Wine Gift Giving 101
Remember in A Christmas Story when Ralphie was forced to try on the pink bunny outfit from Aunt Clara? Don’t be Aunt Clara – unless you’re buying a gag gift. Gifts that elicit awkward expressions of feigned enthusiasm and appreciation are gifts that probably required a lot more thought. This is true for any kind of gift, and wine is no exception.
Make It Personal
If you know the recipient’s favorite wine, you’re sitting pretty. If not, what’s their favorite food? If they like to sink their teeth into a thick, juicy porterhouse, you can’t go wrong with a rich, full-bodied Cabernet Sauvignon, like the Red Diamond Cabernet Sauvignon Washington or the J Lohr Cabernet Sauvignon 7 Oaks Paso Rablos. If you’re buying for a seafood fanatic who can’t resist the lobster special, a crisp, fruity Chardonnay will bring out the flavor of the lobster. If you need help, check out our wine pairing tool.
Did the gift recipient just get back from a dream vacation? Track down a bottle from that city or country. Choose wine that’s produced in the city where they grew up, got married or went to college. Is this the recipient’s first holiday as a parent or grandparent? Celebrate with Champagne or sparkling wine. Even if the recipient has had health issues, Pinot Noir is packed with antioxidants and there are plenty of wines for the health-conscious crowd. One glass at a time, please!
Use Common Sense
If you’re buying for someone who enjoys a $90 bottle of Napa Valley Mondavi with dinner, you should stay away from the $8 bottles. On the other hand, if you’re buying for someone who guzzles whatever domestic draft is cheapest with a bacon cheeseburger while seated at his reserved corner barstool, it’s a safe bet that this person will be satisfied with a bottle priced in the single digits. And there’s nothing wrong with that. Any true wine lover will tell you that you don’t have to spend a fortune for a great bottle of wine.
Still Stumped? Go With A Gift Basket Made By The Experts
Some will say this is the easy way out. Your response should be, “Who cares?” When you choose a gift basket created by people who know how to group different types of wine or pair the right wine with the right food, you can’t make a wrong decision. We have gift baskets designed for romance, celebrations, lovers of gourmet food and chocolate indulgence. Some baskets highlight a particular brand, while others highlight a particular wine-making region. Regardless of the gift you plan to give, whether it’s a Mouton Bordeaux or a Red Ryder BB Gun, give it with love and raise a glass to family and friends. After all, isn’t that what the holidays are all about?
