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Q&A on Wine Gift Giving

You are throwing a dinner party and a guest brings you a pricey bottle of wine made from organically grown grapes.  Should you open it or hide it in your bedroom closet before your oeno-snob friend sees it?  Here are some questions and answers on giving and receiving wine gifts:
 

ARE YOU OBLIGATED TO OPEN A GIFT BOTTLE OF WINE?
It is not necessary to open a bottle of wine that is given to you.  It is intended as a gift for being invited into your home.  If you don't open the wine, it is a nice gesture to write the name of your guests and the date on the bottle using a Sharpie marker.  Put the bottle in your cellar and the next time they come over for dinner you can present the wine.

IS THERE AN IDEAL GIFT WINE?
Champagne or sparkling wine goes with everything and has international appeal.  It is a perfect gift for close friends or new acquaintances.  It may come as a surprise but it is not necessary to serve bubbles in flutes - regular stemmed glassware is better for the wine and the palate allowing the sparklers to open up and express character.

WHAT ABOUT MAGNUMS?
A 1.5 Litre bottle containg the equivalent of two standard bottels of wine is dramatic and impressive.  It is a perfect wine to take to a party and magnums of wine are avilable in red and white at reasonable prices.

WHAT IF YOU WANT TO CHOOSE A SPECIAL BOTTLE FOR A DINNER?
Ask your hosts ahead of time what food they are planning to serve and tell them you have an ideal red/white wine to go with it.

IF YOU ARE BRINGING A WINE TO SERVE AT DINNER, HOW DO YOU PRESENT IT?
If it is Champagne, sparkling or a white wine, make sure you bring it chilled and tell your hosts you hae chosen the wine as you thought it would be a great start to the evening.  Who can resist?
 

Source for portions of this article:  Osoyoos Larose Winery www.osoyooslarose.com