| By :
John V
Gift giving can be difficult. You want to create the appropriate feeling of being thought about and give the person something they can also enjoy and use, so that it's not just the thought that counts. Alcohol tends to be an easy answer to this problem, and wine gifts such as wine gift baskets give you an opportunity to really put in some thought about the recipient and show that you either know their tastes or have interesting ideas for them based on something you know about them. This opportunity to build an enjoyable gift basket can itself be fun for the giver on top of the enjoyable act of giving the gift. But to be as successful as possible it does require some research and attention to detail. Pre-made gift baskets can feel boring for the giver and the recipient because they are so easy to buy and tend to be rather thoughtless. A premade gift basket fails to take advantage of the main benefit of giving someone a gift that is actually a collection of smaller items that work together - you can tailor the contents. The first step is to consider the recipient and the occasion. Giving Dad one is obviously very different than giving one to the secretary as a wedding shower gift. The reason for giving the gift will inform the style of the basket and the decorations needed, if any. Figure out how much the person knows about wine and if they would like to know more. For someone with no wine experience, a book about wine basics, especially how to get the most flavor out of a glass and that includes food pairings, makes a good inclusion for after they finish the wine. To get them started, a wine opener and a pair of glasses that match whatever wine you pick are also helpful. Though these are an option for anyone, they make the most sense for a person who might not have glasses, as well as if the person will likely be enjoying their gift away from home on a vacation for example. The next thing to consider is the person's tastes. Most wine gifts include two bottles of wine. If you can identify what the person likes, try to match that. Think about if they have a sweet tooth or prefer more savory flavors, if they like bold flavors, or prefer something delicate and refined. It generally makes sense to include some sort of food pairing in the basket. A person who likes sweeter wines might most enjoy milk chocolates and a light-bodied Merlot or even a dessert wine if the chocolate is very mild. On the other hand, someone who enjoys bolder, savory flavors might appreciate the pairing of some strong cheeses such as an Asiago or a Brie with Bardolino or Merlot, respectively. Taking the time to think about what the person does or might like to taste is a great way to show thoughtfulness and ensure that opening and consuming the wine basket will be an enjoyable or even exciting experience for the recipient.
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