When someone has invited you to a dinner party, whether for social or business reasons, it is customary and thoughtful to bring a small host or hostess gift as a token of your appreciation. A nice bottle of wine makes the perfect gift for your host or hostess on almost any occasion. By putting a little forethought into your purchase of a gift bottle of wine, you can show your host or hostess how much you appreciate the thoughtful gesture of being invited into his or her home. The perfect gift bottle of wine will also speak volumes about you as a person. Choose a gift bottle of wine with care, and your selection will reflect that you are a gracious, considerate and sophisticated guest.
If you want to be the hit of the dinner party and, at the same time, ensure your spot on the next guest list, follow these ten suggestions when choosing a bottle of wine as a host or hostess gift:
1. Remember, traditionally, a bottle of wine presented to a host or hostess by a guest is a gift. Although he or she may choose to do so, the host or hostess is not obligated or even expected to serve the wine with that evening’s meal. Keeping in mind that the host or hostess may or may not choose to serve your gift bottle of wine that evening, and assuming that you know what will be served, you may still wish to select a wine that could pair well with the meal. If you do decide to choose a bottle of wine that might accompany the meal being served, the general guidelines call for red wine with red meat or pasta and white wine or perhaps sparkling wine with seafood or poultry. Remember, however, that how the food is being prepared and seasoned is an even more important consideration. For example, if a pasta dish is being served, red or heavier sauces typically pair well with red wines, while white or lighter sauces generally pair well with white or sparkling wines. Chicken is another good example. While a white wine, such as a Chardonnay or Chenin Blanc, pairs well with most chicken dishes; a spicy red Chianti may be a better choice for barbecued or outdoor-grilled chicken.
2. To narrow your search, first decide on your price range. Generally speaking, a gift bottle of wine should cost upwards of ten dollars ($10). Beyond that, it should be neither too inexpensive nor too pricey. If it is too inexpensive, you run the risk of looking inconsiderate. If it is too pricey, you may come off as pretentious or embarrass your host or hostess, who may have selected a less expensive wine to serve for the evening. Consider also the nature of the gathering. For example, in the United States, any gift given to a government employee in a business setting, including wine, may not exceed twenty-five dollars ($25) in value.
3. Once you have decided on a price point, and assuming that meal accompaniment is not a consideration, decide whether you will bring red, white or sparkling wine as a gift. As a general rule of thumb, choose red in winter, white in summer or sparkling wine for a special or festive occasion. You can then narrow your search even further by choosing wine from a particular “appellation” (region), a specific “varietal” (type of grape), or perhaps, a certain “vintner” (winery or winemaker). Once you have narrowed the field, pick up a good food and wine magazine that rates wines broken down by both category and price range. Read about some of the current raves or classic favorites in your particular category. Also, consider visiting a vineyard or a wine warehouse and asking the “sommelier” (wine steward) for guidance in making your selection.
4. It is always fun to select a wine that is not available at the neighborhood grocery or liquor store. Consider choosing a foreign wine, or even a wine from another state. There are a number of states that have thriving wine industries but are not particularly well-known for their vineyards. For example, although it is not yet common knowledge outside of the state, Texas is fast becoming a top wine producer. Also, consider the bottle’s aesthetic appeal. A particularly attractive or unusual bottle or label design can take your gift bottle of wine outside the realm of the ordinary.
5. The most important consideration that should go into the selection of a gift bottle of wine is the host or hostess. For example, is your host or hostess a wine enthusiast? If so, he or she may have a favorite varietal or vintner, making your task much easier. If you and your host or hostess share an enthusiasm for wine, then he or she may enjoy receiving a bottle of one of your own favorites or a treasured bottle from your private collection. If the host or hostess is not someone you know well, it might also be wise to consider whether he or she may be a non-drinker.
6. Depending on the circumstances of the gathering, there may be cultural considerations as well. For example, a gift of wine would be unthinkable in the Muslim culture, as alcohol is forbidden by the Koran. In the Jewish culture, even wine consumed on social occasions must be kosher. It can be considered impolite or even insulting to give a gift of wine to someone who resides in a wine-producing region. For example, you might not want to give a ten dollar ($10) bottle of your favorite California Chardonnay to someone who lives in the Bordeaux region of France. And, if your host or hostess is a business associate, bear in mind that, in some countries, such as Malaysia or Paraguay, giving a gift prior to the conclusion of a business transaction is considered taboo because of concerns about bribery and corruption.
7. Presentation can take your gift of wine up to the next level. You may wish to present your gift bottle of wine in a variety of ways, ranging from tissue-paper wrapping tied with a ribbon, to a simple but festive wine bag, to a handcrafted wine box. Another popular way of presenting wine is in a gift basket, which may contain cheese or fruit in addition to the bottle of wine. If you are presenting the wine as part of a gift basket, consider a chocolate-dipped bottle of wine! For the wine connoisseur, consider presenting your gift bottle in a wine bucket, a three-bottle carry rack or a faux or genuine leather six-bottle countertop wine rack.
8. Whatever the occasion, wine always requires a great pairing. With that in mind, consider dressing up your gift bottle of wine with a wine accessory. Here, the only limit is your imagination. Consider a decorative wine stopper, a decanter, a unique corkscrew, a set of wine glasses, a wine chiller, a wine breather, a wine thermometer, a cradle, a drip stopper or a bottle collar. How about an aerating wine funnel that “breathes” the bottle in an instant? For the true connoisseur who dabbles in very rare or expensive wines, consider a combination lock bottle stop. This device affixes to the top of an opened bottle of wine, acting as a stop, but requires entry of a three-number combination to open the bottle.
9. If the host or hostess is someone you know well, consider a more fun or unusual wine gift. For example, in dinner party settings, a fun gift is a set of wine “finders” or charms. Each charm in a set has a different design. The charms are clipped to each individual party-goer’s wine glass so that guests can tell their glasses apart throughout the evening. Another fun gift for the right dinner party setting is a wine tasting game. Guests can learn the secrets of wine tasting in a fun, social venue.
10. Finally, again, keep in mind that, when you present a bottle of wine as a host or hostess gift, it is just that . . . a gift. It is intended as a way of showing your appreciation to your host or hostess for inviting you into his or her home. Remember that the host or hostess is not obligated to serve the bottle with that evening’s meal and, in fact, may have selected a specific vintage to pair with the meal. With that in mind, do not chill the wine before presenting it to the host or hostess. It is considered good etiquette as a guest to let your host or hostess know when presenting the bottle that the wine is a gift and that he or she does not need to serve it with that evening’s meal. If your host or hostess does express a desire to serve the bottle that evening, you may suggest that white or sparkling wine be chilled in the refrigerator for thirty (30) minutes or in the freezer for ten (10) minutes before serving.
