B-21 on Facebook
No-fear shopping for wine gifts
Price and budgets are nothing to be ashamed about. Wine has been a business for a millennia so there’s no need to whisper dollar amounts. Be upfront about how much you want to spend whether it’s for a friend or for yourself. It saves time and a good wine store has stock in all price ranges. We’ve got really good wines for $10 and killer wines for $100. At B-21, sharp wine staff won’t pull a bait and switch, or sneer and try to push you off your budget. Some things don’t exist, such as true Champagne for $15, but enjoyable bubbly for that price does. Just ask. (On that one, I’d say Domaine Chandon Rose at $15.99, or if you want la belle France on the label, Francois Montand is delicious at $$9.99) My advice when shopping:
Can't decide? Get a gift card!
1) Once you’ve figured a price, give some thought to what the recipients like, or wines you’ve had with them. Please don’t say, “These people like really good wine, I don’t know what kind, but really, really good.” Think about them a little. If you know they like Italian wines, Pinot Noir or California Chardonnay, let’s start there.
2) Forget guessing their taste. Give a bottle you like and include a card or a recipe, “We had this in Napa with a great all-vegetable dinner.”
3) If you’re really stumped go for a dessert wine or bubbles
4) Don’t buy to impress a showoff. That’s a battle you can’t win. Give a corkscrew – or a wine stopper.
“Put a cork in it, Joe.”
(When all else fails, go with a gift card and they can pick it out themselves!)
No comments yet.