Although the corporate landscape, from bustling Wall Street offices to executive suites across industries, has experienced an extraordinary surge in wellness culture—marked by meditation apps, fitness stipends, and health-oriented retreats—alcohol continues to retain its peculiar yet persistent status as the quintessential celebratory and gift-giving staple. This enduring preference exists even though none of the professionals surveyed expressed a personal desire to receive or consume liquor as part of their holiday festivities. Yet, Eileen Rizzo, the chief executive officer of Zachys Wine and Liquor, observed that fine wines and spirits remain among the most favored tokens of appreciation exchanged in professional circles, particularly in the financial sector.
Rizzo elaborated that champagne still holds a luminous position as the ‘hero’ of the holiday season—a beverage that effortlessly combines sophistication, festivity, and universal appeal. Nonetheless, she has noticed an emerging shift in consumer behavior: a growing number of customers are gravitating toward what she characterizes as ‘statement wines.’ These are not ordinary bottles, but rather exclusive, limited-production vintages or labels that frequently appear atop renowned ‘best of the year’ wine lists. In her experience, those involved in fields such as banking and investment management constitute a particularly dynamic and enthusiastic portion of the clientele, perhaps drawn to the prestige and discernment that accompany such discerning selections.
According to Rizzo, certain categories consistently dominate requests: champagne, Italian varietals, and Bordeaux classics. Each of these wine types represents a convergence of elegance, tradition, and social versatility, allowing gift-givers to find options suitable for a wide range of price points without compromising on quality or cultural resonance. Their appeal lies in their timelessness—qualities that convey both respect for the recipient and an awareness of refined taste.
Illustrating this trend, Wine Enthusiast magazine recently crowned the $179 Mastroberardino 2018 Stilèma Riserva Aglianico as its top wine for 2025, while awarding the second-place honor to the $370 Gusbourne 2016 51°N Traditional Method Sparkling Blend. For those seeking a more accessible yet distinguished choice, a bottle of Veuve Clicquot Brut champagne—long associated with celebratory events—retails for roughly $57.95 on Zachys’ online storefront. These selections, varying in price but united by reputation, demonstrate the way fine wine manages to balance indulgence with discernment.
The enduring popularity of alcohol as a professional gift is further underscored by survey data showing that seventeen respondents planned to present colleagues with some form of alcoholic beverage this season. In corporate gift exchanges, such as the beloved ‘white elephant’ swaps that characterize many office celebrations, a well-chosen bottle of wine often provokes instant excitement. As Balrup—a participant in these workplace traditions—succinctly remarked, a refined bottle consistently emerges as one of the most coveted prizes, whether destined to be enjoyed during the festivities or thoughtfully regifted at another event. In short, even amid a modern corporate ethos increasingly dominated by mindfulness and well-being, the allure of a finely crafted wine or effervescent champagne endures as a timeless and socially elegant gesture.
Sourse: https://www.businessinsider.com/wall-street-holiday-gifts-bags-alcohol-rolex-watch-2025-12
