Decent red wine up to £100-ish
Discussion
It's my friends 50th in a few weeks, and although I'd rather buy him a decent bottle of whisky - he's not really a big whisky fan.
So instead, I'd like to get a quality bottle of red wine. I'm afraid I don't know his particular wine tastes in detail, but I think something fairly smooth but with a bit of weight would work.
Happy to spend up to a £100 or so.
Any ideas?
So instead, I'd like to get a quality bottle of red wine. I'm afraid I don't know his particular wine tastes in detail, but I think something fairly smooth but with a bit of weight would work.
Happy to spend up to a £100 or so.
Any ideas?
My recommendation would be a 1986 Chateau Beychevelle - can be had for under £100 now. Last time I drank it however was about 6 years ago so it's possible it's passed its best now hence declining price.
Otherwise, maybe check http://www.vintagewineandport.co.uk/ for something from his birth year? I believe '66 was a good year for Bordeaux.
Otherwise, maybe check http://www.vintagewineandport.co.uk/ for something from his birth year? I believe '66 was a good year for Bordeaux.
battered said:
Unless he's a wine connoisseur, buy a case, not a bottle. Unless you know what you are looking for and how to taste expensive wines, it will be a waste.
A mixed case of interesting wines, none of them crap, and all at around £8-10 a bottle, will be much better.
Thats what I was going to say, go into a good wine place and get a mixed half dozen.A mixed case of interesting wines, none of them crap, and all at around £8-10 a bottle, will be much better.
A bottle of port would be a superb present as a single bottle, as 1966 was a declared vintage year for Port, it's a good time to be drinking it too if he so wished.
Might be hard pushed to get one for under £100 though. I'd guess £130-150 a bottle nowadays depending what you buy. (eg Bottle of 1966 Taylor's at Palmer's - http://www.palmerswinestore.com/details.asp?wid=19... - in Bridport for £130 would be a solid buy).
Might be hard pushed to get one for under £100 though. I'd guess £130-150 a bottle nowadays depending what you buy. (eg Bottle of 1966 Taylor's at Palmer's - http://www.palmerswinestore.com/details.asp?wid=19... - in Bridport for £130 would be a solid buy).
battered said:
Unless he's a wine connoisseur, buy a case, not a bottle. Unless you know what you are looking for and how to taste expensive wines, it will be a waste.
A mixed case of interesting wines, none of them crap, and all at around £8-10 a bottle, will be much better.
In the past, we've tried the odd bottle at about the price I've suggested (but I can't remember what) so I think he would appreciate a quality bottle far more than a case. The wine he would normally drink at home would be in the £10 region, and his drinks cabinet is extensive enough that I'm sure he already has a case worth, so a case of stuff that is around the budget he already drinks isn't very special.A mixed case of interesting wines, none of them crap, and all at around £8-10 a bottle, will be much better.
prand said:
A bottle of port would be a superb present as a single bottle, as 1966 was a declared vintage year for Port, it's a good time to be drinking it too if he so wished.
Might be hard pushed to get one for under £100 though. I'd guess £130-150 a bottle nowadays depending what you buy. (eg Bottle of 1966 Taylor's at Palmer's - http://www.palmerswinestore.com/details.asp?wid=19... - in Bridport for £130 would be a solid buy).
Now that's a good idea. He does like a glass of port.Might be hard pushed to get one for under £100 though. I'd guess £130-150 a bottle nowadays depending what you buy. (eg Bottle of 1966 Taylor's at Palmer's - http://www.palmerswinestore.com/details.asp?wid=19... - in Bridport for £130 would be a solid buy).
Just a thought and this might get shot down in flames on here but what about a bottle of red for £60-70 and maybe 40-50 on a really nice decanter. If you live near the west midlands you can get them from the glass companies direct saving 50-70% on similar ones you see online.
That way he has something to remember the gift by long after the bottle has been consumed.
That way he has something to remember the gift by long after the bottle has been consumed.
Thanks for the suggestions - I decided to go with the port suggestion and just ordered a bottle.
I must confess, I did briefly have second thoughts - I have had a rather unfortunate weekend regarding one of my cars, so it's going to be an expensive month. But I figure you're only 50 once.
I must confess, I did briefly have second thoughts - I have had a rather unfortunate weekend regarding one of my cars, so it's going to be an expensive month. But I figure you're only 50 once.
sidicks said:
Blown2CV said:
Amarone
When it is right it's gorgeous.
A Masi was a favourite for Christmas dinner, one year at £30 a pop, and two full fillets of beef also at £30 a pop. With a platter full of Yorkshire pudding too it went very wrong.
Opened both bottles of wine after the presents, and left them to breath. Took a swig six hours later, like you do during the cooking and thought URRRGH. So threw it in to the gravy.
The gravy was poured down the toilet as was the Amerone.
TheExcession said:
sidicks said:
Blown2CV said:
Amarone
When it is right it's gorgeous.
A Masi was a favourite for Christmas dinner, one year at £30 a pop, and two full fillets of beef also at £30 a pop. With a platter full of Yorkshire pudding too it went very wrong.
Opened both bottles of wine after the presents, and left them to breath. Took a swig six hours later, like you do during the cooking and thought URRRGH. So threw it in to the gravy.
The gravy was poured down the toilet as was the Amerone.
TheExcession said:
sidicks said:
Blown2CV said:
Amarone
When it is right it's gorgeous.
A Masi was a favourite for Christmas dinner, one year at £30 a pop, and two full fillets of beef also at £30 a pop. With a platter full of Yorkshire pudding too it went very wrong.
Opened both bottles of wine after the presents, and left them to breath. Took a swig six hours later, like you do during the cooking and thought URRRGH. So threw it in to the gravy.
The gravy was poured down the toilet as was the Amerone.
As for the original question, I'd suggest Barolo and Montalcino as well as Amarone, a good bottle perhaps with some scope to keep a few years to age should be easily within budget.
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