Heading into the holidays with a bottle on your list and no idea what to buy? On this month's Wine Time with Peggy, Peggy Fiandaca, co-owner of LDV Winery in Arizona, shares easy, thoughtful ways to gift wine, even if you don't drink it, and what to bring when you're a guest at Thanksgiving, Christmas, or Holiday dinner.
Peggy's safe bets include sparkling wine, soft reds like Pinot Noir and Shiraz, and lighter whites like Riesling or Viognier, and her best tip is to make it personal with a bottle that fits the person's heritage, favorite foods, or the occasion, plus a handwritten card (and maybe a recipe).
You'll also hear what's happening in the vineyard with weather and climate, LDV's new 2019 Grenache and 2019 Signature Petite Sirah releases, Peggy's Wine Term of the Month on why bottle glass color matters, and wines for a vegetarian or vegan Thanksgiving. Then stay for her Sweet & Spicy Carrots, a ginger-and-orange side dish that belongs on your holiday table.
Highlights: Peggy's Wine Gifting Tips
Ask a wine-shop pro. If you don't know wine, talk to someone who does. Peggy still does it herself.
Shop by type. Sparkling wine (Champagne, Prosecco or Cava) is a safe bet, especially for a celebration. So are softer, medium-bodied reds like an Australian Shiraz or an Oregon Pinot Noir, and lighter whites like Riesling or Viognier rather than a big, buttery, oaked Chardonnay.
Make it personal. Choose a wine that fits the person's heritage, hometown, or the occasion, or one that pairs with what they love to eat.
Add a handwritten card. Pick up a few talking points from the winery's website, tell them why you chose this bottle, and tuck in a recipe or little recipe book to make it extra special.
A gift is not a dinner contribution. Don't expect your gift bottle to be poured that night. Unless the host asked you to bring wine to share, it's theirs to save.
Surprise a wine lover. Step outside the usual go-tos and try something different, like a Croatian or Sicilian wine.
You don't have to overspend. A bottle in the $30 range is respectable. It's the thought that counts.
Resources & Links
New episodes of Big Blend Radio's Wine Time with Peggy Podcast air every 1st Wednesday at 4pm Arizona time.
