Whether you’re shopping for a seasoned collector, a curious sipper or a mom who simply appreciates life’s finer flavors, here are a few food and beverage gifts sure to delight. From terroir-driven wines and celebratory bubbles to elevate spirits, wellness-forward indulgences and clever kitchen innovations, these picks are designed to delight, surprise and spark a little joy with every sip or taste.
The Blanc 2022 from Chateau Malherbe (https://www.wine.com)
Provence has long captured the imagination of wine lovers through its iconic rosés. But those in the know have quietly been tracking a more under-the-radar story: the region’s remarkable potential for serious, terroir-driven white wines. Impress Mom with a bottle of Chateau Malherbe’s Blanc 2022—one of the wine house’s most compelling expressions. Farmed biodynamically by fourth- and fifth-generation siblings Sébastien and Adélie Ferrari on sun-drenched hillsides overlooking the Mediterranean, this is an estate where the land is tended with as much intention as the wine is crafted. The Blanc is an elegant, nuanced reflection of its coastal Provençal origins, balancing richness and salinity with quiet confidence and a complexity that reveals itself gradually rather than announcing itself loudly. It is the kind of wine that makes you pause mid-sip and reach for the bottle to read the label again. At $55, it is also one of the most rewarding discoveries at its price point—a beautiful, conversation-starting gift for the adventurous wine lover. For the host, the traveler or the curious sipper on your list this Mother’s Day, this is Provence seen from a different and thoroughly enchanting angle.
2023 Napa Valley Chardonnay from Chateau Montelena (https://montelena.com)
Few wineries in California carry the kind of history that commands a room—and a cellar. Chateau Montelena is one of them, and its 2023 Napa Valley Chardonnay deserves a spot at the table this Mother’s Day. This bottle captures one of the most balanced growing seasons Napa has seen in a decade, yielding a wine of remarkable tension and precision. Pear, lime leaf and delicate orange blossom rise on the nose before giving way to a palate defined by bright, mouthwatering acidity and a long, flinty mineral finish. This is not a Chardonnay that leans on butter and oak for complexity—it earns distinction through elegance and restraint. For the wine lover who appreciates craft over flash, or simply a well-told story in every sip, this is a gift that delivers on every level. At $75, it overperforms its price point handsomely. As the storied, family-owned Napa estate approaches the 50th anniversary of its seismic 1976 Judgment of Paris victory—where its California Chardonnay famously bested top white Burgundies—the 2023 Chardonnay arrives as both a tribute and a triumph.
The ‘NV Duo Gift Box’ from SEPPI Sparkling Wines (https://www.drinkseppi.com)
Celebrate your family’s matriarchal line this Mother’s Day with pours from the NV Duo Gift Box, featuring two bottles produced by the boutique sparkling wine house, SEPPI. Presented in a beautifully packaged gift box, this bubbly duo showcases two of the brand’s standouts: the Blanc de Blancs and Brut Rosé. The former is bright and zesty, with notes of brioche, apple and citrus, finishing with fine, persistent bubbles. The Brut Rosé offers a pale salmon hue with layers of strawberry, cranberry and a hint of cream, rounded out by a dry, refreshing finish that keeps it balanced and versatile. Together, the two wines create a thoughtful gift, especially for wine-loving moms. Based in Sonoma, California, the woman-owned wine house was founded by Kelsey Phelps, granddaughter of Napa Valley pioneer Joseph Phelps, whose childhood nickname “Seppi” inspired the brand name. Phelps carries the winemaking legacy forward with a fresh, female-led perspective, building close relationships with small, family growers across California and sourcing fruit from their vineyards. The result is small-lot sparkling wines crafted in the traditional Champagne method that are fresh, vibrant and elegant, making them especially well suited for spring entertaining and Mother’s Day gifting. This year’s holiday is especially meaningful for Phelps, who recently became a new mom herself.
Vera Wang Sparkling Wines by Araldica and Château Roubine Wineries (http://kosherwine.com) (https://kosherwineworld.com)
The Vera Wang name is synonymous with fashion, home and fragrance. Now, the brand is making a stylish entrance into wine. In partnership with Araldica, producer of the best-selling Moscato in America, Vera Wang has introduced a collection of sparkling and rosé wines designed for effortless entertaining. The Vera Wang Party Prosecco Brut is crafted from 100 percent Glera grapes grown in northern Italy. After careful hand harvesting and a two-stage fermentation process, the wine develops a light straw-yellow color with aromas of apple and stone fruit. On the palate, it offers bright citrus, fresh acidity and a soft, fruity finish that pairs easily with charcuterie, seafood or salty snacks. It also doubles as a perfect base for a classic Bellini. The Vera Wang Party Prosecco Rosé follows a similar method, blending 90 percent Glera with 10 percent Pinot Noir. It pours a delicate pale pink with subtle floral notes and hints of red berries. Expect a lively palate with strawberry and raspberry flavors that complement barbecue, seafood, lightly spiced dishes or chocolate desserts. Expanding beyond Italy, the Vera Wang IGP Méditerranée Rosé, created with Château Roubine, delivers a crisp, dry profile with aromas of wild strawberry, citrus zest and white peach. It is balanced, refreshing and ideal for warm-weather sipping. Rounding out the collection, the Vera Wang Côtes-de-Provence Rosé offers a light-bodied, elegant expression with a pale salmon hue, red berry and peach notes, and a subtle mineral finish. Designed for relaxed gatherings, it brings a polished, fashion-forward touch to any occasion.
Blanco Tahona and XA Luxury Tequila by Volcan de mi Tierra (https://woodencork.com)
Toast to moms everywhere this Mother’s Day with a taste of luxury tequila from Volcan de mi Tierra. Each expression is handcrafted and additive-free, produced using volcanic water and agave cultivated from the brand’s own fields. Blanco Tahona is made with 100 percent lowland Blue Weber agave and extracted using a traditional tahona stone. Its flavor profile features herbal and spicy notes alongside cooked agave, vanilla, cranberry, dulce de leche and almond. Drinkers can expect a silky tequila with a 40 percent ABV — perfect for sipping neat or mixing into cocktails. For tequila enthusiasts who prefer a more decadent palate, the XA is a blend of three aged expressions: Reposado, Añejo and Extra Añejo. The golden amber liquid offers tasting notes of cooked agave, dried fruits, caramel, vanilla and dark chocolate. This velvety tequila also has a 40 percent ABV and is ideal for sipping solo over a large ice cube or incorporating into cocktails. Volcan de mi Tierra was born from a joint venture between Mexico’s esteemed Gallardo family and Louis Vuitton Moët Hennessy. For nearly 300 years, the Gallardo family has lived at the foot of the Tequila Volcano. Volcan is a single-NOM distiller, owning and operating its own distillery where only Volcan is made — one distillery, one brand.
The Anova Precision Cooker 3.0 (https://anovaculinary.com)
Whether or not she’s a whiz in the kitchen, the Anova Culinary Precision Cooker 3.0 is sure to make any mother happy this May. Restaurant-quality sous vide cooking is made easy with Anova’s upgraded machine, which features more power, improved connectivity and an updated touchscreen display designed to help deliver perfect results every time. Users can monitor and adjust both time and temperature manually or through the Anova Culinary app. Designed to work with nearly any pot thanks to its adjustable sliding clamp, the cooker heats and circulates water to ensure even cooking throughout. It’s also simple to use: attach it to a pot, add water, place food in a sealed bag or glass jar, then press start. The new two-line touchscreen allows users to quickly view cooking time and temperature, notifies owners when food is finished and then keeps it warm until ready to serve—without overcooking. Bluetooth and upgraded dual-band Wi-Fi connectivity let home chefs control cooking from wherever they are. With a sleek, compact design that fits easily in a standard kitchen drawer, the Precision Cooker 3.0 delivers convenience without sacrificing performance.
Ultra MGO 800+ Mānuka Honey by Mānuka Health (https://us.manukahealth.com)
Give Mom the best this May with a bottle of New Zealand’s best-kept beauty secret, Ultra MGO 800+ by Mānuka Health. Celebrated for its wide-ranging benefits, methylglyoxal, or MGO, is a naturally occurring compound that delivers a cascade of support designed to enhance daily well-being. Ultra MGO 800+ is created through the partnership of the honeybee and the native mānuka tree, reflecting a time-honored process where purity, potency and purpose align. This rare honey can only be harvested in New Zealand and carries a 100 percent New Zealand Guarantee of Origin, ensuring authenticity, traceability and uncompromising quality. Sustainability lies at the heart of its journey, with harvesting practices guided by deep respect for the land, the bees and the delicate ecosystems that make this honey possible. Every step is taken with exceptional care to protect its precious properties, preserving the natural complexity that sets it apart from other honeys. One spoonful of pure mānuka honey a day nourishes your skin from within, supports natural vitality and reveals a radiant, healthy glow inside and out. Plus, Ultra MGO 800+ is thicker, richer and earthier than other honeys, with intense mineral bursts and chocolate notes. More than a single ingredient, Ultra MGO 800+ is one luminous component of a holistic, harmonious approach to wellness — inviting balance, vitality and a deeper connection to the natural world.
Skinade Better Skin from Within Collagen Drink (https://us.skinade.com)
A refreshing beverage with anti-aging properties? Sign Mom up this Mother’s Day. Skinade Better Skin From Within is a multi-award-winning, natural peach and mangosteen-flavored collagen drink that boosts the body’s natural production of collagen and hyaluronic acid. It delivers essential micronutrients in liquid form, aiming to rebuild the skin’s collagen matrix and combat signs of aging by reducing oxidative stress, preventing cross-linking of collagen fibers and increasing moisture within the dermal layer. The drink contains high-grade hydrolyzed marine collagen peptides blended with Vitamin B Complex, MSM, Vitamin C, L-Lysine and Omegas 3 and 6. As a result, Skinade helps restore a youthful appearance, improve tone, texture and hydration and smooth furrow lines. According to the company, it functions sublingually and isotonically, allowing ingredients to achieve a reported absorption rate of 90 to 95 percent—a level tablets or powders suspended in solution cannot match. After completing a 30-day course of ready-to-drink 150-milliliter bottles or 15-milliliter liquid concentrate travel sachets, consumers have reported more even-toned skin, increased radiance and healthier-looking hair and nails.
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As a Food & Beverage Magazine contributor, Merilee Kern, MBA keeps her finger on the pulse of the marketplace in search of new and innovative must-haves and exemplary experiences at all price points, from the affordable to the extreme, with a particular focus on food, beverage, travel, hospitality and luxury lifestyle trends. Her work reaches multi-millions worldwide via broadcast TV (her own shows and others on which she appears) as well as a myriad of print and online publications. Connect with her at www.TheLuxeList.com / Instagram www.Instagram.com/MerileeKern / X www.X.com/MerileeKern / Facebook www.Facebook.com/MerileeKernOfficial / LinkedIN www.LinkedIn.com/in/MerileeKern.
***Some or all of the accommodations(s), experience(s), item(s) and/or service(s) detailed above may have been provided or arranged at no cost to accommodate if this is review editorial, but all opinions expressed are entirely those of Merilee Kern and have not been influenced in any way.***
