I want to give wine as a gift, what should I purchase?

Question

I want to give wine as a gift, what should I purchase?

Answer 1

It is nice to choose something you consider special and that you have tried and feel comfortable with. If possible, find out if the friend has any specific wine preferences (e.g., white vs. red, dry vs. sweet) that will help you choose a wine they will enjoy.

It's always a good idea to have a bottle or two of something you like on hand. A good "house" wine will be something inexpensive, that you would enjoy drinking on its own, and versatile enough to go with most of the kinds of foods you most often enjoy. Among white wines, a lighter-style Chardonnay, a crisp Sauvignon Blanc, or a Pinot Gris or Pinot Grigio are all good choices. For reds, the lighter wines are great to have on hand, such as Beaujolais, Chianti, or a Merlot.

Answer 2

If you have no idea what kind of wine to get don't do what most people do.. buy according to the best or coolest label.



First you should have an idea whether they like Red or White.

Then have a budget.. a bottle of wine can go from $5 to $1000 so have a budget.. Usually about $25 will get you a decent wine... most of the higher rated bottles will be around $38 to $50..



Ask the workers at the wine shop for suggestion.. if there is no one around.. look at the aisles and look for the Wine Spectator Ratings and look for wine in the 90s.. Some of the nicer wine will be reviewed by this magazine and be rated.



91 or 92 rating will be a great wine.. higher the rating number most likely will be more expensive.. This is a good guide to use when you don't know too much about wine.



Whomever receives the wine will be happy with your selection.. good luck!

Answer 3

You don't say how much you want to spend, so that makes it hard to give good suggestions. If you want to spend $30 or more, look for a Raymond Cabernet. They rarely make a bad wine and are available at many wine shops and even at Trader Joe's. If he's not a cab person, Archery Summit Pinot Noir, Domaine Drouhin, and Domaine Serene are some of the best Pinots out there. They usually start at around $35-$40 and go up depending on the type. For a big Super Tuscan without the big price - Fontelloro (I think that's spelled close) is awesome. It starts at $35 and goes up.



For white wine - under $15 Maryhill Proprietors Reserve/Barrel Select Chardonnay is awesome. A little buttery, not too sweet, not too dry. A great summer wine. For around $10, Duck Pond Pinot Gris is very good for the price. Erath and Kings Estate also offer good white wines at a good value.



The good things about the wines I've mentioned is that they aren't everyday and overly famous to the generic wine person. Things like Beringer, Kendall Jackson, Clos Du Bois, and many of those 'Big Names' are overpriced compared to some quiter, smaller vineyards. It will show that you took the time to look for something different and didn't just go with what's on sale at the supermarket.

Answer 4

That is a hard question because there are many different types of wine. First decide if you want red or white, dry or sweet.

Go for something that is a good price, at least $20.00

Sometimes, people can tell if you picked up a $6.00 bottle.

Australian wines are very popular. Shiraz is nice.

Answer 5

My advice is , what does he like red, white, blush... Find out what he likes and you can pick up a good bottle at a wine shop cheep say $15-$25. If you know what he likes, just ask at the store what type is good in your price range. Most wine shops are happy to help.

Answer 6

You want to know how dry or sweet a person likes their wine. If they are not a big wine drinker, I would suggest either a dessert wine or a riesling. White zinfandel and merlot are kind of middle of the road and pinot noir and chardonnay are considered quite dry.

Answer 7

For birthday gifts I usually go with a good bottle of champagne. Most people enjoy drinking champagne, most people don't drink it every day, and if you really don't know what kind of wines your friend likes it's just a safer bet.

Answer 8

A nice dry white wine would be a perfect gift.

Answer 9

Go to the wine store and ask the person who ownes it. There are very good local as well as international wines...

Answer 10

A nice California Merlot is always a good choice. Maybe a bottle of Robert Mondovi Private Reserve.

Around $20.00 to $25.00 dollars a bottle.

Answer 11

Antonio Banderas

Answer 12

I really love the pinot wines. If they like red wine go with a good pinot noir and if they like white wine pinot grigio.

Answer 13

Be more specific in your question -- does the recipient like red or white -- and more specifically what type? Merlot? Cabernet? Chardonnay? etc.



I myself am partial to Chateau St. Michele Chardonnay....(that's a white wine)

Answer 14

You would be much safer buying spirit - a nice bottle of Malt Scotch or a 12 year old Irish Jameson's......

Answer 15

a good bottle of Reisling...not too sweet, not too dry, and an elegant choice.

Answer 16

It all depends on who you're giving it to and for what occasion.....