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I am an Engineer supporting this Sales Manager at my company and he gives me a gift ($50 to $100) every year in the last 7 years thanking me for my service. His advice, support and recommendation to the upper management has helped out my career tremendously. I have never given him anything and with my recent promotion, I want to use the chance to thank him. He likes alcohol and has a big wine rack in his basement. The only problem is that I am a non drinker and has absolutely no idea what to get for him. I can spend around ~$100 for something. Please give me some recommendations.
Thanks,
Last edited by MattNguyen; 01-10-2014 at 11:57 AM..
While I am quite the afficianado of fine wines, my tastes run more toward less than $30 a bottle... the most I ever spent was a cab/temp blend that was $59. So I texted my sister who's an assistant winemaker in California. She suggested Opus One. About $100 a bottle for a 2010 vintage. Too much for my liking (and hers, the most expensive wine she has where she works is $28 for a Super Tuscan blend, from the Temecula area in SoCal). Another higher-end wine she suggested is from Penfolds, specifically 2010 Bin 407, about $60. For historical appeal there's Chateau Montelena, featured in the movie "Bottle Shock". Early 2000's vintages are around $70, although the one and only time I was there (January 2010) I wasn't impressed for the $$$.
A decent blend that my wife really likes is Girard Artistry. About $40 a bottle retail, and available at a lot of retailers and on-line, if you live in a state that allows delivery (such as where I currently live which does not allow it).
Thank you Slug. A very good list. I will try to get the Opus One 2010. May be from BevMo. Maybe the Chateau Montelena if I can't fine the Opus One.
Quote:
Originally Posted by SluggoF16
While I am quite the afficianado of fine wines, my tastes run more toward less than $30 a bottle... the most I ever spent was a cab/temp blend that was $59. So I texted my sister who's an assistant winemaker in California. She suggested Opus One. About $100 a bottle for a 2010 vintage. Too much for my liking (and hers, the most expensive wine she has where she works is $28 for a Super Tuscan blend, from the Temecula area in SoCal). Another higher-end wine she suggested is from Penfolds, specifically 2010 Bin 407, about $60. For historical appeal there's Chateau Montelena, featured in the movie "Bottle Shock". Early 2000's vintages are around $70, although the one and only time I was there (January 2010) I wasn't impressed for the $$$.
A decent blend that my wife really likes is Girard Artistry. About $40 a bottle retail, and available at a lot of retailers and on-line, if you live in a state that allows delivery (such as where I currently live which does not allow it).
While my recommendations were for fairly available ~$100 wines, there are a number of other choices, including distilled spirits such as is recommended above. I enjoy a fine tequila, not the $7 stuff that college kids slam all at once or that ends up in a margarita. It's meant to be savored, especially a Highland Añejo (Chinaco comes to mind) at $60 a bottle. Reposado tequilas haven't aged as long and keep the agave characteristics better, and are cheaper. Another option: a good bourbon. I'm not a bourbon drinker but one I do enjoy is Woodford Reserve.
For wines, a good source of wine info is a boutique wine shop. A college of knowledge (usually), but they will likely also try to sell you from their stock.
The bad thing about choosing a wine for someone is you cannot tell by price whether or not it will be good. I have tried to find some fabulous wines I had at a restaurant, only to be disappointed when I tracked it down. If you get a fine bottle of liquor, you can be sure of consistency.
Could you please give me some examples of a fine liquor? Frankly I thought liquor is a common name for alcoholic beverages.
Quote:
Originally Posted by gentlearts
The bad thing about choosing a wine for someone is you cannot tell by price whether or not it will be good. I have tried to find some fabulous wines I had at a restaurant, only to be disappointed when I tracked it down. If you get a fine bottle of liquor, you can be sure of consistency.
If you can go up to $150. a very impressive gift would be a bottle of Johnny Walker Blue.
In NYC it goes for more than that. One problem is that not everyone likes Scotch, but if the giftee likes Scotch, blends are a safer bet than single malts. If the giftee is a Scotch drinker and open to a little adventure, I recommend Highland Park. It's a genuine single malt with a relatively gentle flavor profile. It's one of my favorite nectars, as is Edradour.
If all you know is that he's a wine lover, I wouldn't necessarily make the leap to other liquors/spirits. Perhaps wine accoutrements/accessories would be a route to go...a nice decanter or the like.
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