Personally, I'm not much of a drinker but I have a handful of friends that I need to buy gifts for and I was thinking about a bottle of wine. Can you suggest any good wines that are low in cost and good in flavor that wouldn't look like I'm being cheap??

I'm not a wine snob but I like Red Diamond Merlot. Sutter Home Moscato is a wonderful dessert wine. These wines are about $10 a bottle.

You can also buy sampler packs of smaller bottles of wine. I like trying those.

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Do you have any local wineries in your state? We have got wine that is made locally for gifts before. It kinda gives it a nicer touch than something you can pick up at a grocery store. Other than that, I do not drink wine much. The only wines I know of are the cheaper ones, not anything nice.

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I am no expert on wine..but I do like it...some of the wines that we like that are a reasonable price ($10-$12 and under) are Columbia Crest, Rosemount Estates, Penfolds (some are pricey you have to look), Yellow Tail, Smoking Loon, Ravenswood...I could go on.

Most of those are available in white or red...my favorite RED is a Shiraz or Cabernet Sauvignon and my favorite white is Sauvignon Blanc.

HTH

There are wines that are much higher in price that are good to, let me know if you have a certain budget and I can do my best to help you.

Good luck!!

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Stacey

The moment we begin to fear the opinions of others and hesitate to tell the truth that is in us, and from motives of policy are silent when we should speak, the divine floods of light and life no longer flow into our souls. ~ Elizabeth Cady Stanton

Don't be afraid to talk to the people at the wine store. If you go to a wine shop or even one of those upscale fruit/veggie markets that have a wine section, or even Whole Foods. They usually have someone quite knowledgeable on staff - you can ask for something that's very popular, something good with italian food, something good as a dessert wine, etc. I bought a couple cases of wine when we were in Northern Michigan last month as we visited several wineries. Whacked out a lot of Xmas gifts all at once!

I would say to check around to see what local wines you have available. It seems "more special" when it's a local made thing. There are many great wines that are under 12- or even try a sparkling wine- those are quite refreshing.

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One happy wife and mommy!!!

I'm #3 for the local wine idea, except all of our local wines are really sweet wines! I'm not a fan of those, but I think they may be more popular with people who don't drink a lot of wine...?!

A cheaper wine that I like is Sutter Home (Hubby and I like their White Zin., and he is not a wine drinker) and I also don't mind Glen Ellen. The Yellowtail brand isn't one of my personal favorites, but my dad really likes it. I do like Ravenswood, and I also tried a really cheap (like 3 bucks, lol) french wine called Tres Biciclette (probably spelled wrong) and it wasn't bad at all!

You could always look into buying a nice corkscrew, bottle stoppers (LOVE'em), or wine charms to supplement your wine choice, so there would still be something else if they don't really like the brand or type you choose?!

I do remember seeing wine boxes for a single bottle on sale at Dollar General (the purple dot clearance)....I think they were less than a dollar here (in MO)....

HTH!?

Menage a Trois - California Red Table Wine
Menage a Trois - California White Table Wine

They are both fantastic, have never paid more that $12 a bottle, sometimes can find for as little as $9. Everyone who has ever had it at our house wants to know the name so they can buy some. Friends introduced us to it.

Two years ago, I gave wine to some friends. I made it look like a snowman. I sewed a white cover for the bottle part, a black top hat for the neck. It was cute (if I do say so myself) but I got the idea from someplace else.

If I truly knew nothing, I would definately go to a wine shop and get some advice. Or even the wine person at smaller grocery stores, we have a small chain in my area and the wine people are fabulous. They'll be really helpful. You really don't need to spend a fortune to get a nice bottle of wine.

I agree with the local wineries. I also like Smoking Loon.

Or, pick something with a funny/amusing bottle. I've found bottles of:
Fat Bastard
Something? Bi*ch (sorry, I can't remember except it had the word bi*ch in the title and the label was funny)
Or, bottles with hollograms in the back (very cool!)

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