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2020 has taught us to appreciate the little things in life, like a delicious meal, a comfy couch, and a glass of fine wine at the end of the day.

The couch is in your living room, the groceries are a click away, and more and more people are ordering wine online.

The internet has long been a part of the wine business, but it’s really taken off this year, changing consumer habits and prompting wine sellers to upgrade their online systems.

According to The Drinks Business, whereas before a highly involved wine lover may have booked a ticket to attend an in-person tasting with an expert or winemaker weeks in advance, they’re now researching and going through tasting notes before ordering cases to try online.

“It used to be that you bought a bottle of Champagne to look cool in a social setting,” says Richard Halstead, CEO of Wine Intelligence.

“The aspiration now is to learn something about it so you can talk about it, a bit like book club. The other element is ‘I just want to do it for me’. Not to show off to others, but for personal fulfilment.”

Courses like the Wines of South Africa online wine course have been gaining traction, as more people take their spare time and their love of wine and turn it into a hobby, or an additional qualification.

With limited activities on offer, wine lovers have been looking to mix up their wine racks by exploring new regions and grape varieties.

Winemakers that focus on terroir specific wines, like Anthonij Rupert Wyne, are proving popular, with a wider variety of offerings in one place.

For the online shopper, this is a great way to organise an at-home tasting without having to put in multiple orders.

Winemakers have also moved their seasonal specials online. At Anthonij Rupert Wyne, you’ll find some carefully thought-out gift sets, guaranteed to score you major points when the prezzies are passed around on Christmas Day.

Here’s a sample:

Cape of Good Hope Gift Set: Chardonnay

In the set, you’ll find a bottle of Cape of Good Hope Chardonnay, a box of LMC Pear & Elderflower tea, and Orange Twirls preserve, for those who enjoy the more delicate things in life.

Truffle Gift Box

The food lover in your life will love this combo of a bottle of Cape of Good Hope Altima Sauvignon Blanc, and a bottle of Cape of Good Hope Sneeuwkrans Pinot Noir, both of which will pair perfectly with whatever is made using the truffle salt and truffle pasta.

L’Ormarins Festive Cracker Box

Ditch the cheap plastic crackers at your Christmas table in favour of a bottle of L’Ormarins Brut Rose NV, L’Ormarins Brut Rose Vintage 2015, and L’Ormarins Blanc de Blancs 2013, each wrapped in its own giant Christmas cracker.

If you’re the sort of family that plays Secret Santa, and there’s a period where you can swap gifts, you might even leave with the gift set you bought in the back seat.

No harm in ordering your own, though, just to be safe.

Visit Anthonij Rupert Wyne’s online store to see the extensive gift range.

[source:thedrinksbusiness]