Miss Manners Weighs In: How to Graciously Handle Unmarked Wine Bottles from Your Neighbors

Dear Miss Manners:

I have a cordial relationship with my neighbors across the street. While we’re not particularly close, we share a friendly rapport. Occasionally, when they travel, they ask me to collect their mail, which leads to a recurring dilemma.

As a gesture of thanks, they consistently gift me unmarked bottles of wine. The problem is, my partner and I don’t drink wine, and we have never been seen consuming it. As a result, I now have a cabinet filled with these anonymous bottles.

I’m unsure how to communicate to my neighbors that we truly don’t want these wines. Regifting them is impossible due to the lack of identifying labels. What should I do?

Gentle Reader:

Unmarked bottles of wine, much like unmarked vans, should raise suspicion. Miss Manners advises you to graciously accept the gifts and discreetly pour the contents down the drain, making sure to dispose of the empty bottles elsewhere.

As you dispose of these wines, consider shedding your irritation about acquaintances not knowing your drinking habits. It does make your situation mildly less sympathetic. Your neighbors were simply trying to be kind, even if they misunderstood your preferences. Their lack of awareness regarding your drinking habits is, in fact, a positive aspect.

(For more questions, you can reach out to Miss Manners at her website, missmanners.com, or email her at dearmissmanners@gmail.com.)

About the Author: Chris Lehoux

Meet Chris Lehoux, an experienced wine connoisseur and dedicated blogger with a deep passion for all things wine-related. With years of expertise in the industry, Chris shares insightful wine reviews, valuable wine tasting tips, expert pairing advice, and captivating tales of vineyard visits. Join Chris on a journey through the world of wine, where every sip is an adventure waiting to be savored!