I just got an email from a young woman who questioned an appropriate wine gift to take to a gathering. The woman doesn’t know what the host couple likes to drink on a regular basis so she believes she’s in a dilemma. She wants to impress the couple and she doesn’t want to spend exorbitant amounts money. Wine With Toni understands her dilemma. This young woman, however came to the right place.
First of all “Gifting” wine doesn’t have to be complicated. When Gifting, a few simple rules will get you out of panic mode.
1. Plan to spend about twenty dollars, resist elevated pricing.
2. Use 10 to 15 of those dollars for the wine, the remainder for the packaging i.e. paper decorative gift bags, wine pens ( a pen that allows you to write directly on the bottle) or my favorite, decorative, BYOB wine bags ( these are bags that are reusable wine bags that people use when transporting wine to one’s favorite BYOB venue: restaurant, park, beach or a private picnic). In this instance you're giving 2 gifts, not just 1!
3. This will probably one of the few times I will endorse fancy bottle shapes, labels or something eye catching. Normally, I say go for the quality of the wine, not the bottle but in this instance, fancy and inexpensive may be a great idea. You are gifting, so stepping up the norm just because you like the Pinot Gris exotic bottle shape is okay. If the person receiving the gift happens to appreciate the type of wine contained in that bottle, they’ll probably drink it and remember you as they are pouring. If the recipient enjoys the look of bottle, they may never uncork it. Whether viewing it in their elaborate breakfront or sipping they’ll appreciate and/or think of you.
4. If you want to bring something you want someone(s) to enjoy another time, drop a bug in their ear to let them know this is special and select a different type of beverage. I suggest Pour Moi, a cognac specifically designed for the palate of women. Something different amounts to a bottle that is special to be shared with someone special or on a special occasion that one may or may not share. [I] enjoy introducing a bottle people are unfamiliar with such as a delightful dessert wine Delpech~Fougerat Pineau Des Charentes, a French Dessert white that is fruit forward, delightful, well balanced and fabulous for sipping, a great aperitif or marvelous finish to Tappas or a full meal.
5. Finally have fun and negate stress. The thought really counts above all. Unless you know for sure what the recipient drinks on a regular basis, take this time to have fun with the gift and give in the spirit of giving, what one does with the gift after you give it, is not your concern….Cheers!
