A wine gift basket is a fantastic gift to give someone. If you are planning on making one yourself, or buying one, then you should spend some time thinking about what else you should include besides the wine. You don't want to include things that don't work with wine, and you also don't want to throw in the kitchen sink. The best method is to choose a few select items that will complement the wines you are choosing.

Here are a few ides to consider.

Herb Crackers

Any wine gift basket must include crackers. The best type of cracker to choose is a nice herb cracker. Crackers are much better than potato chips, nachos, or popcorn because their flavor won't overpower the wine. Also, crackers are excellent when paired with cheese or jams. A popular cracker is a one that is made with rosemary.

Fig Jam

A nice fig jam is a great idea for your gift basket. Fig jam works well with dark red wines, as well full-bodied white wines. Also, the flavor won't overpower the wine. Some jams, such as raspberry, blueberry, or strawberry jam, can be too sweet. Fig jam is sweet, but not overly saccharine. It also pairs well with cheese.

Cheddar and Gouda Cheese

Cheese is a must when creating a wine basket. However, you should be careful about the type of cheese you choose. Some cheeses are great with wine, but are not ideal for a wine basket. For instance, blue cheeses like Roquefort and Stilton are a little too soft and temperature sensitive. The two best cheeses to include are cheddar and gouda. They are both excellent with wine and they both hold up well. Gouda will even come in its own protective red wax cover. When choosing cheddar, you should look for an extra-sharp cheese. If possible, choose one that has been aged for a year. These cheeses have an extra powerful flavor and they are perfect for using on top of an herb cracker. Unlike mild cheddar, which is great for cooking and melting, extra-sharp aged cheddar is dry and best enjoyed in very thin slices on top of a cracker.

Dark Chocolate Truffles

Chocolate is an excellent item to pair with wine. For a wine basket, you should choose chocolate truffles instead of bar chocolate. Truffles are soft and silky smooth. They are also something that most people don't indulge in often, so they are perfect for a gift.