Choosing the right wine for a gift need not be a daunting experience.
Wine makes a classic, thoughtful and enjoyable gift for many occasions. However, knowing which wine to pick can prove to be a challenge. Oenophiles are replete with suggestions for what wine is the best vintage in any given year, but most consumers drink based on two categories: taste and price. Choose a wine for your gift recipient that best represents his interest.
Consider Your Audience
You can often gather clues about which type of wine a person prefers by her previous selections. Reflect on wines you have seen her order in restaurants or serve in her home. Consider the kind of stemware the person drinks from. It is likely you have noticed preferences forming in her selection: white or red, sweet or dry, etc. If the person likes to indulge in the experience of wine -- smelling, swirling, sipping -- choose a Pinot Noir or Sauvignon Blanc. If the person prefers to drink as an accompaniment to socialization, picking a wine based on an attractive or comical label makes a good conversation piece.
Travel the World
If you know little of a person's wine preferences, try choosing wine from a region that interests him. If the person fondly remembers his last trip to Northern Italy, he might appreciate a bottle of the sparkling wine Prosecco or deep red Amarone, both typical of the region. During the summer, Vinho Verde, "green" wine, provides a unique and freshly bubbly taste of Portugal. South African Pinotage, Australian Shiraz, and Chilean Malbec have all developed respected reputations, and they make excellent gifts with an exotic flair. For eco-friendly consumers, wines made from organic grapes or local vineyards make respectable choices.
Choose for the Occasion
Consider where your wine will be consumed. You might want to select a higher-grade wine for an intimate dinner of four than a jovial dinner of eight. Syrahs and Malbecs often pair well with heavy food. Ros s work with lighter fare, like chicken breasts and spinach, or as an aperitif if you are unsure what your host might serve. If you want to give a person a bottle of wine for a celebratory occasion, he might appreciate a bottle of Champagne. A wine collector will appreciate a bottle with a notable vintage he can preserve. The given year's best and/or fastest-appreciating wines often have bottles at varying price points.
Do Not Stress
A person who drinks wine enjoys wine. Not every wine fits every taste, but the thoughtfulness of the giver will supersede the need to present that time-honored panacea, a bottle of wine, to your friend, host or colleague. If you feel uncertain of your choice, accompany it with a decorative gift bag, bow, box of chocolates or cheeses with which to pair it.
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