Also, consider who you’re buying the wine for. Buying a very cheap bottle of wine for your boss won’t endear you to them. Similarly, you may not want to buy the cheapest bottle you can find for a close friend (unless you have a habit of drinking cheap wine together). In addition, if you’re known as someone who appreciates wine, buying a cheap bottle for someone else can come off as you underestimating their taste or simply not appreciating them as much. [2] X Research source Also, how much you spend can depend on the wine. For instance, you can get a very tasty Cotes du Rhône (pronounce it “Coats Do Roan”) for about $15. However, with a Burgundy, you’ll need to spend more to get a better wine, usually upwards of $50. Another relatively cheap option is a Cabernet Sauvignon, as even cheap versions of this wine are fairly decent. For Pinot noir, go for at least a $20 bottle, as anything less won’t be very good. [3] X Research source
White wines like Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, and Riesling are good summer choices. Rose and Merlot are also a good bet. These wines are a bit lighter. For fall, you want fuller bodied whites, such as oaked Chardonnay or Viognier. You still want a somewhat lighter red wine, so stick with Pinot noir, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, or a sparkling variety. During the winter, you can go with heavier wines since you’ll have heavier dishes. Cabernet Sauvignon, Bordeaux blend, Syrah, Zinfandel, and Malbec are fine in the reds. For whites, choose oaked Chardonnay. You can also go for a sparkly wine. In the spring, you want lighter, fruitier wines, such as Chenin Blanc, Pinot Grigio, Unoaked Chardonnay, or Rose. You can also choose Riesling, Moscato, or Pinot noir.
If you’re not sure what the person drinks, consider their general tastes. If they have a sweet tooth, they might prefer a sweeter wine, while if they like to avoid sugar for the most part, they may prefer something drier. If you’re still not sure, ask someone at the store to recommend a reasonably priced popular wine.
Some just send a curated selection, while others base the delivery on the person’s preferences. Some also include food with the subscription that pairs with the wine. Check to make sure wine can be delivered in the state where the person resides, as some states don’t allow alcohol to be shipped to people’s homes.
When choosing a wine for a party, sparkling is usually a good option. If you insist on bringing a standard bottle of wine to a party, give it to the hosts before the party, and let them decide whether they want to serve it at the party or not.
Ask the hosts ahead of time what they will be serving. Then you can get a wine that matches the dinner, such as a white wine for fish. If you’re not sure what goes with what type of food, ask at the store.
In addition, putting wine in boxes can heat them, which can be a problem for more expensive wines. It’s much better to try to keep the wine cool. If it’s a particularly expensive wine that should be kept in a cellar, consider holding it in a cooler until you give it to your friend.
