Giving champagne almost guarantees that your gift will be used and enjoyed.
Wine
No Gift Receipt Necessary
Wine — the most tasteful (and tasty) present for the holidays.
BY
Ryan Sciara
PHOTOGRAPHY
Matt Kocourek

We have all been there, on the receiving end of the not-so-perfect gift. For you, it might have been the ceramic deviled egg serving tray/toothpick holder. For me, it was the hand knit ‘Cosby style’ sweater that was three sizes too small. Although the thought was there, it wasn’t quite my color or size, and it’s not like it could be exchanged. Even if you haven’t been there, maybe you should go back through your gift giving history and wonder if you could have done better.

If you’re not already, you’ll soon feel the pressure of finding the right  gift for that special person on your list. Some people have the knack for dreaming up the perfect gift for friends and loved ones during the holidays; most of us, however, are susceptible to the pressure and lack of creativity that can often lead to the last-minute purchase of a gift in bad taste.

Wine is an easy gift to give. Unlike a ceramic deviled egg serving tray/toothpick holder, one can never have too much wine in the home. Here are a few guidelines to keep in mind before you get started.

First, if you’re clueless about wine, don’t hesitate to ask a good wine merchant for advice. Forget your fear that he or she might be trying to pawn off some inferior plonk that didn’t sell last year. Many wine shops will do a significant amount of their yearly business during the holidays, so chances are they are putting their best foot forward. Folks at a good wine shop want to make you look good so that you patronize them next time. Give the wine guy or gal a firm and definite price range, mention anything you know about your gift recipient’s taste in wine and let them do the work for you.

If you’re on a budget, steer clear of big-ticket categories, such as Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon or French Bordeaux. Instead, look for the bang-for-your-buck categories, such as Spanish Garnacha, Southern Italian reds or Argentine Malbec, and pick a wine from one of the better producers. Many great wines from these regions can be had for less than $15-$20 per bottle.

If you are buying for your boss or someone you really want to impress, be smart and try not to get too over-the-top. To give someone a bottle of Penfold’s Grange or Bryant Family Cabernet Sauvignon is a ridiculous gesture unless the person is really into high-end wine. Instead, do a mixed six-pack of bottles from smaller boutique vineyards that would provide high quality but over a wide spectrum. Another reason to consider quantity is that a single expensive bottle might get put away for a few years to age, so 10 years down the road, the giver of that special bottle might be long forgotten. Multiple bottles raise your chances of sharing some down the road.

Nothing is more festive than champagne or sparkling wine, and there are choices in every price range. From the top-of-the-line Tete de Cuvees from Salon, Krug, Taittinger and Dom Perignon, all the way down to simple but tasty little Cavas from Spain and Proseccos from Italy, sparkling wine seems to stand out. For something really special, hunt down a ‘grower’ or ‘artisan’ champagne — vintners who grow and produce their own wines. While the Grand Marques are busy blending still wines from co-ops, these artisans are capturing the true terroir of their respective vineyards. Look for A. Margaine, Gaston Chiquet, Henri Billiot, Pierre Gimonnet — these small production gems can be found at fractions of the price of some of the big boys, usually less than $50 per bottle. The best part about giving champagne is that your gift might be the one popped on that special day like an anniversary, birthday or New Year’s Eve.

Don’t give what you want to drink; give what they want to drink. Don’t give big, bold reds to friends who only drink sweet whites. Instead, find wines you think they would like. You can find wines that will expand their taste experiences. For the white zin drinker, try a German Riesling Spatlese; it will still have the sweetness they like but with more complexities and balance.

If you can find them, consider a large-format bottle, such as a magnum, which is 1.5 liters or the equivalent of two 750ml bottles. Specialty wine retailers often carry magnums and larger-format bottles, especially during the holidays. For serious collectors, large-format bottles are a very smart gift. Large-format bottles age more gracefully and mature much slower than their standard 750ml counterparts do.

Finally, fight the urge to buy a wine solely on its label and packaging. Sometimes more time, energy and money is spent on the label and shortcuts are taken in the juice that ends up in the bottle and eventually on your friend’s table.

Ryan Sciara is co-founder and managing partner of Cellar Rat Wine Merchants.