ADVENT calendars have become more popular than ever in recent years.
These days you can find a plethora of different content calendars to add some sparkle to the run-up to Christmas.
Boozy calendars don't only boost your festive spirit with a drink a day in December, but the best wine Advent calendars introduce to you new styles, growers and flavours.
Whether you’re a red, white, rosé or fizz fan, you’ll find a great selection of known and yet-to-be-discovered names to delight your palate.
More expensive calendars might even contain extras, such as tasting notes or information on the winemakers, making them a great early present for the wine-lover in your life.
Some have big-name wines that you’ll already be used to, while others feature bottles from smaller producers and are a good way to try different wines without risk.
Remember that wine Advent calendars are significantly larger than the usual choccy-stuffed version, so you will need somewhere to store the calendar throughout December while you count down the days to the 25th.
Read on for my reviews of the best wine Advent calendars for Christmas 2024.
Pros: Good wine inside, includes a full-sized bottle on a bonus day
Cons: Daily bottles are smaller than some calendars
Rating: 5/5
Virgin Wines has all bases covered this Christmas: it stocks calendars full of only or , plus a and Advent calendar to drink your way through December.
I reckon the is the best choice if you’d prefer a bit of everything and want at least some surprise each day.
It comes in a fairly large and heavy box, so be prepared to find space to store it through December, but the doors are a lot easier to open than on some other calendars.
Inside is one of the best selections of wine available in any calendar this Christmas, with a huge variety of grapes from a wide range of countries.
Inside is one of the best selections of wine available in any calendar this Christmas
These include a crisp, perfumed white from Côtes de Gascogne in France, a rich fruity red from South Africa’s Swartland, a full-bodied Malbec from Argentina and a dry sunny rosé from Spain.
There’s a small bottle of prosecco from the Veneto region of Italy too.
The bottles are fairly small at just 187ml, but they’re still enough for a decent glass to sip with a Christmas movie each evening.
Best of all, behind door 25 there’s a full-size 75cl bottle of The Black Pig The Prize Shiraz 2022. This spicy, dramatic red will go down a treat on Christmas day with an after-dinner cheese board.
I wouldn’t want December to end if I had this calendar to look forward to every day.
Number of days: 25; Size of bottles: 187ml; Wine type: Red, white, rosé and sparkling
Naked Wines A Christmas Adventure in 24 Wines
Pros: Fantastic variety of wine, a chance to discover new winemakers, good tasting notes, doesn’t take up much room
Cons: Small servings
Rating: 4.5/5
Naked Wines sells bottles from the world’s best independent winemakers and this calendar gathers some of their very best in one place.
It’s a little different from a standard Advent calendar, as it comes in a surprisingly compact lidded box and there are no doors to open.
Instead, the wines are in slim cardboard boxes labelled with which day to open them.
However, real wine connoisseurs will be far more interested in the vino inside a calendar than the thrill of opening a door each day.
Each box is also printed with useful tasting notes and pairing suggestions for the wine, plus a QR code to scan and find out more about the winemaker.
To drink, simply break off the corner of each box, snip the foil pouch inside and pour.
This takes a bit of getting used to and I definitely made a bit of a mess the first couple of times I did it.
Though serving sizes are fairly small at 100ml, the wine inside is exceptional quality and I liked the fact that this calendar introduced me to new winemakers I wouldn’t otherwise know.
Stand-out wines included Kimbao Pinot Noir 2022 and Olakala Malagouzia Assyrtiko, but there’s also — spoiler alert! — a tawny port and even a Sauternes dessert wine for all-out December decadence.
Number of days: 24; Size of bottles: 100ml; Wine type: Red, white and rosé
Slurp 24 Days of Fizz Advent Calendar
Pros: Surprisingly small box, all sparkling wine, sophisticated design
Cons: Some may prefer a greater wine variety
Rating: 4/5
Nothing says Christmas quite like sipping a daily glass of bubbles.
And this wine calendar keeps the celebrations going throughout December, with 24 mixed bottles of both pink and white prosecco, as well as cava.
All are major, reliable brands you’ll recognise from the supermarket shelf including i Heart, Mionetto and Freixenet, in its distinctive dimpled bottle.
These all have screw tops so you won’t need to pop any corks.
They’re all packaged in an attractive deep burgundy box that ties with a black ribbon and will keep looking stylish throughout December.
Each door is actually a box that slides out, though be sure to break the tab on each first to create a finger hole – I foolishly didn’t spot these at first and the boxes were almost impossible to pull out.
Some people may prefer to receive a greater variety of wine, but I reckon this calendar would add some welcome sparkle to the Christmas countdown for any fizz fan.
Number of days: 24; Size of bottles: 200ml; Wine type: Sparkling – prosecco and cava
Brixton Wine Club Advent Calendar
Pros: Much smaller than some wine Advent calendars for easy storage, good variety of wine, plenty of vegan and organic wine
Cons: Not everyone likes canned wine
Rating: 4/5
Wine Advent calendars can be a bit of a pain to store during December, especially when the house is already full of decorations and Christmas shopping.
This compact calendar from Brixton Wine Club is a good alternative if space is tight.
The box is much smaller than most calendars and fairly plain, so you won’t even feel bad if you have to tuck it away in a cupboard.
Inside, there are cans of wine rather than bottles, which is a clever move that sets this calendar apart.
These are much easier to recycle at home than some of the glass bottles in other calendars, which require a trip to the bottle bank.
Plus, some of the cans are 250ml, which is considerably bigger than the bottles usually found in these calendars — and more wine is always a good thing.
There are plenty of new and interesting wines included from independent producers, such as low-intervention Hands Off Bordeaux Red, the organic, vegan Negroamaro from The Copper Crew and even two cans of bubbles, from Italy and New Zealand.
I particularly liked the fact that there were some less obvious grape varieties to discover (Veltliner, Fiano, Refosco) and even a can of orange wine from Spain.
I did find some of the canned red wines felt a touch fizzy on the tongue, which was a shame, but most generally tasted just as good from a can.
I love the fact this calendar is a little different from the rest, making it a great seasonal space-saver that still feels like a treat.
Number of days: 24; Size of bottles: Cans ranging from 187ml – 250ml; Wine type: Red, white, rosé and sparkling.
GCF Wine and Sparkling Advent Calendar
Pros: Much cheaper than other wine Advent calendars, some larger bottles included
Cons: Some wines repeated, not very adventurous wines
Rating: 3.5/5
Wine Advent calendars don’t always come cheap, especially if they feature exclusive bottles from high-end winemakers.
This one won’t bowl over real wine buffs but for everyone else, it’s a great buy, working out at a reasonable £2.87 per day.
More than half of the bottles are a generous 250ml as well, so there’s a decent-sized drink for every day before Christmas.
The wines inside are all fairly standard supermarket names, so expect to see vinos from the likes of JP Chenet and Badger’s Creek.
They’re all typical crowd pleasers such as pinot grigio and chardonnay from countries including Australia, Chile and Italy.
My favourite was a decent El Emperador Cabernet Carmenere and a delightfully pale pink Saint-Vincent rosé.
There are also four mini bottles of fizz to toast the festive season.
Though the box is fairly hefty, I appreciated the fact that it had a handle on the top so it was easy to move around if needed.
However, it’s worth avoiding the back of the box if you want a surprise, as all the wines are listed on there.
If you’ve set your heart on a wine Advent calendar this December, you won’t find better value.
Number of days: 24; Size of bottles: 187ml – 250ml; Wine type: Red, white, rosé and sparkling
Tipsy Tree Alcohol Advent Calendar - Wine
Pros: Can be reused next year, minimalist design, popular wines
Cons: No doors to open, quite expensive, serious wine drinkers may not love all the wine
Rating: 3.5/5
If you live for opening a door each day in December, this calendar is not for you.
But if you’re really in it for the daily vino and would love to reuse the calendar each year, this is a great choice.
This freestanding wooden tree looks a little like a festive wine rack – the wine comes in a separate box so needs slotting into the numbered holes first.
It’s worth noting that the bottles need to be pulled out from the back rather than the front where the numbers are, so you’ll need access to both sides throughout December.
The wine inside won’t thrill a true connoisseur.
The bottles included are all safe-bet wines and big-name grapes: think merlot, pinot grigio, malbec and chardonnay from mega-producers like McGuigan, Waters Edge and Altaria.
I liked the fact that red, white and rosé were all included, though I’d have preferred a paler, less sweet rosé instead of the three bottles of overly-fruity white zinfandel.
However, you can choose any wine you like when you reuse the calendar next year and it can be dismantled and stored flat until then.
Number of days: 24; Size of bottles: 187ml; Wine type: Red, white and rosé
How we tested these wine Advent calendars
I didn’t wait until December 1st to start opening doors.
Instead, I peeked behind every single door of these Advent calendars and tasted the wines inside to see which one was worth splashing out on this Christmas.
I judged how festive the outer packaging was and how much room it would take up in my house during December.
I also considered the range of wine inside, if it would feel like a treat receiving each bottle, and if there were any extras to make it appeal to wine fans.
I also rated the wines, sniffing and sipping each one and considering their aromas, complexity and flavours to decide if receiving them would feel like Christmas had come early every day.
The verdict: Which is the best wine Advent calendar for 2024?
Any of these wine Advent calendars will bring an extra dose of festive cheer this December so you won’t go wrong whichever one you choose.
The Virgin Wines Mixed Wine Advent Calendar is my overall favourite because it includes such a great selection of wine plus a full-sized bottle for an extra present on the big day.
The Virgin Wines Mixed Wine Advent Calendar is my overall favourite because it includes such a great selection of wine plus a full-sized bottle for an extra present on the big day.
However, if you’re a sucker for sparkling, it’s hard to beat the Freixenet 24 Days of Fizz Advent Calendar for a whole month of bubbles.
Best wine Advent calendars 2024: the best of the rest
John Lewis Wine Advent Calendar
John Lewis has become a go-to for Christmas Advent calendars, and its wine version for 2024 is ideal for those seeking a curated, elegant selection of wines.
Priced at £100, it includes 24 mini bottles spanning popular varieties such as Merlot, Sauvignon Blanc and Malbec.
Unlike some other calendars that focus on a single wine style, John Lewis offers a well-rounded mix, appealing to both red and white wine enthusiasts.
This calendar is also beautifully presented in a festive design, making it a great option for gifting (if you’re willing to part with it).
Whilst it’s priced slightly higher than other wine Advent calendars, the luxurious packaging and trusted John Lewis brand make it a strong contender in the premium Advent calendar market.
Number of days: 24; Size of bottles: 20cl; Wine type: Red, rosé and white
Prosecco Advent Calendar by Hello Lovely
For lovers of sparkling wine, the is a must-have this Christmas season.
Priced at £154.99, this premium calendar delivers 24 mini bottles of prosecco, allowing you to indulge in a new bubbly treat each day leading up to Christmas.
This calendar is ideal for those who want to explore different types of prosecco, with a variety of bottles included, each offering a different tasting experience.
You’ll find a mix of brut and extra dry styles, providing a spectrum of flavours from crisp and refreshing to slightly sweeter options.
Whether you’re popping a bottle after a long day or sharing it with friends, this Advent calendar elevates the everyday indulgence of Prosecco into a festive celebration.
Number of days: 24; Size of bottles: 20cl; Wine type:
Sunday Times Fine Wine Advent Calendar
If you’re looking for something extra special, the is a luxurious option that wine connoisseurs will appreciate.
Featuring 23 miniature bottles of red and white wines from renowned vineyards, this calendar offers an elevated drinking experience throughout December.
What sets this calendar apart is the inclusion of a full-size bottle of prosecco, perfect for toasting on Christmas Eve.
The presentation is also top-notch, making it an ideal gift for the wine lover in your life.
With wines carefully chosen by expert tasters, this calendar ensures that every day leading up to Christmas feels like a special occasion.
Number of days: 24; Size of bottles: 23 x miniature, 1 x full-size; Wine type: Red, white and Prosecco
Prosecco O'Clock Advent Calendar
For fans of fizz, the is the ultimate treat.
Featuring 24 mini bottles of prosecco, this calendar brings some sparkle to the festive season.
Each bottle is perfectly sized for one glass, making it an ideal choice for enjoying a nightly toast as you countdown to Christmas.
At just under £125, it’s slightly more expensive than other wine Advent calendars, but the joy of sipping on different styles of prosecco makes it a worthwhile splurge.
Additionally, this calendar is refillable, meaning you can reuse it year after year, which adds to its long-term value.
It’s a delightful choice for those who prefer their festive drinks with bubbles, and it makes for a unique gift for any prosecco lover in your life.
Number of days: 24; Size of bottles: 20cl; Wine type: Prosecco
Wine Down to Christmas Advent Calendar
The is a beautifully curated collection of wines that brings a new surprise every evening in December.
This calendar includes 24 miniature bottles and is perfect for those who love variety, as it offers a delightful mix of red, white, rosé and sparkling wines.
Each bottle contains enough wine to fill a glass, making it ideal for daily indulgence without overcommitting.
Whether you're in the mood for a crisp white after a long day or a bubbly treat for the weekend, this calendar has something to satisfy every palate.
At £134.95, it's on the premium side, but the diversity of wines and the luxury packaging make it worth the splurge.
Number of days: 24; Size of bottles: 187ml; Wine type: Red, white, rosé and sparkling
What to look for in a wine Advent calendar
First, decide which wine you — or the lucky recipient — prefers.
Some calendars have a mix of red and white, others offer just one colour and some include only sparkling wines to bring an extra sparkle to festivities.
If you’re not a wine buff but just fancy the thrill of revealing a daily tipple, there’s no need to splash out on one of the most expensive calendars.
More reasonably priced versions tend to feature big-name wines that you’ll already know from supermarket shelves and will be stuffed with reliable crowd-pleasers that won’t disappoint.
However, if you’re a real wine aficionado, it’s worth finding an Advent calendar curated by a dedicated wine retailer or wine club.
These might include bottles from lesser-known producers, more interesting wines or a greater variety and are a good way to sample wines before buying full bottles.
Remember, wine Advent calendars generally come in fairly large boxes so it’s worth picking one that looks good, as it will be on display with your decorations throughout December.
If you find one you like the look of, it’s also worth buying early as these calendars tend to sell out as the festive season approaches.
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