Holiday Gift Picks

You need something and you need it quick. It should be thoughtful, valuable and well-tailored to the recipient's desires. The answer is wine, of course, and the time to get started is today, before all of the best stuff is gone.

The gift bottle should make a statement and, for the perfect touch, I recommend you combine it with an interesting wine book that can, but does not have to be, connected to the wine or the region you have selected. You could also toss in some proper tasting glasses or perhaps a decanter, and you'll have a gift that will get the attention of any wine lover.

Today we look at six specific gift ideas in just as many price ranges, complete with secondary gift thoughts to spice up the package. I've also included some backup picks just in case my main choice is 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.

Don't forget inventory numbers. Information about which stores carry the wine in question is available for all B.C. Liquor Stores picks. Simply log onto www.bcliquorstores.com to check the numbers before you head to the store. Private wine shops can be helpful when you get inside but unfortunately, there is no way to know what they are selling until you get there.

$10 to $20

We begin with a tasty new listing from the Loire Valley. Domaine du Clos du Bourg Sauvignon Touraine 2006 is a dry and elegant sauvignon with gooseberry, butter and ripe fig flavours flecked with chalky citrus notes. It has fine intensity without being aggressively herbal. A great holiday-entertaining wine. Other fine picks under $20 include: Domaine Jean Bousquet Organic Malbec 2005, Paul Mas Viognier ($14), Peter Lehmann Semillon ($16) or A Mano Primitivo ($18). Recommended book: Hugh Johnson's Pocket Wine Book 2008: 31st Edition, $18.

$20 to $30

This is an easy pick. The De Bortoli Noble One Botrytis Semillon 2004 is easily among the best dessert wines in the world. Now under screw-cap (for those markets who want it) it's packed with orange marmalade flavours with creamy, smoky, vanilla flecks. It is a fabulous value that you can hold for decades. Other choices to look for include: Rodney Strong Chardonnay Chalk Hill 2005 ($22), Benziger Chardonnay Los Carneros 2006 ($28), Pascal Jolivet Attitude Sauvignon 2006 (24), Catena Zapata Malbec 2005 ($23), and Quinta De Chocapalha 2005 ($21). Recommended book: The World Atlas of Wine: Completely Revised and Updated, Sixth Edition by Hugh Johnson and Jancis Robinson, $55.

$40 to $50

Ridge Lytton Springs Zinfandel 2005 is a sophisticated blend of 31 parcels of Dry Creek Valley fruit that blends 77/17/6 zinfandel, petite sirah and carignane aged in air-dried, American oak barrels. As usual, the style is lush but elegant. The tannins are firm but small-grained and slippery. There's gobs of blueberry, black cherry fruit with earthy briary undertones and a squeeze of vanilla. Delicious now, but it will keep a decade with ease. Other wines in this price range include Dr. Thanisch Riesling Auslese Wehlener Sonnenuhr 2005 ($45), Grosset Polish Hill Riesling 2006 ($40) and Osoyoos Larose 2005 ($40). Recommended book: To Cork or Not To Cork: Tradition, Romance, Science, and the Battle for the Wine Bottle by George M. Taber, $30.

$50 to $60

Torres Mas La Plana 2003 is on a roll. The 29-hectare site in central Penedès region is really coming into its own. The nose is bright and fragrant flecked with coffee, black olive and smoky cranberries and saddle leather. Similar flavours of garrigue, cassis cranberries and with a savoury peppery finish. Very youthful red wine with finesse to spare. Backup picks here include: Frescobaldi Mormoreto 2004 ($51), Charles Heidsieck Brut Reserve Mis en Cave ($54) and Carmen Winemaker's Reserve 2002 ($52). Any sort of game or meat dish will do here. Recommended book: The Wines of Spain by Julian Jeffs, $26.

$70 to $85

Canadian Cliff Lede is making some impressive Napa wines such as the Cliff Lede Cabernet Sauvignon 2004. The all Stags Leap District red with its floral, earthy, peppery nose and chocolate, vanilla, cedar, vanilla, black cherry, cassis flavours is a winner. For best drinking, hold this wine for two to five years. Other fine picks in this price range include: Jena Marc Brocard 2005 ($72), Conca y Toro Don Melchor 1997 ($77) and Quinta do Crasto Touriga Nacional 2004 ($79). Recommended book: A Wine Journey along the Russian River by Steve Heimoff, $17.

$85 to $100

Sequel Syrah 2003 is part of the Long Shadows project headed up by former Stimson Lane head Allan Shoup and five other superstar winemakers from about the globe. Sequel is made by John Duval, former chief winemaker at Penfolds and the one of a few producers of the legendary Grange. On the palate, Sequel offers black cherry jam and smoky, peppery, vanilla flavours with meaty, clove and chocolate, roasted pepper flavours and a smoky, warm vanilla finish. It should improve over the next two to four years. Other wines under $100 to look for include: Shafer Relentless Syrah 2004 ($100), Antinori Tignanello 2004 ($96) and Domaine Bouchard Père Meursault 1er Genevrières 2005 ($90). Recommended book: Judgment of Paris: California vs. France and the Historic 1976 Paris Tasting That Revolutionized Wine, $17.50.

Price: $15

UPC: 03481730001005

Score: 87/100

Remarks: Great holiday entertaining wine.

De Bortoli Noble One Botrytis Semillion 2004, Australia

Price: $27.99

UPC: 09300752070841

Score: 95/100

Remarks: Fabulous value.

Ridge Lytton Springs Zinfandel 2005, Sonoma County, Calif.

Price: $49.99

UPC: 744442901005

Score: 90/100

Remarks: Gobs of blueberry, black cherry fruit and a squeeze of vanilla.

Torres Mas La Plana 2003, Penedès, Catalunya, Spain

Price: $50

UPC: 08410113003126

Score: 93/100

Remarks: Very youthful red wine with finesse to spare.

Cliff Lede Cabernet Sauvignon 2004, Stag's Leap District, Napa Valley, Calif.

Price: $80

UPC: 00008261040100

Score: 91/100

Remarks: Chocolate, tobacco, black cherry, cassis flavours.

Sequel Syrah 2003, Columbia Valley, Washington, United States

Price: $85

UPC: 808755003839

Score: 92/100

Remarks: A big full-blown, meaty, spicy Washington syrah.