How To Gift Good Wine, Plus 5 Canadian Picks

In my early adult years, wine felt like an impersonal, one-size-fits-all gift you’d give to a stranger, or perhaps receive as an empty corporate gesture. But as I’ve gotten older, I’ve found that wine can be more profound than perfunctory, a genuine show of consideration that just happens to be delicious. The gift of a show-stopping bottle doesn’t hinge on knowing a ton about wine and it doesn’t have to be expensive. Here’s what I’ve learned. 

Independent bottle shops, with their knowledgeable staff and curated selection, are a great place to start. While it can be daunting to consider an entire shelf of wine, finding something cute, tasty and within your budget can and should be a fun task. There are no dumb questions, but being a bit more specific than “dry” is always helpful. Run through a few quick questions with yourself: What colour? Lighter or fuller bodied? How much? Roughly speaking, aim to spend about $25 to $45 in most cases, $50 to $75 for a special occasion and up to $100 for something splurgey. 

To really make it personal, communicate how and when the recipient should best enjoy the wine. Decide whether it’ll be drunk that night, in the near future or saved for a special ocassion so the wine is appreciated at the right moment. Of course, the recipient decides when that might be, but some people may need the permission of a prompt. Drink me at the next Survivor marathon. Pair with your famous lamb roast. For immediate drinking, consider bringing it chilled so it’s ready to pour or even better, make it a magnum (a double-sized bottle of wine) for maximum impact. 

In party season, sparkling wine always comes to mind. But it doesn’t have to be Champagne:  Crémant (made in France but outside Champagne) or Cava (from Spain) can be just as compelling without the price tag. For the adventurous, a pétillant naturel, or pet-nat for short, is  fun, approachable and often a touch experimental: wild fermented, lower alcohol and with low to no added sulphur. But if it must be Champagne, seek out a higher quality grower Champagne like Lelarge Pugeot’s Tradition Extra Brut, wines that are vinified and bottled by the grape growers. 

Alternatively, an age-worthy bottle to stash away in one’s cellar—or wherever they put their wine—can be something so personal. A handy trick for finding wine intended for this is to look for wines that already have at least three to four years of age on them, a sign it’s from an exceptional vintage. Red varieties like Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Nebbiolo are famous for their aging potential, but white grapes like Chardonnay, Riesling and Chenin Blanc will cellar just as gracefully. Avoid younger, lighter bodied wines such as pale Provence-style rosés (often bottled in clear glass), which are better suited for drinking within two to three years and may lose their vibrancy with age. For bonus marks, suggest opening it for a future milestone like a graduation or an anniversary. 

Most dollar stores have a wide array of single-bottle wine bags that can be gussied up with a bit of colourful tissue paper, which can double as additional padding for transport. If you’re feeling especially generous, a handy wine accessory like a sparkling stopper, plastic cooler bag or a double-hinged wine key will run you less than $20 and makes for a great memento from your favourite wine bars and restaurants. Throw in a hand-written card, and you’re done! All that careful consideration will no doubt be warmly appreciated. And if you’re unsure, just remember: it’s wine and never that serious. 

Wine Picks

Sparkling — Hinterland ‘Blanc de Blancs Traditional Method’, $39.95

This glistening gem from Prince Edward County is aged in the traditional (or Champagne) method for nearly four years for added depth and complexity. Golden orchard fruit and pithy citrus brightness meet wet limestone, green almonds and biscuit. 

White — Cave Spring ‘Riesling’, $16.95

Riesling not only pairs easily with food, it ages gracefully for decades, even moreso with a touch of residual sugar. Textured, creamy and aromatic with fresh nectarines and breezy white florals. 

Dark Rosé / Light Red — Scout ‘Co-Fermented Syrah-Riesling’, $30

A spirited red and white blend from the lesser-known Similkameen Valley that toes the line between savoury dark rosé and juicy light red. Lipstick red fruit, blackberry stain, pink peppercorn spice and a touch of earthy leather.

Red — Burrowing Owl ‘Cabernet Franc’ $36

Rich and robust Cabernet Franc sits wonderfully alongside richer fare on the dinner table. Dark plum, blueberry and cassis flavours reveal a brooding underbelly of balsamic, espresso and a cigarette after dinner. Drink now or cellar up to a decade. 

Sweet — Inniskillin ‘Icewine’ $39.95 (200ml) or $54.95 (375ml)

After nearly 50 years as Canada’s first post-Prohibition winery, Inniskillin’s award-winning icewine remains an international benchmark. Luscious but not cloying, waxy citrus and amber-encased apricot are crucially balanced by a zesty, acidic backbone. Ideal with tarte tatin and pecan pie à la mode.