Whether you're looking for something to bring the host of a party or looking for a more substantial gift, wine can be a good choice if selected carefully. Taking a few things into consideration may make it easier to choose just the right wine for a gift.

Keep the Recipient in Mind

Think about what wines you've seen the recipient drinking, both in terms of the price and the variety. It's a good idea to get something similar in flavor to the recipient's typical favorite wines but perhaps a bit more expensive. Going to a specialty wine shop with a wide selection and asking the employee for help selecting the wine can be a good way to find something a bit different but still within your budget.

Consider Favorite Meals

When trying to purchase wine for a friend, sometimes it helps to think about what they like to eat the most and then choose a wine that goes well with this type of dish. For example, red meat goes well with Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, or Shiraz, while chicken dishes tend to pair nicely with Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, or Chenin Blanc. A salad lover may enjoy something like a Chenin Blanc or a Semillon, while rich seafood dishes tend to pair nicely with a Chardonnay and milder fishes could be matched with a Sauvignon Blanc.

Consider Champagne

Champagne is an especially good gift for festive occasions and bringing a magnum of a well-known brand can solve the problem of what to bring to the hostess of a party. Keep in mind that the fancier the occasion is, the fancier the champagne should be.

Unusual Wines

Some people like to give wines that are a bit off the beaten path and unusual, just for the experience of trying something totally different the person might not try on their own. However, this can sometimes be intimidating to certain recipients, as they might not know what to do with it. Also, unless you've tried it, you may wind up giving them something that doesn't actually taste all that great. It's definitely important to consider the recipient carefully before going this route.

Pair Wine With Something More Lasting

When giving a gift of wine, the wine may be quickly consumed, so it can be a good idea to pair it with something else that will last a bit longer. You can buy wood wine gift crates from a company like Wine Crate Craftworks or search out cool wine accessories that the person may find useful. Consider a fancy corkscrew, a wine cover up, wine stoppers, wine charms so guests can tell their wine glasses apart, or some other small item that will be useful in the long run.