DIY tip: Invest €120 in 24 high-quality piccolo bottles from a specialist wine merchant. With personal tasting notes, this becomes a gift that will never be forgotten.
Whether bought or homemade — a wine advent calendar turns the pre-Christmas period into a pleasurable journey of discovery. A different wine, new aromas and new stories every evening. And when you open the last bottle on 24 December — perhaps a special sparkling wine — you will know: this Advent was something special.
Cheers and a wonderful Advent season!
Not because of the value for money, but because of the journey of discovery. You pay around a 30 to 50 percent premium for 24 mini bottles, but in return you get to taste different wines without having to buy 24 bottles. Ideal for wine beginners, the curious, and as a gift, less so for bargain hunters and wine pros.
Good calendars cost 60 to 90 euros for 24 mini bottles. With a 100 ml calendar for 69.90 euros, you pay the equivalent of around 21.85 euros per standard bottle. Basic calendars from Lidl or Aldi are available from 40 to 60 euros in upmarket supermarket quality.
Look for at least 100 ml per bottle (better 187 ml Piccolo or 250 ml), a mix of red, white, and rosé, current vintages rather than previous-year models, and transparency about grape varieties, origin, and winemaker. Buy early, because the best calendars are often sold out by the end of October.
Set a budget (60 to 200 euros), choose 24 wines, for example 8 white wines, 10 red wines, 3 rosés, and 3 sparkling wines, then buy Piccolo bottles (187 ml) from a specialist merchant or decant standard bottles. With personal tasting notes, it becomes an unforgettable gift.
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