I'm thinking of bringing a bottle of wine for my hosts at a Christmas dinner, but I have nooooo clue on how to pick them out. These people are experienced wine drinkers. Really desperate for help.
2006-12-19 18:54:00 · 7 answers · asked by LexMc 3 in Food & Drink ➔ Beer, Wine & Spirits
When you take a gift of wine to a dinner party, it is a gift to the host....not an obligation to serve it with the meal they have already planned, so don't worry too much about matching to the menu of the event.
An interesting wine is probably your best choice. Francis Ford Coppola has a winery that produces moderately priced wines that are quite tasty...and make lovely gifts because of their conversational qualities. With the holidays at hand, a nice sparkling wine is also a lovely gift. I recently tasted a yummy blended red, Blue Jean, from California that is very pleasing as a sipping wine and comes in an interesting bottle.
The proprietor of your local wine store wants to help you. They love to talk about and educate others about wines. Go tell them your budget and your needs and ask for a little help in selecting an interesting wine. It is not necessary to "break the bank" to take a gift of wine...in fact...it is usually best not to, unless you know a specific expensive wine the recipient desires. Most wine drinkers love the opportunty to sample something new...so your retailer's assistance with an interesting wine will be perfect!!!
And, may I say what a lovely gesture as a guest to be so thoughtful about a wine selection for your host!!!
2006-12-19 19:55:21 · answer #1 · answered by onenonblonde 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You don't say where you're from, but if there's a local wine industry get that. Go to a wine boutique, most malls have them and ask the staff.. In the U.S. there are great California and New York wines. In Canada, Niagra or Okanogan. A white is your safest bet, they're almost all acceptable. Maybe try a dessert wine like icewine, that's festive and even the non-wine drinkers will like a taste. Merry Christmas.
2006-12-20 03:03:20 · answer #2 · answered by Crash 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
BAAAAAAH. Don't go with Icewine... it's a restricted traditional from germany and (being such) is much better in germany than the overpriced "pee-water" that they pass off as icewine here. Did I mention that it's going to be overpriced here?
Really, your best choice is going to depend on what is being served. After dinner (dessert) wines are generally a safe bet because, hey, even if dessert isn't served the wine can be drank after dinner. For a dessert wine I would personally go with a late harvest riesling or a good muscato if you can find it (get muscato imported, everything made here in the muscato category is bunk).
As to dinner wines: a dry riesling could be nice. I've also found that chianti is a good versatile wine that can even go with poultry or heavier fish in a pinch. Chianti Ruffino is my favorite (and an import too!!!) although I haven't yet had the chance to try their reserve ducale (their top notch, supposedly).
2006-12-20 17:14:11 · answer #3 · answered by promethius9594 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I completely agree with muffinman. Go with the Icewine if you can find it. Probably any specialty liquor/wine shop will have it. Icewine is so good it doesn't matter what your eating or who's there. Anyone can drink it and will enjoy it...unless you run into an anti-wine fanatic. Serve slightly lower than room temperature, or just leave in your car if your above the 45th parallel in most places. If you can't find it, go with a $15-$20 bottle of gewerstraminer (sp?) and that will please most casual wine drinkers.
2006-12-20 03:15:14 · answer #4 · answered by Frederick N 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I wish I new how much you were planning on spending and what they plan to have to eat. Now if it's just appetizers you could go with a red or white. The type of wine really depends on what is going to compliment it.
One piece of advice is right now Southeastern Australia is putting out really good reds and whites. They are also very inexpensive as well. Almost anything from Southeastern Australia would be a good pick.
2006-12-20 03:03:42 · answer #5 · answered by locowherto 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Any Red Wine is healthy for the Heart Cardiovascular System, the host would be really happy.
2006-12-20 04:05:04 · answer #6 · answered by kikaida42 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
its all hooch to me and after the second sip it all tastes the same to me. out of the 100000 bottles of goof in the stork you got to pick a good 1 they are all good this formula might help cheep price cheep wine. do you want wine thats sweet #5 dry # 1. white wine for turkey red for beef rosie for pork dry red 4 lamb to my taste the wine should be med dry to dry for dinner and sweet for desert. your local liquor store can help narrow it down
2006-12-20 08:12:34 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋