How to select wine as a gift

Wine is a great gift on almost any occasion, no matter it is for a newly-married couple as a housewarming gift, or for the hostess of a dinner party. However, if you don’t know much about wine, picking one out can be rather daunting. Thus, it is important to think about your friend’s preference, the price range, the season, and other factors.

Determine the price range

If you are not sure which wine to choose, remember that the safe range is mid-range to high end. Cheap wine will taste cheap, and your friend may have to resort to drinking beer instead. However, that is not to say that you can’t buy a decent wine at a reasonable price. For instance, you can get a very tasty Cotes du Rhône for about $15.

Consider the season

You won’t want to drink a heavy Cabernet Sauvignon on a hot summer evening, instead, it is better to pick one according to the season. In summer, a Sauvignon blanc full of fruitiness and a harmonious touch of minerality would be perfect. In autumn, you may want fuller-bodied whites, such as oaked Chardonnay or Viognier. During the winter, heavier wines like Cabernet Sauvignon and Bordeaux blend are better since you’ll have heavier dishes. While in spring, you can choose lighter, fruitier wines, such as Chenin Blanc, Pinot Grigio, or Rose.

Know the person’s preference

If your friend has a sweet tooth, it would be nice to present him or her a dessert type of wine, such as Sweet Muscat or Traminer. However, if your friend is kind of conservative, you’d better choose a sparkling wine, and make sure it was produced by the traditional method. As an alternative, you may also choose a lighter red wine like a fruity Barbera.

Gift wrap a wine

Now that you’ve selected the wine, the last thing is to gift wrap it. If you are going to someone’s home and it is going to be more as a token of appreciation, you can directly present the wine unwrapped, or simply add a bow or ribbon. If you are giving it to a wine connoisseur, you can find a package for the wine, such as some beautiful wooden, metal, or even cardboard containers that are specially designed for wines.