Tis' the season and right now there are loads of great articles out there on the perfect wine to serve with the holiday feast or the perfect bubbly to ring in the New Year.  But I thought I would address a question on behalf of Be Better Guys that you guys really need answered:  What wine should you bring as a gift to a holiday party? Let's be honest, you are much more likely to be invited to, than to host, a major dinner party this season.  And as a Better Guy, you already know that arriving empty-handed to a holiday party is like Charlie Brown showing up with that sickly Christmas tree – it's weak.  Given that wine is still the most generally acceptable (and accessible) gift to bring your hosts, I'm offering a few pointers to make sure you hit the mark. 

First off, unless specifically asked to bring wine by the host, the bottle we are talking about is a gift.  It doesn't have to match the meal nor should it.  This is a wine for the hosts to enjoy after you and the other guests leave.  If you are asked to bring the wine for the meal, find out what's being served and how many guests there will be.  To check out the basics of matching wines with food, check out our wine primers for reds and whites.  And remember, 1 bottle = 6 people per course, unless you're with David, Brian and I, in which case 5 bottles = 3 people per course.

Now, for the perfect gift wine...


The best wine to take is the hostess' favorite. That surprised and knowing smile and appreciative thank you is your number one ticket to being invited back. How do you discover the secret fave?  Ask around.  If it is your girl's mom, ask your gal what her mom drinks.  Boss's wife?  He'll gladly tell you because he too looks good when you have a good showing.  Know her favorite wine store?  Go there and ask a salesperson for advice.  This little bit of research pays big.

Make a connection. Remember when your host was telling you six months ago about their great vacation to?  Score big points by bringing an Italian wine, and ask at your wine shop for such varietals as Barbaresco or Aglianico.  Say you hail from Oregon, Washington, California, Virginia.  Present the hosts with a wine from your home state, such as one of the amazing Pinot Noirs from the Eola Hills or a Virginia Chardonnay.  You can even go so far as to get a wine with your name – or theirs.  I once had a pal who always gave Flowers Chardonnay from the Sonoma Coast because his last name was Flowers  (Word of caution -  sample the wine quality before you invest in this route because some custom wines are good, some are lousy). 

Dare to be different. Everyone loves to be introduced to a new treasure, feel like he or she's discovering something that's unique to them.  Explore some of the lesser known wine regions from around the world with the help of a good wines shop.  Tasmania has some charming Pinot Noirs that will bring out the devil in all of us.  The Torrontes grape  is the charming white distinctive to Argentina because it is the only country to produce it. A little bit of adventure goes a long way.  You can find interesting quality from exotic locales like Greece, Lebanon, Chile, South Africa, Austria, Portugal, New Zealand, Long Island (yes, New Yorkers!).  Get the lowdown on the wine and write a little something to include it in the gift card or have fun talking it up to the guests (“Yeah, this is just a little known Greek wine I tried when I was in Santorini a few weeks ago.”)  What a great conversation starter when you arrive! 

Bubbles are not just for the bathtubs. I maintain the mantra that there should always be a bottle of bubbly chilling in the fridge.  During the holidays, this is especially true because people feel like celebrating.   And by bubbly, it doesn't have to be Champagne, which, for a good one, is at least $30.  Yes, Champagne is a very appropriate gift wine to bring when you're invited to a nice holiday dinner.  But if it's a more casual party, show up with a few bottles of sparkling wine (just like Champagne, just not hailing from the Champagne region in France).  Sparkling wines come from California, Spain, Italy, Washington State, Australia, and others and can often be picked up for as little as $10 - $20.

Remember a wine gift bag and include a little note to go with the bottle.  Presentation is a big part of gift giving, after all.  And with a card your hosts will remember which better guy brought the better stuff.

Cheers!

The Sexy Sommelier, Lisa Kennelly is a certified sommelier, her skills tested by the Court of Master Sommelier. She's taught wine appreciation at universities and wine tastings around the country, and has owned wine bars, fine wine shops, and catering companies, and contributed to cookbooks. Best of all, she's really easy on the eyes.