What That Bottle You Gave Says About You
Bringing a bottle of wine to a dinner party or gifting one is a frequent occurrence for most of us. But unless you’re in the wine business or an ardent wine consumer, you probably don’t really know what to buy. After all, there are literally thousands and thousands of options at every price point. This post will boost your confidence so that the next time the occasion arises, you’ll be able to tackle this social obligation with ease.
What Should You Spend on a Bottle of Wine?
The first thing you need to figure out is how much to spend. That number is linked to the occasion. An informal dinner party with a handful of friends probably doesn’t require an expensive bottle (I think of $50 and above as expensive). The good news is that you can get a really good bottle for $25. If you know what you’re doing.
Actually, even if you don’t, ask at any good wine store. And I don’t mean the kind of place that leads with every flavor of Yellow Tail. This point actually leads to my next point.
The Problem with Well-Known Wine Brands
By all means stay away from well-known brands. I say this not because high-production, recognizable wines are bad. The truth is that there really is no bad wine being made any longer and there really hasn’t been for years.
This is something I’ve written before but it always bears repeating. While essentially all wines are technically sound, that doesn’t make them interesting to drink. There are oceans of clean, generic whites and reds out there, and while I’m not suggesting that all of the big brands are least common denominator in style, there is a sameness that you simply don’t find when production is less prolific.
A Familiar Bottle Isn’t Always a Thoughtful One
Take Veuve Clicqout for example. It is probably the most recognizable Champagne produced. It is also the bottle I see most often in the fridges of friends. Not because they themselves bought them. They are almost always gifted. The so-called Yellow Label—which is actually orange—is ubiquitous.
There’s nothing bad about Clicquot. In fact, I always like the vintage versions. There really is no bad Champagne. Champagne, despite its huge production numbers (about 300,000,000 bottles a year!), is the highest-quality wine-production area in the world from top to bottom. Again, while the Yellow Label is fine, and I’m happy to drink it if I’m not paying, it doesn’t really have any personality.
What to Buy Instead: Look for Grower Champagne
At about $50 a bottle, if you gift one, you are certainly generous. That said, you’re also lazy. No offense. Grabbing that bottle is just too easy, and while I’m certain whomever you handed it to was grateful, you would do way better spending that same sum on a grower Champagne.
This category emerged in the last 25 years or so. Essentially, growers use only their own grapes to make their wines. The Clicquots, Moëts and the other large houses primarily buy most of theirs. There’s nothing wrong with that as it has been the way the business of Champagne has been done for more than a hundred years.
I admit that I don’t love all the grower Champagnes. That said, they all do have distinct personalities and there’s a great deal to be said for that. Next time the opportunity presents, grab a grower instead.
This Rule Applies to More Than Just Champagne
This strategy applies to any other flavor of wine you’re looking for. If your dinner party seems in need of a light-bodied white and you know your host likes Pinot Grigio, please stay away from the Santa Margherita. I know this is judgmental, but I liken that PG to lemon water. I’d say the same about Cloudy Bay Sauvignon Blanc. Take that money, ask for an under-the-radar producer so you can offer something that actually has more going for it than a well-known name.
Don’t worry that your recipient will think you’re cheap because they don’t recognize the name. I’m sure they’ll use an app to identify it and they’ll know that you spent the same but actually put a little thought into it. And isn’t that why we give gifts?