What's a good wine to give?

[yushoe]

In midst of the holiday season, I'm sure many of you bring wine as a gift to dinner parties. I'm going over to my boyfriend's house for dinner for the first time next week and would like to bring a bottle of wine. The problem is, I have never purchased a bottle of wine in my life...

I'm hoping for something versatile, relatively inexpensive and not neccesarily to be served at dinner (which will most likely be Korean food). Also something I would be able to find at a local liquor store.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

[winesonoma]

In midst of the holiday season, I'm sure many of you bring wine as a gift to dinner parties. I'm going over to my boyfriend's house for dinner for the first time next week and would like to bring a bottle of wine. The problem is, I have never purchased a bottle of wine in my life...

I'm hoping for something versatile, relatively inexpensive and not neccesarily to be served at dinner (which will most likely be Korean food).  Also something I would be able to find at a local liquor store.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

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One can never go wrong with Champagne!

[jayt90]

Zinfandel, or Beaujolais cru will fit in nicely. And there is a style of riesling for every occaision, just ask a good wine merchant.

[Redwinger]

In midst of the holiday season, I'm sure many of you bring wine as a gift to dinner parties. I'm going over to my boyfriend's house for dinner for the first time next week and would like to bring a bottle of wine. The problem is, I have never purchased a bottle of wine in my life...

I'm hoping for something versatile, relatively inexpensive and not neccesarily to be served at dinner (which will most likely be Korean food).  Also something I would be able to find at a local liquor store.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

←

I can't recommend a specific wine. My suggestion is to go to a wine shop/liquor store with a knowledgeable staff and ask for their assistance. If you don't have a favorite local retailer, ask your friends to recommend a shoppe. Any store worth frequenting should be able to give you many suggestions. If they don't ask you questions about your price point, what kinds of wine your friend has liked in the past, what type of food does your friend like, etc., then go someplace else.

Bill

[Miami Danny]

Smoking Loon, Covey Run, Pepperwod Grove, Aquinas-all good West Coast wines and inexpensive-try to stay away from Yellow Tail-it's really not that good. Also, the Gallo import Red Bicyclette(sp), is OK-should be everywhere. All under $10. A bottle of Cordoniu Cava is also nice-sparkling goes with spicy food, and also great before you eat-about $10. Enjoy!

Edited December 24, 2004 by Miami Danny (log)

[yushoe]

awesome, I'll definitely stop by a store and ask about all your recommendations. Thanks!

[Jeffy Boy]

How about a Late Bottle Vintage Port, for after dinner? Goes especially well with anything chocolate, or when sitting around a fireplace! Graham and Dow's are two good brands.

[jbonne]

what Redwinger said. i also outlined some general strategies a couple weeks ago.

though no one looks a gift Champagne in the mouth.

[Jason Perlow]

Yushoe:

Korean food is spicy and heavy on the garlic, it really depends what exactly you are eating and you will need a wine to stand up to that. If its a meat meal -- as in red meat, like bulgogi or kalbi, I would go with a red wine, perhaps a Pinot Noir (domestic or imported) or a Burgundy. Sangiovese is another good red wine varietal that stands up to meat as does Primitivo and Barbera. Beaujelais Nouveau might not be bad either because its the time of year for it.

If its a seafood/fish/poultry/pork meal I would go with a white like a Riesling Kabinnett (Dry) or a wine from the Alsace region of France such as Gewurztraminer or Pinot Gris. These are all high acid wines that will stand up to garlicy spicy food.

I also agree that sparkling wines are nice things to bring over, but they work best as a before-dinner starter and not an accompaniment to Asian cuisine, the rare exception being Sushi or a light cuisine like Vietnamese salads and stuff. They also go well with fried food so if you have a fried appetizer of some sort, that will work.

[tanabutler]

Since you are on the east coast, you can get European wines cheaper than I can, out here in California.

One wine I've had that really stood up to spicy foods is the Austrian Gruner Veltliner. It's a white wine, very minerally and flavorful (generally), and by golly, it's got a spine.

I've had several different labels, so can't guess what you will have available to you locally, but ask at your wine shop.

[fchrisgrimm]

So what did you choose? Did they like it?

If I had seen this earlier, I would have suggested a Gewurtz or Pinot Gris - preferrably from Navarro Vineyards in the Anderson Valley. Perfect with the spicy flavors. Unreal bargains, too.

Though going with Sparkling would have been the more festive choice.