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Wine is among the most popular holiday gifts. “Wine is a celebration and that’s what people want to give,” says Steve Lynn, owner of Water to Wine shop in Gig Harbor.
One aspect that does make wine giving challenging, is knowing the recipient’s taste. Not only does it help to know the person, but it also helps to know a little bit about wines. But don’t give up on the idea if you’re not a wine connoisseur — local wine shop owners say all you have to do is come into their shop, and they’ll help you do the rest.
Dennis Lei, who owns Puget Sound Wine Cellar in downtown Port Orchard, says wine makes a great gift because most people like to drink wine. “People’s palate is all over the board, so some customers buy a specific wine to broaden the recipient’s horizon,” he says. “In many cases, people don’t buy something different or new for themselves.”
Lei recommends not buying based on price — an expensive wine is not a guarantee of a hit, and an inexpensive wine doesn’t mean the recipient will not enjoy it. “Some $10-$14 wines are equal to wines that cost $30 to $40,” he says. “Often times people like the $15 wines more than the expensive ones because you really need to have the palate for the expensive ones.”
One consideration is how the wine may be consumed. For example, European wines are often made to accompany food, so local wines are better for “just drinking” occasions. Northwest wines are among the most popular selections not only for that reason, but also because many people like to support local businesses.
According to Lei, whether a person is a beginner or a seasoned wine drinker will also impact the choice. “We have wines with training wheels — some inexpensive, nice flavors that are sweeter, more of the beginner wines,” he says. On the opposite side of the spectrum, an idea for a “wine veteran” is a wine that may be harder to find, or more obscure.
“If you’re trying to impress a wine geek, you don’t want to give them something they’ve tried before or drink all the time,” he says.
Tom Pelland, owner of That’s A Some Wine Shop in Poulsbo, says some large-format bottles and collector items make attractive gifts. Another popular choice is a gift certificate. “That’s a good way to do it because (the recipients) can come to the shop and someone can help them hand-pick what they like,” he says.
Lynn concurs that gift certificates are popular, and says a gift certificate to a good wine shop is not impersonal: People shop for wine like they shop for books, and it’s an enjoyable experience. “The gift card gives them a lot of options,” he says.
Among the popular selections are dessert wines like ports and champagnes. Lynn says it certainly helps to know the recipient’s preferences, but a gift of champagne is almost always on target. “People feel more comfortable with champagne because with wine, they don’t know if they should use pinot noir, or cabernet, or merlot,” he says. “Nothing makes people smile more than a glass of champagne.”
As for presentation — the possibilities are as different as the wines themselves. You can simply use a gift bag, or take the wine to your favorite chocolate or cheese store, and turn the bottle into the centerpiece for a nice basket, and — cheers!
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