On Giving Wine as a Gift

Image via WikipediaRecently, I was asked to recommend a wine for about $50 dollars that was to be given as a gift.  This request caught me off guard for two reasons: 1) I don't typically spend that much on wine and 2) I try a lot of different wines and don't have many go to bottles.  I did make a couple of suggestions based on wine I have tried and then gave some general guidelines for gifting that I would like to share here.

First let me say, I have three favourite regions for wine because these are the regions I have been exposed to the most.  I like the grapes, styles and characters of these regions and have not had a wine I didn't appreciate at some level.  If you are looking for a wine to give and you have a price range in mind talk to your local liquor store expert and ask for a Burgundy (if giving red, and Chablis are great for Chardonnay lovers) or Loire (if giving white) and Beamsville Bench (if you are giving something from Ontario).  I truly believe you can not go wrong with any of the wines from these regions and each has a wide price range from $10 to $100.

Burgundy and Loire speak for themselves and I would doubt too many people would take me to task on those.  But, you may not be too familiar with Beamsville Bench sub-appellation of the Niagara wine region.  I think this will change and you will soon be hearing a lot about this hidden gem.  With wineries like 30 Bench, Organized Crime and Fielding Estates, this area is poised to take off and become the "bench" mark (hehe get it?) for Ontario wines.  Just my opinion.