I'm taking him a thank-you gift of a
bottle of wine in a nice wine box. Nothing wrong with that.

It can still be an annoyance if it's a wine he knows he won't like. Then he
will be put through the paces of drinking it and expressing his appreciation to
you for it.

I agree that the convention of guests bringing gifts is cumbersome (I am
especially annoyed when guests bring wine, expecting me to serve it with the
meal), but it's important enough to some guests that hosts should suffer
through it.

Neil