Check out our recommendations for birthdays, engagements, dinner parties, holidays and New Year's. For each category, we've got options depending on whether you want to spend a lot, a medium amount or just a little bit:
Birthday
High: +$250 / Bordeaux Left Bank Red or Bordeaux Right Bank Red
This is certainly a very nice gift to give, and should be reserved for that truly special person in your life, like a child, wife/husband or father/mother. Consider purchasing a Bordeaux of the year the person was born. It's always a cool and thoughtful gift. For example, if your daughter was born in 1984, get her a 1984 Bordeaux.
Example: Château Latour Pauillac Grand Vin Premier Grand Cru Classé 1990
Medium: $60-$150 / Portuguese Port
Like Bordeaux, you can also get a Port the same year the person was born. For example, if your son was born in 1986, get him a 1986 Port. Again, thoughtful, but a little less expensive than a Bordeaux.
Example: Kopke Porto Colheita 1984
Low: $15-$40 / Californian Zinfandel
Your office mate is having a birthday, and until you got to work today, you had no idea. Go with a surefire pleaser like a Californian Zinfandel. Easily found at most shops, a Zinfandel will have a price point that won't make you look cheap or that you're trying too hard.
Example: Rombauer Zinfandel Fiddletown 2011
Dinner Party
High: +$150 / Portuguese Douro Red
This is the type of dinner party that produces legendary stories filled with amazing people, creative food, and wines that never rate below a 4.0 on Vivino. You'll want to be the person who brought the wine everyone talks about, something different that makes people want to run out and try more of that style, this is one of those wines. Bring something interesting, like an expensive Portuguese wine.
Example: Vale Meão Douro 2011
Medium: $40-$60 / Southern Rhone Red
You've been attending this dinner party with friends a few times a year, developing a reputation of bringing great wine that doesn't break the bank. This Southern Rhone Red will impress all and is a great pairing with your latest French travel stories.
Example: Saint Michel Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvée Spéciale 2010
Low: $15-40 / Italian Chianti
Your neighbors are having a dinner party, and you said you'd come to one of them, and tonight is the night. Breaking out the good stuff is not going to be an option, so spring for a Chianti, promising universal appeal and a price point that will make you think about bringing three.
Example: Frescobaldi Chianti Rufina Riserva Nipozzano Vecchie Viti 2011
Holiday
High: +$400 / Bordeaux Left Bank Red or Bordeaux Right Bank Red
Generous gift giver? Want to become the favorite son or daughter-in-law? Trying to please a serious wine lover? Go big, get a classic Bordeaux wine. The most prestigious Bordeaux wines often cost more than $400, so prepare to spend this much or more. Is it worth it? If you want to impress, yes.
Example: Château Margaux Margaux Grand Vin Premier Grand Cru Classé 1999
Medium: $50-$100 / Californian Cabernet Sauvignon
If you don't want to spend a fortune on a Bordeaux, look to a Californian Cabernet Sauvignon in a lower price range. Remember, Bordeaux wines are primarily Cabernet Sauvignon, and Californian Cabernet Sauvignons can taste very similar to Bordeauxs. At a much more reasonable price, these wines can be great, rich wines, perfect for the holidays.
Example: Caymus Cabernet Sauvignon 2011
Low: $20-$50 / Argentinian Malbec
If you're not looking to spend much on a holiday wine gift (maybe you don't like your in-laws that much), Argentinian Malbecs can be great buys in this price range. They can be big, powerful wines, perfect for the winter season and sure to please novice wine drinkers and up.
Example: Tikal Malbec - Bonarda Patriota 2012
Engagement
High: +$100 / Burgundy Red
Engagements are elegant, and if you're close to the newly engaged couple, Burgundy Reds are perfect. Made of Pinot Noir, these wines are full of finesse, softness and subtle nuances. Expect to pay just over $100 for classic Burgundies that are drinking well right now.
Example: Louis Latour Grand Cru Château Corton Grancey 2005
Medium: $40-$80 / Californian Chardonnay
So this couple is more of a fan of white wines than red wines? This will be easier on your wallet, but if you still want to get them a nice and fairly expensive bottle of wine, we suggest a Californian Chardonnay. Chardonnay is by far the world's most popular white grape, so it's hard to go wrong. California has some of the most classic Chardonnays on the planet, especially in this price range.
Example: DuMOL Russian River Valley Chardonnay 2011
Low: $10-$40 / New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc
Don't know the couple that well, but well enough you feel you should get them a gift? Try a simple bottle of New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc: crisp, acidic, and pairs well with food. It's hard to go wrong with an affordable bottle of Sauvignon Blanc.
Example: Cloudy Bay Sauvignon Blanc Te Koko 2010
New Year's Eve
High: +$100 / French Champagne
It's New Year's, you're with your favorite people, and you've probably already spent a good amount on the night. If you're looking to class it up some more, look to spend over $100 on a bottle of Champagne, and look for an older vintage.
Example: Charles Heidsieck Blanc Des Millénaires Millesimé 1995
Medium: $40-$90 / French Champagne
You're at home, with family, and you want to have a classy night without going over the top. Stick with Champagne here, too. There are lots of great bottles in this price range, often rated over 4.0 on Vivino.
Example: Veuve Clicquot Champagne Brut Carte Jaune NV
Low: $10-$30 / Italian Prosecco
Celebrating with strangers? Bring a bottle of bubbly, but don't break the bank. Italian Proseccos are a nice option here, providing good quality at very reasonable prices. Bring a few, your new friends will appreciate it.
Example: LaMarca Prosecco NV