This column originally appeared in The Centre County Gazette.
Gift giving season is in full swing, but gifting wine can be hit or miss. If you’re shopping for a wine novice, finding something they will definitely enjoy can be tricky, and if they are a wine lover, the pressure to find a unique sip can be even trickier.
Of course, with all gifts, it is the thought that matters. Taking the time to hunt for a perfect bottle that someone will love that will enhance an experience they will share with loved ones and that shows you care is what is most important.
Still, if you want to ensure you buy the perfect bottle that shows you know them well — or if they are a friend of a friend or work colleague that you want to seem like you know well — there are a few things you can consider when shopping.
DOES PRICE MATTER?
More money doesn’t always mean better, and some may argue that there is a limit to how much a bottle of wine costs that is actually connected to the quality of wine and not other external factors like brand, marketing, exclusivity, etc.
There are many reasons why a bottle gets priced how it does, from the age of the vines used to grow the grapes for the wine to the amount produced (fewer bottles made will likely increase the cost), its ageability to its brand reputation and more. And so, just because you spend the most amount of money possible, does not mean it is the best bottle on the shelf.
Set a range for your budget before you head to the shop and then look for the best option in that range. There are some amazing bottles of wine that are under $20. Some countries, like Argentina, Greece, Portugal, to name a few, produce exceptional wines for the fraction of the cost of a Bordeaux or California cabernet.
Keep in mind, wine is meant to be enjoyed. A $20 wine can be just as enjoyable as a $200 bottle of wine when shared with friends or in a special setting and paired with the right food or atmosphere.
NAME BRANDS OR UNKNOWN
There are some famous brands that, to the right person, may be a gift that leaves them speechless. Many of these brands have a reputation for their quality and ageability. A bottle of a specific vintage (the year the grapes used for the wine were grown) Dom Perignon — for example, the year that they were born or have a significant anniversary in — can be both sentimental and exclusive. These bottles can be put away in a cellar for years to age, considered a collectors items or simply just opened and enjoyed whenever feels right.
However, for some, a lesser known, off-the-beaten-path brand can be a unique find that will be appreciated more than a mass-produced market wine. Does the person your gifting have a favorite place they’ve traveled to or dream destination? A bottle of wine from that location can be a great reminder of the unique culture that that country and wine region have, can bring back memories for them or inspire them to finally book that plane ticket to go try the wine in person at the winery.
TO DRINK NOW OR TO PUT AWAY
It is no secret that wine, specially wine collecting, can be an expensive hobby. Some people spend hundreds of dollars at wine auctions to get the perfect bottle to put away in their cellar as an investment wine. While most wines sold locally are sold in their optimal drinking window — meaning they have been aged in the bottle for a set amount of time that has brought out the wines best aged qualities — some may benefit from being put away for a few years.
If you are gifting a wine to someone you know will open it right away and enjoy it, consider buying a wine that doesn’t need to be aged. However, if the person you are shopping for tends to put stuff away for a special occasion, consider an option that can be cellared for a few years. Or, if you know the person you are shopping for has a wine collection, consider buying a wine that will complete that collection.
Of course, all wine is meant to be consumed. Though some people buy investment wines that they store for years in the hopes of reselling it for a profit — wine generally has an 8.5% annual return over the last century and is a less volatile investment since it is not connected to stock or bond markets, according to Vint — most people will opt to enjoy the gift you give them relatively quickly.
SO WHAT WINE SHOULD YOU GIFT?
From white to red, sweet to dry, still to sparkling, there are a lot of wine options to consider. So how do you choose what wine to gift?
First, consider what you know the person already does or does not like. If they hate coffee because it’s too bitter but love Sprite, this can guide you as to what their wine preferences will be. For example, Sprite is quite citrus-forward and light. An acidic white wine like a sauvignon blanc, perhaps from Sancerre in France, would align with this preference. Similarly, if you know they have favorite foods they tend to eat regularly, consider a wine that would pair well with this food.
However, if you do not know their preferences, there are a few wines that can help you err on the side of caution when shopping.
A sparkling wine can be a great celebratory option. Prosecco — a sparkling wine hailing from Italy, made from the grape glera — is a sweeter more aromatic sparkling wine in comparison to Champagne, which is aged on lees (the dead yeast cells from the fermentation). The lees aging in Champagne makes the sparkling wine taste more brioche-like. In contrast, prosecco will have notes of melon, peach and honeysuckle. This will help bridge the gap between those who prefer sweeter and dry wines. And, because of its flavor profile, it also pairs well with orange juice, making it a great option for someone to turn into a mimosa if they do not like it independently.
In terms of white wine, chenin blanc is a versatile wine that appeals to a wide range of palates, offering styles from dry and crisp to sweet and luscious. It has a vibrant acidity and often has notes of apple, pear and honey, making it more approachable for different types of palates and preferences. Additionally, its affordability and availability from top regions like South Africa and the Loire Valley make it an elegant yet practical gift option.
If you want to gift a red wine, merlot is a great choice that strikes a balance between light and heavy. Its medium body and smooth texture won’t make it too overwhelmingly tannic — a dry mouth feel — though it still holds enough complexity to appeal to those who prefer a bolder red. Combined with flavors of plum, black cherry and chocolate, make it approachable yet satisfying. Merlot pairs well with a variety of foods, from pasta dishes to grilled meats, making it versatile for any occasion.
Centre County Gazette editor Jessi Blanarik is a certified sommelier and holds a master’s in wine tourism and sustainability. She has lived in and worked in the wine industry in Spain, France, Portugal and Greece.
