Buying red wine gifts can seem daunting, with the sheer number of varietals (types) available in every price range. . Should you buy the wine gifts based on occasion? Taste? Price? The answer is yes, yes, and yes.

A common reason for gifting a red wine is a dinner party or hostess gift. With a gift that is to presumably be opened that same day, and served to group, stick to a crowd pleasing “table wine”. Often this is a red blend, and just like the name states, is an agreeable blend of favourite grapes used to create a sippable dinner party wine. Some name to look for may be “Meritage, “Cabernet Merlot”, or simply red or house blend.

If your recipient is trendy, the “newest old grape” is the stand alone Malbec. Once used in France as a mixing grape, Argentina has refined this grape to a great stand alone red. It is on the “dry” (not sweet) side and many affordable (less than $15.00) selections are readily available.

For the romantic red wine gift, Pinot Noir works well with its delicate, fruit forward nature. Very pleasant to drink on its own, a bottle can be enjoyed by two over the course of a leisurely romantic evening. There aren’t a lot in this category in the inexpensive range, so do be prepared to spend a bit more for the most enjoyable evening in.

If your gift is to say “congratulations”, try Merlot. Most are familiar with this varietal and it spans a wide variety of palate pleasing tastes from very simple to quite complex. It is typically smooth, and may nudge someone who was an exclusive white wine drinker into the world of the drier red.

Wine gifts of course, don’t need to be limited to the wine itself. Pair your select red with a wine goblet or two specially meant for savouring your gift. . You can even go “stemless” as holding the wine bowl directly does not affect a red wine that is served right below room temperature. The key is a large bowl to inhale the lovely “nose”, and a thin glass so nothing gets between the wine and the taste.

A note on buying by label design: Why not? There are really very few “bad reds” out there. Distributors want wines that keep people coming back, so they are not likely to sell wines to the store based on the label alone. If you know you recipient would the label artwork, it makes a great memento of your consumable gift.

And finally, price. Most wines in the inexpensive category of $10-$20.00 are equal to those of much higher price. Many wine sellers have ratings posted from popular food and wine magazines and there many good reds in that range. Like any gift your good taste will be remembered, not the amount spent.

Red wine gifts can suit any occasion, complement any meal, and convey your thoughtfulness as few gifts can do.

Author Bio: Mithul Mistry is writing on behalf of Toxic Fox, a specialist in Red Wine Gifts.

Category: Opinions
Keywords: red wine gifts