Counting down to Christmas with an advent calendar is no longer just for children or the big kids among us, thanks to a growing number of drinks advent calendars, including those filled with gin, beer or wine.
The best wine advent calendars swap chocolate for miniature bottles of whites, reds, rosé and sparkling vino. And there really is something for everyone. Whether you’re looking to treat yourself, buy an early Christmas gift or find a fun way to sample new wines without committing to a full bottle, there’s a wine advent calendar to suit every taste and budget.
To help navigate the options, I’ve had the hard job (someone’s got to do it) of testing wine advent calendars to find the most exciting releases for 2025, from luxury calendars to budget-friendly picks that still bring plenty of cheer. Cheers to that.
How I tested
I blind tasted each wine on its own to see how versatile it was. I also considered the quality, from the ease of opening each day’s compartment to the overall impression the calendar left. Each calendar was tested over several days to get a sense of variety, quality and value, paying attention to:
- Wine quality: Did the bottles deliver on flavour, balance and drinking pleasure?
- Variety: Were we offered a good mix of reds, whites, rosés and sparkling wines in the mixed boxes?
- Presentation: How appealing and festive was the packaging?
- Value for money: Did the calendar justify its price point?
- Festive fun factor: Was there genuine excitement in opening a new window each day?
Why you can trust IndyBest reviews
Jonathan Hatchman is a writer who specialises in alcoholic tipples – he’s taste-tested everything from the best Japanese whisky to the best British lager. But he’s also written countless wine reviews and is partial to a glass of vino, making him the perfect candidate for bringing you a review of the best wine advent calendars.
The best wine advent calendars for 2025 are:
- Best overall – Virgin Wines mixed wine advent calendar 2025: £99.99, Virginwines.co.uk
- Best budget option – Spicers of Hythe Wine Down to Christmas advent calendar: £63.96, Spicersofhythe.com
- Best for sparkling wine lovers – John Lewis wine & fizz advent calendar: £120, Johnlewis.com
- Best fine wine advent calendar – The Little Fine Wine Company festive advent case: £140, Thelittlefinewinecompany.co.uk
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Virgin Wines mixed wine advent calendar 2025
Best: Wine advent calendar overall
Number of days: 25
Size of bottles included: 24 x 18.7cl, 1 x 75cl
Wine advent calendar highlights: Steve Grimley ‘legacy’ shiraz
Why we love it
- Great mix of styles
- Anniversary edition bottle
- Fun design
Take note
- Some wines may feel too familiar or standard for real wine lovers
Virgin Wine’s wine advent calendar is a standout option for 2025. Behind the 24 windows sits a 187ml miniature bottle of wine, spanning an accessible mix of reds, whites, rosés and a prosecco. On Christmas Day, there’s a surprise in store: a full-size bottle of Steve Grimley ‘legacy’ shiraz anniversary.
Crafted to celebrate 25 years of Virgin Wines and two decades of working with Steve Grimley, it’s a remarkably full-bodied and complex red perfect for pairing with food. Other highlights include Chilean Double Check merlot, Portuguese Mar Mistura alvarinho and a French Seraph Reserve pinot noir.
A complete and utter crowd-pleaser, you won’t be left disappointed in December with this.
Buy now £99.99, Virginwines.co.uk
Spicers of Hythe wine down to Christmas advent calendar
Best: Budget wine advent calendar
Number of days: 24
Size of bottles included: 18.7cl
Wine advent calendar highlights: Altaria sauvignon blanc, Orario pinot grigio
Why we love it
- Competitively priced
- Generous selection, including a mix of bottles and cans
- Strong gift appeal
Take note
- Less premium feel
- Contents may vary by stock availability
Spicers of Hythe has created a cheerful and varied wine advent calendar for 2025, with 24 drinks including mini bottles and two cans.
The selection covers a good range of wines to suit every palate, including zesty whites, rich, smooth or full-bodied reds, sweeter whites and rosés, and two wines sustainably packaged in cans.
Highlights include an easy-drinking Altaria Chilean sauvignon blanc with bold fruitiness, or Orario pinot grigio, which is fragrant with citrus, crisp acidity and subtle floral savours – perfect for pairing with food.
While the breadth is impressive, some inclusions feel more everyday than special, though Spicers of Hythe’s wine advent calendar delivers plenty of homely charm and is very competitively priced, ideal for those looking for variety at an approachable level.
Buy now £63.96, Spicersofhythe.com
John Lewis wine and fizz advent calendar
Best: Wine advent calendar for sparkling lovers
Number of days: 24
Size of bottles included: 12 x 18.7cl, 12 x 20cl
Wine advent calendar highlights: Nice pale rosé
Why we love it
- Wide sparkling selection
- Attractive packaging
Take note
- Towards the more expensive end of the scale
- Although fizz-heavy, 12 different wines would be preferable over six doubles
John Lewis’s wine and fizz Advent Calendar offers a great selection for fizz lovers, with 12 mini bottles of sparkling wine featured – you can expect various proseccos, rosé and moscato sparkling wines.
But it’s not all bubbles as the calendar includes a selection of classic still vino, such as shiraz, chardonnay, malbec, merlot, pinot grigio, sauvignon blanc, white zinfandel and a can of rosé that’s crisp, dry and rife with red berry notes.
The presentation is great, but the still wines seem a little less adventurous than some of the other options on the market and of the 12 sparkling wines, six are double-ups, so the advent calendar’s selection isn’t quite as varied as others. That said, it’s still a great option for sparkling wine lovers.
Buy now £120.00, Johnlewis.com
The Little Fine Wine Company festive advent case
Best: Fine wine advent calendar
Number of days: 12
Size of bottles included: 37.5cl
Wine advent calendar highlights: CVNE imperial rioja reserva 2019
Why we love it
- Half-bottle format
- Excellent quality wines
- Hand-wrapped personal touch
For something a little more indulgent, The Little Fine Wine Company’s 12-day case is an elegant twist on the wine advent calendar format. Each half-bottle (37.5cl) is wrapped in recyclable festive tissue, giving you the equivalent of six full bottles across the run-up to Christmas.
The exact bottles included are intended to be kept secret, but you can expect a champagne, additional sparkling wines, classic reds, whites, plus a sweet and a fortified wine. The CVNE imperial rioja reserva 2019, for instance, is just one of the highlights, loaded with red fruit, liquorice, well-integrated tannins and a gorgeous underlying vanilla character.
The quality of this collection is a true cut above mass-market calendars. The Little Fine Wine Company festive advent case is ideal for those looking for something more substantial than a miniature or a chance to taste different, truly exciting wines without committing to a full bottle.
Buy now £140.00, Thelittlefinewinecompany.co.uk
Laithwaites mixed wine advent calendar 2025
Best: For range of wine
Number of days: 24
Size of bottles included: 23 x 18.7cl, 1 x 75cl
Wine advent calendar highlights: Chateau Le Coin sauvignon gris, Duca di Cardino chianti
Why we love it
- Wide range of wine styles
- Playful design
- Bonus full bottle and stopper
Take note
- Some fillers among the 23 minis
Laithwaites has done it again with its wine advent calendar for 2025, which includes 23 miniatures plus a full-sized bottle of prosecco to pop open on Christmas Eve.
With packaging that feels traditional and warmly nostalgic, the calendar features an eclectic selection of wines, including a Laithwaites’ own sauvignon blanc, Chateau Le Coin sauvignon gris with perfect creamy roundness, a ripe and silky Duca di Cardino chianti, zesty Sonnenstrahl gruner veltliner with especially smooth acidity and much more.
In the roof of the advent calendar, you’ll find a free Laithwaites-branded sparkling bottle stopper gift, which is another elegant touch.
Buy now £89.99, Laithwaites.co.uk
What is the best wine advent calendar?
The best wine advent calendar for 2025 is Virgin Wines mixed advent calendar, which impressed me with its mix of high-quality wines, great presentation, a full bottle for Christmas Day and general excellent value. It’s a treat that feels festive from start to finish. For those on a tighter budget, the Spicers of Hythe wine advent calendar offers a fun and affordable way to enjoy 24 mini bottles. If you’re looking to splurge, Little Fine Wine Company’s festive advent case delivers luxury at every sip, making it a perfect gift for wine lovers who want to celebrate the season in style.
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