What is a good wine?

How about an English sparkling wine from Waitrose? I recommend Chapel Down or Nyetimber

Look for the supermarkets own upmarket brand - eg Sainsbury "Taste the difference " Their wine experts have chosen these wines and supermarkets have the buying power to get the best prices.

Chateauneuf du pape. A high quality red. Between £15 and £20

I would say a good wine is any that you like but as you're teetotal that's no help. Wine is such a matter of personal taste that I would buy a bottle of medium priced champagne, always a treat and makes a lovely present.

nanna8

Pinot Grigio is nice. I like Durif in the reds but I have been told not everyone does ( pass it to me, pass it to me !)

DD bought an Australian Durif for us - first time I have tasted it and it was very good. However, it's not available in supermarkets.

Chilean sauvignon blanc for a good white, it's citrusy and fruity

Ask someone who is close to the intended recipient. That's what I do.

Pinot Grigio is nice. I like Durif in the reds but I have been told not everyone does ( pass it to me, pass it to me !)

I only drink red wine. Simply because I prefer it to white, that I really do not like. Fiz and Rose are always acceptable, but there is nothing to beat a really nice glass of a rich red Bordeaux.

loopyloo.- stereotypes don't always work, for sure.

And Prosecco will never be considered 'a great wine' in wine circles. I know, said it before- a lot of snobism.

Luckygirl3

Thank you for the ideas. I live quite remotely so a trip to a wine store would be an expedition! I will see what I can get from an online store - but at least I have some idea what to look for now!

What about a local wine?

Is the accompanist male or female?
Think men prefer reds and women fizz or rose.
Or am I in to very difficult territory?
Also a lot of people don't drink alcohol these days.
Just a thought.
An M&S voucher might be better.

Prosecco.

Another vote for Mirabeau Pure.
I think I'm sticking with rosé suggestions for time of year. (In the garden, barbecues etc).

Let us know what you decide to do Luckygirl3, as it’s always good to get feedback. 😊

I woukd go by price, though it isn’t always the case that an expensive one us much different to a cheaper one.
Some like red, others white, full bodied or light, it’s a minefield.
How about a bottle of fizz, Prosecco etc .

It’s down to personal preferences but my DD and her father are quite picky about wine! They’d recommend Whispering Angel or Mirabeau Pure rosé, Catena Malbec or Montemajone Classico chianti red, and Veuve Cliquot bubbly, should find them in Waitrose.

The Ned, white and red, were hugely popular with customers when I worked there!

Heaps of thanks everyone - I will search around.

You're right of course M0nica and NanaDana in terms of practicality but not quite the same as a gift.

A Pecorino might be a good choice for white. I have had some very nice ones.

www.wine-searcher.com/grape-352-pecorino?tab_F=mostpopular#winesortlist

This website (above) can be sorted into "most popular" and has plenty of descriptions so may be helpful.

There is no point in people recommending a particular wine based on grape, or area because no matter what the grape or what area the wine comes from, some will be absolutely delicious and others will only be fit for paint stripping.

Personally, I think NanaDana has come up with the right solution, a wine token and then they can choose what they like.

As you actually have no idea as to what their personal taste may be, why not just take all the stress out of selection by simply sending them a wine gift voucher? Here's a firm I've used in the past for just that purpose. www.winedirect.co.uk/gift-vouchers

I like very different wines to my mother-in-law and even one of my daughters.

Unless I knew what they liked I'd phone an independent wine merchant and they will help you choose according to price and what "most people" would enjoy.

I would buy an old vine primativo such as this if they like vibrant luscious, bold and unctuous reds:
www.wine-searcher.com/find/cantina+st+marziano+60+sessanta+old+vines+primitivo+di+manduria+puglia+italy/1/uk

A treat but not outrageous.

Waitrose has usually got someone in house who knows their wines if you want a conversation. You can always buy locally once you have better ideas.

A good Italian red would be my choice ,not chianti....a Barolo or Bardolino or try a new world red Australia produces great wine .My OH likes a Chiliean Cabernet or a Rioja when he occasionaly drinks wine

That is a BIG question. Many British traditionalists will not have anything but a Bordeaux, and will poopooh any other French wine. And will poopooh any pretty bottle from any supermarket, however good.

So so much snobbism in wine, and other alcohols too.

And don't get me started on Champagne!

But if it is for a thank you for an official rôle- yes a good Bordeaux red, or Champagne from Pol Roger, or one of the famous but less 'commercial' houses. Or for Italian, a good Montepulciano (Toscana not d'Abruzzo).