Giving the gift of wine
By Leslie-Ann Sheppard
My mother always told me, "when you're invited to someone's house for dinner, never show up empty handed." This has always stayed in my mind, and though occasionally I bring something I've created, I almost always present the host with a bottle of wine.

Now is the time of year when, more than ever, people get together over dinner or cocktails. Holiday parties, endof season parties and, let's not forget the actual holidays that encourage the exchanging of gifts. Wine is a great gift for a wide range of people. Whether the bottle will be opened that evening or put away in the recipient's collection, you can choose wine that fits your budget and that 'fits' the person receiving it.

How do you choose wine to give to others?

The most important rule is to focus on the recipient of the wine, and to keep it personal.

The easiest person to shop for is the host of a large party. You know that the wine will probably be opened that night, and consumed by many people. It's fine to choose wine that is not too serious. For this occasion, I like to select wine that will please many different palates. Smart choices are Prosecco, a non-vintage sparkling wine from Italy, or a red wine from Spain or Australia.

Spanish tempranillo is usually medium bodied, fruity and soft - a winner for parties. Likewise, Australian Shiraz is a crowd pleaser for those who favor a bit more - more fruit, more body, and more 'weight.' These wines don't need food because they are generally not high in acidity or tannin. They're perfect to present to the host of a party, and they're perfect for those on a budget.

Another easy-to-please target is the host who "likes all wine." My father, for example, never met a wine he didn't like, including the homemade juice my grandfather made back in the day. For Christmas, I like to give him a "nice" bottle, somewhere between $30 and $80. I know he prefers red, but after that, the door is open.

I usually shop for one of my own personal favorite wines. I can expect that he'll be interested in the story behind the wine, and I know that we'll all sit down at the kitchen table, tasting the wine together as I tell him what I know about the wine.

Giving a bottle of one of your favorite wines is always a great choice for this kind of host. Then you can tell your own story, which can be as simple as how you stumbled upon the wine.

If, like my mother, you never remember names of wines or producers, that's simply part of your story. You couldn't remember the name of an awesome Italian wine you had at a restaurant, for example, but you're pretty sure it was from Tuscany, so you tried to find it to share it with others. Describing the search

is endearing.

A bit more difficult to please are 'foodies' - people who regularly dine out, order wine, pay attention to food and wine pairings, and go to wine tastings. It's best to try to focus on their specific preferences, and then perhaps shop for something that's one step removed from their usual choice.

For example, if the person for whom you are selecting the gift always drinks California chardonnay, selecting a chardonnay from France - a white Burgundy - is a good choice. It acknowledges their preferences while offering a new experience. True foodies will appreciate the opportunity to broaden their horizons.

The most challenging person to give wine to is The Connoisseur. My cousin Mark has a wine cellar, and it is filled with top class older California cabernets, Bordeaux, Burgundies, Barolos and Barbarescos. Every year he hosts Christmas Eve, and each year I deliberate over which wine to bring.

Instead of trying to give him something in the same league as his cellar stock, I consider wine that is perfectly ready to drink now. Rosé champagne is always a winner, as is vintage port. Other options are top-notch Riesling from Alsace or Germany, or a red from the upper echelon of New World regions. There are some small production, top quality American Pinot Noir or Argentinean Malbec that would please any connoisseur.

Of course, if you want to bring the host something cellar-worthy, it's not that difficult. Consult with a knowledgeable wine merchant; you can always find something if you have the means to obtain it. There are also numerous magazines and Web sites with wine reviews and 'scores' of wine, if you prefer to conduct your research first.

When I decide to go all out and splurge on a special bottle of wine, I make sure to let the host know that the bottle is specifically for him or her. This lets the host know that I don't expect that the bottle will be opened on that occasion.

…But I'm probably hoping that it will. After all, giving wine is about

sharing. I

Leslie-Ann Sheppard is the owner of The Cellar, a seasonal wine and cheese shop on Surfside Road. The Cellar is open through New Year's Eve.