Decent Bottle of Red....

[matc]

Looking to buy someone a nice bottle of red wine as a gift for Christmas; looking to spend up to £100.

The recipient has a very nice wine collection in his purpose built cellar, so obviously knows wine! However I’m hoping to give him something decent to enjoy over Christmas!

I’m not really a red wine drinker! Thanks for any suggestions!

[Wombat3]

matc said:

Looking to buy someone a nice bottle of red wine as a gift for Christmas; looking to spend up to £100.

The recipient has a very nice wine collection in his purpose built cellar, so obviously knows wine! However I’m hoping to give him something decent to enjoy over Christmas!

I’m not really a red wine drinker! Thanks for any suggestions!

As someone with a relative who also have a lot of the (very good) stuff, I never buy it for him because it'll just be another bottle in a collection.

I'd say find something else to buy. Seriously.

Its also a minefield. There are lesser known wines from really good years that will be far better than well known stuff from mediocre years. There are wines made across the road from famous/well known stuff that are at least as good and far cheaper i.e. much better value.

If you do want to buy him a bottle then I'd try & find out of he drinks Port, Brandy or Madeira (or indeed something like Malt Whiskey) & go there instead. He's also likely to have less of it. ANother possibility would be a dessert wine, something like an Auschleser or a Sauternes - again, a bit more unusual.

[craigjm]

Agree with Wombat but if you want a suggestion for a red....

2016 Porseleinberg Syrah from South Africa made by Callie Louw available from waitrose wine cellar amongst others for about £60

[Doofus]

matc said:

Looking to buy someone a nice bottle of red wine as a gift for Christmas; looking to spend up to £100.

The recipient has a very nice wine collection in his purpose built cellar, so obviously knows wine! However I’m hoping to give him something decent to enjoy over Christmas!

I’m not really a red wine drinker! Thanks for any suggestions!

If he knows about wine and you don't, then buy a personalised Monoploy game or a footbath. Don't try to impress him by buying wine.

[thebraketester]

You could spend £100 on a bottle of wine and accidentally buy a wine type that he hates. So unless you can get some more info about what he likes to drink then as above, best avoid.

[matc]

Thanks all - good advice! I’ll have to re-think; I know he drinks gin so will have a look for something decent there.

I’m not really a drinker, so it’s always difficult buying for others.

If not I’ll go with the foot spa!

[PositronicRay]

matc said:

Thanks all - good advice! I’ll have to re-think; I know he drinks gin so will have a look for something decent there.

I’m not really a drinker, so it’s always difficult buying for others.

If not I’ll go with the foot spa!

Gins are another whole minefield, afaics mostly about the bottle shapes, labels and mixers.

[CS Garth]

Clearly not the same but a gift voucher for Berry Bros may be a compromise.

They also do some other items/baccanalian trinketry like aprons etc which might be worth a look

Edited by CS Garth on Wednesday 16th December 10:23

[sgtBerbatov]

Sainsbury's sell their "House" Pinot Noir, and it's the nicest I've ever had. Costs about £5 a bottle, so you could get him 20 bottles of it?

[Lotobear]

You can't go wrong with a nice 10 year+ Amarone

[craigjm]

sgtBerbatov said:

Sainsbury's sell their "House" Pinot Noir, and it's the nicest I've ever had. Costs about £5 a bottle, so you could get him 20 bottles of it?

A £5 retail bottle of wine is about 30p to the wine producer which is why in general it is absolute swill especially if it comes from a supermarket label

[Unknown_User]

Some good advise above.

Maybe go for something a bit different that he wouldn't necessarily go for. I've been enjoying some very nice English sparkling wines recently. I have enjoyed wines from Langham Wine Estate and Bride Valley recently. Langhams Blanc de blancs is quite enjoyable if you can pick some up. Nyetimber do some very good bottles and I'd look at Tillington single vineyard. Renegade London Sparkling from Suffolk would be a good shout.

Is there a good local producer near to where your friend lives? If so, that might add a bit of extra interest.

Let us know what you end up getting.

[ChevronB19]

Because I’m a stingy git, I’m looking for either a fantastic bottle of red for £20, or two really good ones at £10 each for my ex brother in law.

No wine merchants nearby, just Sainsbury’s, Morrison’s and Booths. Any tips?

[matc]

Thanks all for the feedback - gin is indeed a minefield; did have a look at Whiskey, but not 100% sure he’s a whiskey drinker!

I went with a Graham’s 30yr Old Tawny Port in the end! Thought it’s a good Christmas drink and shouldn’t divide too much opinion!

[Doofus]

ChevronB19 said:

Because I’m a stingy git, I’m looking for either a fantastic bottle of red for £20, or two really good ones at £10 each for my ex brother in law.

No wine merchants nearby, just Sainsbury’s, Morrison’s and Booths. Any tips?

I'm not sure you understand the meaning of the word 'stingy'.

[Hugo Stiglitz]

craigjm said:

Agree with Wombat but if you want a suggestion for a red....

2016 Porseleinberg Syrah from South Africa made by Callie Louw available from waitrose wine cellar amongst others for about £60

I'd love to try that

[craigjm]

ChevronB19 said:

Because I’m a stingy git, I’m looking for either a fantastic bottle of red for £20, or two really good ones at £10 each for my ex brother in law.

No wine merchants nearby, just Sainsbury’s, Morrison’s and Booths. Any tips?

Italian 2015 Nippozzano Chianti Reserva from Morrisons about £18
French Paul Jaboulet Hermitage from Sainsburys about £20