ATTENTION: There's Now a Canned Wine Advent Calendar

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'Tis the season to be jolly. And you know the quickest way to get there? A wine advent calendar!

In the past, advent calendars were limited, offering just some good chocolate as a nice treat as you count down the days to Christmas. But now, you can get almost anything in them, from beauty products to selections of coffee. But if you really want to treat yourself or a friend, a great wine advent calendar is the way to go. Not only can you unwind and warm up after a day in the cold, but wine advent calendars open your palette and let you sample brands and flavors you haven't before.

You can get one from a company like Laithwaites, which offers a ton of different varieties, or you can stick to what you know you like and get a calendar that is filled with all red or sparkling options. Heck, there are even canned wine advent calendars now.

So if you're ready to make your season extra merry and bright, look to these best advent calendars of 2023, including 12- and 24-day ideas. And a word to the wise: Be sure to order early as many calendars tend to sell-out quickly.

For more advent calendar ideas, check out our other lists:

Alcohol Advent Calendars | Advent Calendars for Men | Cheese Advent Calendars

Wine Advent Calendar

Starting December 1, pull back the cardboard to reveal a very merry surprise. There's a balanced mix of red, white and rosé wines, so it's perfect for the person who loves every (and any) type of wine.

You'll find that the wine comes from different regions, too, including Italy, France, Spain, Portugal and California. You'll also get information every day about the wine you're drinking and what to pair it with for dinner. Each bottle is a little over six ounces, which means you can easily split it with someone if you don't feel like having a whole glass (which is typically five ounces).

• Ship date: Immediately

• Number of doors: 24

Holiday Wine Advent Calendar

Wine can be expensive, but you'll be pleasantly surprised with the quality and pricetag of this wine advent calendar. Nestled in a festive box, there are 24 mini bottles of wines that are either red, white or rosé.

According to the brand, varietals include Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Zinfandel, Pinot Grigio, Cabernet Sauvignon-Merlot, Rose, Red Blend, Moscato, Merlot, Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon-Syrah, Pinot Noir. Each bottle contains a little over six ounces of wine.

• Ship date: Immediately

• Number of doors: 24

2023 Wine Advent Calendar

Bottles not your thing? No worries. Those who prefer to sip from a can can still get in on the fun with this calendar that includes a mix of red, white, rosé and sparkling wines.

The brand focuses on bringing customers options from small and diverse producers, so you're sure to experience something new with each one. The cans are equivalent to about 1/3 bottle of wine, with many reviewers saying each one is shareable.

• Ship date: November 1

• Number of doors: 12

Wines of the World

This advent calendar is one of our favorites. Not only is the design impressive (it can easily be part of your Christmas decor!), but every wine we sampled was better than the next. In addition to red, white and rosé wines, there's also port wine options, which are thicker and sweeter to really get you in a festive mood. But the best part of the package comes on December 24, when you're able to pop half a bottle of Prosecco. That's right: half a bottle!

• Ship date: Immediately

• Number of doors: 24

12 Nights of Wine

Pretty enough to be left out on your counter, the brand offers three options for you to enjoy. The first, Cozy Collection, includes only bold and delicious red wines, while Chill Collect has a mix of red, white and rosé, all which are to be served cold. If you can't make up your mind, you can go with the 24 Nights of Wine, which combines both.

As you sip on your wine each day, scan the corresponding card to learn more about female sommeliers shaking up the industry. You'll also get a guide with tasting notes and pairing recommendations.

• Ship date: Mid-October

• Number of doors: 12

12 Bottle Wine Advent Calendar

Ready for this? The Vintage Wine Estates advent calendar features 12 half bottles (most calendars feature quarter bottles) from their California winery. You'll can go for a mix, which offers red, white and rosé, or choose the all-red or all-white option. And because of the size, you can easily share with a friend.

Last year, this was a top-seller among Good Housekeeping readers, and it makes sense: Not only are the blends great, but the price is good, too. You'll also get all the information about the brand, so you can order more if you really love it.

• Ship date: Immediately

• Number of doors: 12

Red Wine Advent Calendar 2023

If red is your thing, look no further. You'll get 12 half-bottles (that's right, half bottles!) of delicious red wine from top-brands such as Francis Coppola, Josh, Mondavi and J. Lohr.

The great thing about this calendar is because it's filled with options from popular brands, you're sure to enjoy each bottle. In addition to Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Pinot Noir, you'll also get red blends.

• Ship date: November

• Number of doors: 12

Sparkling Wine Advent Calendar

Pop the cork each night leading up to Christmas to enjoy fizzy offerings from top wineries like Chandon and Ruffino.

Each bottle is a little over six ounces, and because of the size of the box, it can easily fit inside your fridge so your glass will be nice and chill. Not every bottle is a straight Prosecco though, you'll enjoy sparkling rosé and Brut as well.

• Ship date: November

• Number of doors: 12

Wood Mini Liquor Advent Calendar

If you know what you like, then take the DIY route by filling a wooden advent calendar with 25 mini bottles of your choice. It's also probably the best option if you're planning to gift an advent calendar!

In addition to being handmade and knowing you'll get exactly what you want, the calendar is reusable, so you can keep it and pull it out year after year.

• Ship date: Immediately

• Number of doors: 25

Wine Advent Calendar

What to look for when shopping a wine advent calendar

There are a lot of wine advent calendars on the market, and it's nearly impossible to tell if you'll enjoy each selection that's there for you, but here are a few things to keep in mind when shopping.

✔️ Variety: "This may be too obvious, but I’d recommend paying attention to your recipients’ tastes when selecting a wine calendar," says Trish Clasen Marsanico, Good Housekeeping's deputy food editor. "If you know someone pretty much only drinks white wine, think twice before gifting them a variety pack that also has red and rosé as well." You'll also have to decide if you want a 12- or 24-day option.

✔️ Price: Some options can run you up to $200. The price will go up if you're opting for more (24 days vs. 12) or bigger bottles (half bottles vs. 1/3). You'll also want to take note of the shipping price. Some brands offer free shipping, while others can have an additional cost up to $15.

What is a wine advent calendar?

Instead of toys, chocolates or socks, wine advent calendars feature 12 or 24 days worth of different types of wine. There are variety packs, which include reds, whites and sparkling. But there are also specific ones if you prefer just one type. Some feature wines from around the world, others just include those from a specific region. Whatever you choose, every time you open a door, you'll find a mini-bottle of booze inside to enjoy.

When do you start a wine advent calendar?

Nearly all advent calendars are meant to be started on December 1. So if you're working with a 24-bottle calendar, that's the day to start. However, since a good deal of wine advent calendars come with just 12 bottles, you can begin on December 12.

When it comes to which door you should open, you can begin with door number one. So actually, we count up to Christmas, not down. The last door on the calendar usually features the best product in the set. However, it's Christmas, and if you want to start with day 24, that's fine too!

How long can you keep wine from an advent calendar?

“As long as you don't open it, the wine should last years," says Susan Choung, Good Housekeeping's recipe editor. However, she notes that certain wines, like rosé, are meant to be drunk young and don't get better with age. So it's a good idea to Google what type of wine is in your calendar to see if it has any limits.

Which states do not allow shipping of alcohol?

Alabama, Mississippi, Utah and Kentucky don't allow for the delivery of booze, while Rhode Island and Delaware have restrictions. Each advent calendar brand may also have their own restriction for delivery as well.

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