Do your research when buying for wine lovers

A well-chosen red, white or sparkling wine will be a welcome gift to the connoisseur

When it comes to shopping for gifts for the wine lovers on your list, stick to the obvious. It might seem predictable, but a bottle of wine is always a safe bet. A well-chosen wine is a most practical present and, speaking as a grape nut, more enjoyable to receive than a tie festooned with grapes or cartoon bottles or another set of novelty cocktail napkins. It also beats any of the latest wine gadgets that aerate wine, extract corks or tells you the wine’s temperature. Of course, it’s the thought that counts. And one should be eternally grateful about receiving such tokens of affection and esteem. But a gift you’ll never use too often comes burdened with guilt, rather than inspiring feelings of gratitude and pleasure. During a recent winemaker’s luncheon, talk around the table turned to gift giving. None of the assembled media or educators could recall receiving a bottle of wine. “No one ever gives me wine. I love wine, I love to receive it as a gift,” explained Angela Aiello, founder of the iYellow Wine Club, who posts on social media under the guise of SuperWineGirl. “Maybe they think I have too much wine, but that’s never the case.” If you are shopping for a wine lover, consider the clear choice this year. If you know they prefer white or red or sparkling, let that be your guide. If they prefer wines from a particular country or region, look at what’s available and select something that looks appealing. Product consultants at the store or write-ups online can help you make an educated selection. You’re not likely to go too far wrong. If you’re set against the idea of gifting a bottle of wine and are at a loss for ideas, set your focus on wine glasses. Wine glasses break, they often need replacing. Anything unadorned, made from clear glass or crystal, with a thin lip, is useful and welcome in any wine lover’s home.