Gifts That Won't be Re-Gifted

To help you get started we break from our holiday wine guide for entertaining and turn our thoughts to gift-giving. The gift bottle should make a statement and, for the perfect touch, you could combine it with a book that has more information about the wine and the region you have selected. Add some glasses or perhaps a decanter and you have a gift that will get the attention of any wine lover.

Today we look at six specific gift ideas but I've included some back-up picks, just in case they are sold out by the time you get around to visiting your local wine shop. And, speaking of sold out, ask if and when the wine will be back in stock and or check with the in-store wine consultant about similar wines that would make a fine alternative.

UNDER $30

There is a wealth of wines to choose from here including Burgans Albarino Rias Baixas 2004, Spain $20, Folie a Deux Menage a Trois White 2003, California $20, Errazuriz Chardonnay Wild Ferment 2002, Chile $22, Cline 2003 Red Truck Red, California $19, Bommarito Cabernet Sauvignon 2002, Napa Valley $29 or our feature pick the Clos de los Siete 2003, from Mendoza, Argentina.

This is a great year in Argentina and winemaker Michel Rolland has totally hit the mark with this supple ripe red packed with blackberry fruit and sporting a long silky, signature Rolland finish. Attractive New World flavours but with some European styling. Great value here.

$25 to $40

Sweet wine lovers also have a lot of wines to choose from beginning with home-grown icewine, French Sauternes and late harvest wines from around the world. Some quick picks would include the likes of Chateau Roumieu Sauternes 2003, Bordeaux $24, Selbach-Oster Riesling Zeltinger Sonnenuhr Auslese 2004 $28 or the 90 Ayler Kupp Riesling Spatlese 2004 $29 from Germany or Quails' Gate Botrytis Affected Optima 2004 $30 from B.C. Our feature pick is the De Bortoli Noble One Botrytis Semillon 2003.

Noble One seems to go from strength to strength. I love the its rich, round, fresh and fat style yet it remains fresh lively with good finesse. Look for dried apricot, peach skin, and creamy, spicy, orange/vanilla, honey flavours. The finish is all orange marmalade. Great stuff.

$40 to $50

Over $40 the wines begin to pick up weight and power and can be fine candidates for collectors. Some big reds to look for include Chateau de la Gardine Chateauneuf-du-Pape 2001, France $50, Ferrari-Carano Cabernet Sauvignon 2001, Sonoma $42, Glaetzer Bishop Shiraz 2004, Jim Barry The McCrae Wood Shiraz 2002 $47, or Penfolds St. Henri Shiraz 2002 at 49.99 from Australia. Our pick however is white and it comes from France: Domaine Christian Moreau Chablis 1er Cru Vaillon Cuvee Guy Moreau 2003.

Cuvee Guy Moreau take sits name from a 70-year-old block planted by Guy Moreau in 1934. It is 60/40 stainless steel/ barrel fermented blend with only 10 percent new wood used. Look for citrus, anise, baked pear, mineral, nutty lees flavours with spicy, lemon rind finish. Fine richness. Very ripe for Chablis.

$50 to $60

One of the best tastings I attended this year featured the Barossa Valley wines of Torbreck and, unbelievably, they are all listed in government stores. Look for any of the following Torbreck labels: Juveniles $39, Run Rig $245, The Descendant $145.99, The Factor $146, The Steading $50 or our feature pick, the Torbreck The Struie 2003.

The Struie is made with high-altitude Eden Valley shiraz lending it a peppery, smoky, licorice root nose. It enters the palate dry, warm and rich with very supple tannins. More peppery, resiny, garrigue, mocha, licorice fruit with black cherry and blackberry flavours and a savoury, anise mark the finish.

$60 to $100

They say you get what you pay for at this level but you still need to be selective. Some current favourites labels include: William Fevre Les Clos Chablis Grand Cru 2003, $99.00, Glaetzer Amon Ra Shiraz 2004, $85, La Poderina Brunello di Montalcino 2000 $75, Penfolds Magill Estate Shiraz 2002 $75, Vinedo Chadwick 2002 Cabernet Sauvignon $80 and Fonseca Guimaraens Vintage Port 2001 $80. Our special pick is the Penfolds Yattarna Bin 144 Chardonnay 2002 from Adelaide Hills.

Tight and lean this year's chardonnay blend is decidedly Adelaide Hills-based with less than 20 per cent coming out of Tumbarumba. The flavours are citrus and pear with a nectarine skin undercurrent. Tight restrained and getting more Burgundian with every vintage. Very sophisticated and made for food. Love it.

$100 Plus

If I had to pick one red wine at this price that you might be able to get your hands on, it would be the Joseph Phelps Insignia 2002 from Napa Valley. Rich, round, ripe and supple, you will love the licorice, menthol, bitter chocolate, cassis jam flavours and the long blackberry jam and tobacco finish. Plenty of style and substance.