No matter who you are thinking of giving a bottle of wine to as a gift (except a lover, which we will cover in a separate post) ALWAYS follow the $10 rule. First off, it is best to find out what they like to drink from a mutual friend, their significant other or a colleague. Once you have an idea of what they like to drink, decide what price point you are comfortable spending on this person …then add $10! It’s that simple. For instance, if it is a co-worker’s birthday and you only want to spend $10 to begin with, turning it into $20 will allow for a much larger range of wines to choose from. That little bit extra can also mean a much better wine. This will ultimately end up in a much nicer gift and it only costs you a measly ten bucks. This really works at any price point below $60. So don’t be a cheap wad. Pony up a little extra for a much better gift!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Matthew Conway is the creator of UnderRipe a wine focused website geared towards the under ripe millennial generation. He serves as General Manager/Sommelier at Restaurant Marc Forgione. A 2004 graduate of the American Sommelier Association in both viticulture and vinification and blind tasting, Conway started his sommelier career working for legendary Chef Gray Kunz at Café Gray in the Time Warner Center. He worked with Chef Kunz for over three years working his way to beverage director and eventually opening his second restaurant Grayz in the Rockefeller Townhouse. Conway met Chef Marc Forgione in the winter of 2008 and was hired to collaborate on the opening of his first restaurant FORGE, now called Restaurant Marc Forgione. Over four years he has served as general manager and sommelier working alongside Chef Forgione. In the summer of 2010 Chef Forgione granted Conway a three month leave of absence to train at the world famous restaurant Taillevent in Paris. Conway is also a writer currently on the editorial advisory board for Boulder, Colorado-based Sommelier Journal.Sommelier Journal.
Jeez… how pretentious can you be???
Do you do the same at the restaurant? Someone asks for a recommendation for $50 bottle of wine and you recommend a $100 bottle? How does that work out for you???
I was happy to see this. I need to buy a bottle for a gift. The person has helped me with something, but I don’t know her well. I am glad to get some help with this. One more question…. Do woman usually prefer red or white?