Italy Wine Gift Bag

The Italy Wine Gift Bag is a carrier for presenting a bottle of wine, and its Italian theme suits bottles from Italy. It is listed as merchandise, not as a wine, so the bag itself has no grape, vintage, tasting profile or alcohol content. The product details give no materials, dimensions or bottle capacity, so check the bag in person if you are fitting a particular bottle. Wine gift bags are usually sized for a single standard 750 ml bottle. The bag works best when the wine inside has an Italian link, and the choice of bottle decides how the gift is served. A Chianti or Sangiovese-based red is usually served just below room temperature, around 16 to 18°C, in a medium-sized red wine glass. It pairs well with tomato-based pasta, grilled meats and aged hard cheeses. A crisp Pinot Grigio or Vermentino is better chilled to about 8 to 10°C in a smaller white wine glass, alongside seafood, risotto or light antipasti. Prosecco or another Italian sparkling wine should be served cold, around 6 to 8°C, in a tulip-shaped flute or a small white wine glass. Most gift-bottle Italian wines are made to be opened within a year or two. Fuller reds such as Barolo or Brunello are the exceptions, and they usually benefit from cellaring and an hour of decanting. Gift bags are generally for presenting a bottle and not for storing it. Take the bottle out for any extended storage, and keep it lying on its side if it has a cork, in a cool, dark place.