Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Original poster

Is Prosecco an acceptable gift?

172 replies

DonnaSueWeloveyou · 10/05/2025 20:47

Just that. I have no idea what’s currently in or out of fashion for a smallish present.

The recipient is definitely someone who drinks alcohol.

All opinions gratefully received, thank you!

OP posts:
Original poster
DonnaSueWeloveyou · 11/05/2025 07:05

hopsalong · 10/05/2025 21:46

Not in my book. Find it a sad gift. No real thought, and if I have to drink it I spend the whole time thinking how frothy and sweet and flavourless it is. You can buy much better white wine for the same price. Or just do it properly and get a bottle of champagne. The Waitrose own brand one is good and about £25, less when they have a sale. Champagne is always a brilliant gift.

Or get a nice box of chocolates.

Thanks, chocolates might be a good idea.

OP posts:
ghostyslovesheets · 11/05/2025 07:06

As a gift I’d be very happy - I like getting nice presents as it’s nice the people think about you!

I don’t like it but my best mate does so I’d take it to hers next time we had a get together

it’s the thought that counts for me

Original poster
DonnaSueWeloveyou · 11/05/2025 07:07

JDM625 · 10/05/2025 21:46

Any food/drink can be so individual because we all have different tastes. Personally, I hate any form of bubbly wines. So prosecco and even the most expensive champagnes I've had- I can't stand.

Can you find out more about what the recipient drinks/likes?

Unfortunately I won’t be able to. It needs to be something that most people would like.

OP posts:

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

General food
Original poster
DonnaSueWeloveyou · 11/05/2025 07:08

noblegiraffe · 10/05/2025 21:48

I bloody love a bottle of prosecco. I don't drink wine so the people suggesting that as a better gift would be totally wrong for me. Wine would be a shit gift.

I’m not sure if they’d prefer red or white, wine-wise.

OP posts:
Original poster
DonnaSueWeloveyou · 11/05/2025 07:10

thinkfast · 10/05/2025 21:49

Prosecco is a bit of a sad gift. If you’re looking for a generic gift in that price range, I’d go for either a bottle of cremant, a bottle of wine, a box of chocolates, a nice tin of posh biscuits, or flowers.

Posh biscuits might be a good idea too.

Any in particular you had in mind?

OP posts:
Original poster
DonnaSueWeloveyou · 11/05/2025 07:11

TeaandHobnobs · 10/05/2025 21:50

I agree with @Delatron that Cremant is a better alternative - around £10-£15 per bottle

It’s not as easily recognisable as Prosecco and champagne though.

OP posts:
Seymourscat · 11/05/2025 07:11

It’s a good gift for me!

Original poster
DonnaSueWeloveyou · 11/05/2025 07:12

DilkushaKitchen · 10/05/2025 21:54

I think cremant is more current and cava is always lovely - but as other have said if you can stretch to proper champagne then it makes a lovely present.

It does - it would just be a little too much in this situation.

OP posts:
Original poster
DonnaSueWeloveyou · 11/05/2025 07:13

WingBingo · 10/05/2025 21:55

84% of voters seem to think it’s ok.

I enjoy it but I will be on the look out for Cremant.

Now thinking a need to try some cremant!

OP posts:
Original poster
DonnaSueWeloveyou · 11/05/2025 07:15

SleepingisanArt · 10/05/2025 21:59

There's prosecco and there's prosecco - just like cremant, cava and champagne (oh and English sparkling wine).

A proper prosecco is made in the same way as champagne, is not at all sweet (although you can get demi-sec and sec just like in champagne), has a proper cork stopper, and is bottled at the vineyard.

Most cheap supermarket prosecco is mass produced in large tanks and the bubbles are made using co2 like in a soda stream! Can be bottled anywhere (including the UK) and often has a screw top. They are often sweet.

I love a good (preferably organic) prosecco (can't afford to drink my favourite champagne every time I fancy bubbles!)

I’m veering towards the mass produced, supermarket Proseccos.

OP posts:
Bjorkdidit · 11/05/2025 07:15

DonnaSueWeloveyou · 11/05/2025 07:11

It’s not as easily recognisable as Prosecco and champagne though.

Show quote history

Why not? It comes in the same style of bottle. It's widely known as being similar to Champagne, but without the high price that is for the name and perceived exclusivity alone.

I drink Cava and Cremant, rarely Champagne or Prosecco.

modgepodge · 11/05/2025 07:15

Prosecco is absolutely fine. Suggestions of champagne instead 🙄 presumably if the OP is asking it’s because they don’t know the person well enough to get them a personalised gift in which case spending £25 on a bottle of champagne is ridiculous. As a generic gift for someone you don’t know well but want to give a token gift to it’s perfect. So is a box of chocolates.

I’ve been given many many bottles of wine and boxes of chocolates in my life that weren’t to my taste (ex teacher!) and I’ve never had a sense of dread that I’d have to offload it, or severe disappointment. I’ve just regifted them, given them to my husband or my dad, donated them to a tombola oe whatever. It’s really no big deal.

Original poster
DonnaSueWeloveyou · 11/05/2025 07:17

TheCountofMountingCrispBags · 10/05/2025 23:25

It's not even an acceptable drink!

Oh no! Why not?

OP posts:
Original poster
DonnaSueWeloveyou · 11/05/2025 07:19

I don’t think it would be obvious I hadn’t overspent though.

OP posts:
Original poster
DonnaSueWeloveyou · 11/05/2025 07:20

marmaladeandpeanutbutter · 10/05/2025 22:36

Far prefer wine .

No idea what one they like, although I know they do drink.

OP posts:
Original poster
DonnaSueWeloveyou · 11/05/2025 07:21

HeddaGarbled · 10/05/2025 23:27

This is where you need to know the recipient. I have one SIL who would be delighted and one who would politely suppress a shudder.

I can’t find out more before giving the gift. If it’s something most people would like, I’ll go for that and hope for the best!

OP posts:
Westfacing · 11/05/2025 07:21

A bottle of olive oil

VerbenaGirl · 11/05/2025 07:22

Cremant and Cava are much nicer fizzes for gifting.

Original poster
DonnaSueWeloveyou · 11/05/2025 07:23

itsnotalwaysthateasy · 10/05/2025 23:47

I don't like prosecco, but would appreciate the thought behind it.

Thanks. It really is more about the thought.

OP posts:
Original poster
DonnaSueWeloveyou · 11/05/2025 07:24

cheeseismydownfall · 10/05/2025 23:58

Hmmm I wouldn't really consider a bottle of prosecco to be a gift gift iyswim? More a thank you for hosting dinner type thing. Unless it was an expensive bottle, in which case I'd only give it as a gift I knew they specifically enjoy prosecco.

I think a really good olive oil or expensive balsamic make good gifts.

It’s not for a family birthday or anything like that.

OP posts:
stayathomer · 11/05/2025 07:25

I’d be thrilled with Prosecco as a gift, yes! Funny how different everyone is, saying that I wouldn’t give it to eg the neighbours who are older, or to a real ‘foodie’ who I’d guess to be more about a certain type of wine for example!

Tulipsunflower · 11/05/2025 07:25

TheHerboriste · 10/05/2025 21:32

I prefer real champagne; prosecco is sort of sickly.

Same here. If budget doesn’t allow, cava or cremant.

TooGoodToGoto · 11/05/2025 07:25

Cynic17 · 10/05/2025 20:56

So you give people something they probably don't want, and then expect them to embarrass themselves by passing it on to someone else who doesn't want it? That's not a gift, in any way.

Show quote history

Why would they probably not want it?

Original poster
DonnaSueWeloveyou · 11/05/2025 07:27

JoyousEagle · 11/05/2025 07:04

It’s fine. Not everyone will like it, but that’s true of any wine (or any gift of any sort).

I don’t drink anymore, but when I did, if someone gave me a bottle of wine that I didn’t personally like, I wouldn’t feel like that made it an unacceptable gift on their part.

Very true!

OP posts:
Lds1 · 11/05/2025 07:27

I have so many old bottles of prosecco that I've been given and not drank, they at least keep the wine rack looking full.

If it's a new job I'd much rather have a nice new notebook or planner