What Does the Bottle You Bring Say About You?

You’re going to a friend’s house and bringing a bottle of wine. What you choose may say almost as much about you as it does about them.
Did you grab the first familiar label you recognized? You’re a creature of comfort.
Did you choose the most expensive bottle on the shelf? Maybe you’re trying a little too hard.
Did you grab the cheapest bottle because you think they all taste pretty much the same? Maybe you’re cozy with your dollar.
Did you bring your favorite wine without giving a thought to what your friend actually likes? Well…at least you know you’ll enjoy it.
But what if you actually want to impress them?
Here’s the secret: It’s not about how much you spend. It’s about how well you choose.
These are the questions I ask when helping someone choose wine for a friend:
What do they like to drink?
Red or white is a start. Cabernet? Pinot Noir? Chardonnay? Sauvignon Blanc? California? Italian?
You’d be surprised how often someone says, “I know what she drinks, but I can’t remember what it’s called.”
Okay. What did the bottle look like?
Tall and skinny? Shorter with sloping shoulders? Big heavy bottle? Do you remember anything about the label?
Bottle shape can actually tell me quite a bit. Certain wines and regions tend to use certain shaped bottles.
Next: How much do you want to spend?
And this is where there’s another decision to make. If your budget is $50, does that mean one $50 bottle or two $25 bottles?
If your friend is a real wine lover, I’d probably put the money into one better bottle. Someone who appreciates wine will usually appreciate getting a bottle that’s a little more special than what they might normally buy for themselves.
But if your friend is just learning about wine, I might do the opposite. Two or three less expensive bottles can be much more fun. Pick different grapes or different regions and give them a chance to taste and figure out what they like.
Same budget. Completely different gift.
Are they serving dinner?
If you know what they’re making, tell me. Steak? Fish? Pasta? Sushi? Spicy food? Now we have another really good clue. I love pairing wine and food from the same region. They just naturally go together.
And finally, how adventurous are they?
This matters too!
Some people have been drinking the same Cabernet for 15 years and see absolutely no reason to change. Cabernet is great. I love it too!
Others love it when I hand them a bottle they’ve never heard of. Maybe a Nero d’Avola, Negroamaro or Gamay. Half the fun for them is trying something new.
And if all else fails, bring something you like to drink. That way you know at least one of you is going to have a good time.