What is a good wine?

Luckygirl13. Interested to know what you have decided to do, after all the comments? I’m sure you wouldn’t give someone wine unless you knew they drank it. It is a kind gesture, and it will be appreciated. As you live remotely, why not make contact with a local wine shop to ask for suggestions? 😊

Personal taste I guess, whatever one enjoys, doesn't have to be expensive. Go to an independent wine retailer for advice.

If you know nothing of wine, and you don't know their taste in wine, buy something else.

I find myself in a similar situation with groups who sometimes find it appropriate to give me a gift. I usually manage to drop a hint that I would NOT be insulted by cash in an envelope...

It is difficult to decide on a wine for someone else especially when you don’t drink it yourself. I love a Rioja but I’ve tasted some awful ones. When we were on holiday in Canada I asked in a restaurant for a red that was fruity and a bit sweeter and they suggested a Californian one. I had heard that they weren’t good wines so said oh no. So they brought me four glasses with a little bit in each and I picked one that to me was much nicer than the rest. I was gobsmacked when they told me it was a Californian wine! I’m hooked on the Barefoot wines now. They’re lovely but I’d be wary of giving them as 1. There IS a lot of snobbery around wines and 2. They have screwtops and that’s another thing that seems to be looked down on. But the more expensive doesn’t always mean the best! I bought a Chateauneuf-du-pape as my DH liked it. Not the cheapest but it was for having at Christmas dinner, and I didn’t like it so haven’t bought it again. If you’d rather give bottles, then I’d go for a middle of the road wine pricewise but in a pretty bottle. It’s the thought that counts and although a voucher means they get to pick, I think it’s nicer that a bit of thought has gone into a gift. Pol Roger champagne was mentioned earlier and if you want to spend that much then their champagnes are lovely. My daughter has bought those for me. She chooses a Demi sec as she knows I like a bit sweeter and they’re so nice but I’m really not normally a champagne fan. I think it’s highly overrated. Good luck though! 🥂🍾

Champagne would probably be very acceptable

I would also make sure that they actually drink alcohol.
I never gift wine anymore unless I know for 100% that they drink.

It’s all down to personal taste and preference, really, but you can get some very good Portuguese red wine nowadays, and New Zealand whites are generally very good (their Pinot reds are nice, too; quite light).
Do you have any way of finding their preferences from someone who knows the person?

does this person live with anyone? Might you be able to find out from someone in their family group what they enjoy the most and get that, or possibly if there is a particular wine shop in the locality, you might ask the wine merchant if the person usually chooses a specific wine. However whatever you do even if it is a totally different wine to their usual one , they have the pleasure of trying something new. a kind thought which ever you do.

Lots of wonderful suggestions - many thanks.

Both hubby & my favourites are the 19 Crimes Wines. They come in both red and white are reasonably priced at around £10 a bottle. The bottles actually look nice as well.

It really is down to taste, and budget. We are all different, Sauvignon blanc is my favourite white and I like a full bodied red. The Wolf blas ones are nice, Oyster bay too.
Decide on your budget and pick one with a nice label. I often do that in France. Have not chosen a duff one yet.
Aldi have a good selection of wines, often winning reviews from very reasonable to more expensive. Take your pick.
Its the thought that counts.

Moscato d'Asti is a lovely summer wine. We've just ordered some in for an early summer/late spring afternoon wedding party.

Can be served in flutes - always pretty.

I think a gift of wine is a nice idea , I like wine but I can be fussy . If I am given a bottle I don’t like then I keep it and serve it to visitors, I hate Sauvignon Blanc but many of my friends like to drink it and I appreciate the effort of buying a gift so it’s a win all round for me

Why not give a voucher from a wine house. May not be as presentable as two bottles but that way they can choose something they enjoy rather than risk wasting money on wines they may not enjoy.

As it’s not for a family member, and you don’t know what they like, definitely a wine voucher. I’d love to be given one!

Hilarybee

How about an English sparkling wine from Waitrose? I recommend Chapel Down or Nyetimber

I’d go with that - bit of a “novelty” value and while not cheap, often on offer at eg Waitrose.

Is it for a man or a woman?

Actually I’d agree with the suggestion of a voucher or gift card, either M&S or John Lewis.

I like Cote duRhone, a good Spanish Rioja, and I find Gros Plant goes well with fish. Also like a Malbec.

If you are looking for something reasonably priced and very drinkable, Wolf Blass Vineyards Release Shiraz is very good.

If they like reds, nice Chinon or Bourgueil from the Loire Valley would float my boat. I can’t comment on Whites as I don’t drink them.

For a white wine my choice would be a Sancerre and a red would be a Fleurie. I am partial to a Chateauneuf but it is very strong and not to everyone's taste.

Whatever tickles your fancy🤣

I love new Zealand sauvignon blanc, with gooseberry flavours

Valpolicella Ripasso - Italian red - £11-12