Hot Topic: Giving the Gift of Wine

By Bryan Robbins, Cool Springs Wines & Spirits

Published in VIP Franklin Magazine, December 2006

'Tis the season for giving, and giving wine is a wonderful holiday gift idea. It can be enjoyed immediately or savored years later. It can be exotic or an old favorite. It can be expensive or it can be a bargain. There are always people on your list that are hard to shop for, and you want your gift to set itself apart because there is a certain satisfaction that goes with giving a gift that is unique.

There are a few guidelines for choosing the right wine as a gift. Price is an obvious place to begin but you don???t have to spend a fortune to find a nice wine. I suggest you begin shopping by checking out the recommended wines in The Wine Enthusiast and The Wine Spectator. Especially observe the ???Best Vale??? suggestions in each issue. These publications will also offer ideas about uncommon wine styles and current trends in the world of wine making.

If you don???t have time (or patience) to peruse the pages of the wine guides, just consult a professional at your local wine shop (some of the better shops will have gift bags available). If you know something about the tastes and preferences of the people on your list, your merchant can make your shopping as smooth as a glass of fine burgundy. Even if you don???t know their exact tastes, you can purchase a range of wines that is sure to be greeted with delight.

Think about selecting several wines from a particular region of the world or a particular style. For red wine lovers, a trio of Riojas from Spain might be just the thing; or maybe a pair of Super Tuscans from Italy. Argentina and Chile offer all sorts of possibilities, from creamy whites to robust reds. It might be fun to pair your regional selections with some food (i.e. pasta for the Italians), or another complimentary item (i.e. a ticket to Buenos Ares, Argentina!)

Closer to home, you may want to shop the favorite vineyards of those on your list. Chances are that they may have spent time in the wine country of California or the Northwest and already have a passion for a particular vintner. Think about what they tend to favor when they entertain or when they look over a wine list.

Another way of giving the gift of wine is by inviting guests for a glass of something special for the holidays. Surprise your guests with a no-two-bottles-alike party ??? a chance to sip something they may never have tried. For a touch of old world charm, serve hot mulled wine ??? often called Gleuhwein or Glogg ??? on the first frosty night of the season. Your local wine pro or the Internet can help you with the recipe for this warming and aromatic delight.

Often, retailers will have gifts sets of special wines, including verticals (consecutive vintages) & horizontals (a group of various vintages) of a particular wine, or 3 to 4 wines from the same winery. These often make for nice collectible gifts as well as unique tasting experiences.

Whatever you decide is the best approach to wine giving, make sure to treat yourself this holiday, too. It???s always nice to have on hand a bottle of your own favorite for when you're ready to relax after a long, hard day of holiday shopping.