It may be your spouse, a sibling, a parent, a best friend or a co-worker. It’s that person for whom buying a bottle of wine is a daunting task because they have a picky palate.
I have encountered this conundrum numerous times over the years and have come up with only two viable solutions:
- Ask the person exactly what type and brand of wine they like. (If they’re REALLY picky, you’d better inquire about their favorite vintage, too.)
Of course, the one problem with this method is that it completely removes the element of surprise from the gift.
- Select a “go-to” variety.
Among red wines, my go-to variety for gift giving is Cabernet Sauvignon. Any variety with a nickname like “King Cab” has a good chance of being appreciated by any person who enjoys wine.
Among white wines, my go-to variety is Chardonnay. It’s a type of wine that everyone’s acquainted with, and a quality bottle that has been curated by a very persnickety tasting panel is bound to be appreciated. Vinesse procures only wines that our tasting panel members enjoy at their own homes.
If you really want to play it safe, choose a bottle of each type to give. And if you really want to make an impression, select several bottles of each variety and give a mixed case.
Even the pickiest of palates will be wowed by your generosity… not to mention your own good taste.
