5 Ways to Gift Wine Like a Pro

5 ways that to Gift Wine sort of a professional, Lettie Teague, wine journalist at The Wall Street Journal, printed her 5 rules for gifting wine in her book Wine in Words. They’re therefore smart, we tend to couldn’t facilitate however share them.

It’s a active Saturday night, and there you are: within the middle of the wine store, eyes quickly roaming row once row of bottles whereas clad in party-wear and running behind. (There was traffic! The subway was late! we all know.) The clerk hovers over your shoulder expectantly—likely wordlessly deciding you—as you urgently grab for the neck of a nondescript bottle of red and sally out as a result of, really, what busy host cares anyways?

Well, the kind of wine you waken the table is a lot of noticeable than you think that. Lettie Teague, wine journalist at The Wall Street Journal and author of Wine in Words, says that whereas some wines can continually be a lot of appreciatively received than others, there square measure some tips to follow that may build the inevitable in-store scramble less daunting.

1. Bring a wine bottle, and replenish on party street credibility.

Present a wine bottle of wine at the door and you're instantly the lifetime of the party (tug it round the crowds and pour into empty glasses for else effect). capable 2 bottles, Teague says it's “a ton like four or 5 bottles rather than 2.” A wine bottle is usually either a good price get or a splurge—and either method you’re guaranteed to seem like you recognize what you're talking (drinking?) regarding.

2. Deciding between 2 bottles? select red over white.

Teague doesn’t believe that “red wine is inherently superior to white"—she drinks many each. "For some reason, the general public appear to believe red is that the a lot of subtle selection,” Teague writes in her book. whereas this could not be true, red is usually a secure option—unless you've got intel on the giftee’s preference for Sauvignon Blanc, or Chardonnay. Then, you'll need to stray to the lighter aspect.

3. You’ll ne'er fail with bubbly.

“Although vino is safer than white, Champagne is that the safest of all,” Teague writes. We’d agree that a bit bubbly goes a protracted way—it categories up on the subject of any occasion and your host can thanks for adding some additional pop to the night (or day!). Teague suggests craving for bottles from lesser-known producers which may not be accessible all over as hostile the massive names—but don’t limit yourself to French bubbles. there's no dearth of high-quality sparkling wines from alternative countries, as well as spirited Italian prosecco or some earthy Spanish cava.

4. Save that ultra-obscure bottle for friends.

Teague remembers transportation a bottle of “very smart Moscato d’Asti” to a bunch UN agency noticed solely that it had been a wine that wasn't Champagne. “He left it on the sideboard close to the front entrance, didn’t give thanks Maine for the bottle, and clearly didn’t think about it a present—it was simply too odd and too so much outside his expertise.” It’s in all probability best to save lots of the Blaufränkisch or Gragnano for confidants and avoid gifting a wine that’s too so much abroad.

5. Resist the wine gift set.

Gift sets square measure omnipresent in wine stores—a bottle would possibly escort a corkscrew, a try of glasses, or perhaps a picnic basket. “If something is else to boost the package, you'll be fairly sure the producer of the wine is hoping that you’ll overlook what’s truly within the bottle,” Teague warns. “No wine that's value drinking ever needs something additional.”
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