Wine can make an excellent gift. (Image from JustGrapes.net)
Purchasing wine for someone else can be tricky, but if done right, it can be an exciting and meaningful gift. Even if you have no clue what their wine preferences are (Cab or Merlot? Chard or Riesling?), you can use what you do know about them to narrow the field.
What's Their Culinary Personality?
Think back over the meals or happy hours you've enjoyed with the person you're shopping for. If it's a colleague, what kind of food do they swear by for lunch? For example, if the gift-getter has My Thai on speed dial, it's a safe bet they regularly enjoy Asian food for dinner too. What goes better with flavorful and often spicy Asian cuisine than a Riesling or Gewurztraminer? These sweeter white wines are known to cool the burn without overpowering the subtle flavors of Asian dishes. Or, if the gift-getter is a friend who insists on taking everyone they know to their favorite little Italian place, a Sangiovese (lighter-bodied) or Barbera (fuller-bodied) would make the perfect present.
Even if your recipient enjoys no-frills foods--cereal for breakfast, sandwich for lunch, chicken for dinner--you can find a no-fuss wine that will likely surprise them. Pinot Noir is a safe bet; being the lightest-bodied red wine, the tannins are softer than in bigger reds and the mouthfeel is more similar to that of a white wine (less heavy on the tongue).
Shopping for a Wine Aficionado?
A friend once shared with me that back before she knew about wine, she had picked up the most expensive bottle of wine at 7-11 and brought it to a colleague's dinner party. While the host uncorked several other guests' gift bottles throughout dinner, ooh-ing and ahh-ing over the fancy French and Italian vineyard names, my friend's 7-11 bottle sat off to the side, unopened and untouched. She had known that her colleague "liked" wine, but she was too intimidated by specialty wine stores to do anything other than stop at 7-11.
Is your gift for that girlfriend who orders for all of you on nights out at the wine bar? The couple that perfectly pairs a different wine with every course when hosting a dinner party? This is where your wine shop is your best friend. Even if you know nothing about wine or your gift recipients' taste, a wine store can help you find a suitable and even impressive gift--get this--without spending a fortune. Explain that the gift recipient has an adventurous palate or simply that they "know a lot about wine." Also explain that you have a budget. Say, "I'd like to spend no more than $30," or "Is there anything I can give in the $15-range that would still be special for a knowledgeable wine lover?"
Your wine shop associates know where the best values are in their store, and as wine lovers themselves (who are probably on a budget), they know what tastes like it costs more than it actually does. They also know what new and adventurous wines in their store experienced wine shoppers lean towards, and by collecting basic details about your gift recipient, they can find a wine that the gift-getter may never have tried before but would ultimately love.
Alternatively, if you simply don't feel comfortable assuming a wine is right for this person, try wine accessories--books, Riedel glassware, a leather wine case.
When Wine Isn't the Right Gift
If you've never seen the gift recipient drink, despite numerous happy hour outings, or if the recipient regularly passes on drinks even when they aren't driving, reconsider wine as a gift. There may be an alcoholism issue, a health or medication issue, or just a personal preference that prevents that person from consuming wine. If they are hosting you for a party, bring a bouquet of flowers instead. If it's a gift for a birthday or wedding, consider a restaurant gift certificate instead. You avoid the risk of offending someone or forcing them into a position to have to disclose their reason for not drinking.
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