Wine makes a great gift no matter what the budget. A no brainer gift that, I doubt, gets “regifted” much. But, let’s face it… we all have people on our holiday gift lists that don’t warrant or might not appreciate an expensive bottle. The dilemma? How to choose a tasty bottle without giving away the fact that you didn’t spend much.

Here are a few tips-

First off, shop at your local, dedicated wine shop. Most shops run by wine geeks like myself aren’t interested in carrying the same big production wines that you’ll find at grocery stores and every chain liquor shop. So, you can make wine selections that the recipient won’t see on sale for $5.99 at Jewel or Binny’s! Also, odds are you’ll get a much better wine when you ask for a recommendation at a shop where they know and care about the selection, rather than the robots working for chain stores or the random pick at the grocer.

Second, think about the personality of the person receiving the gift. If they’re into wine, or just adventurous in general, you can find great values in wine made from grapes and regions that most people don’t know. Ask your wine seller about great values from southern France, southern Italy and Spain. If you think the recipient is more conservative or a complete wine novice, it’s probably better to stick with varietally labeled wines made from popular grape types. The most requested reds are Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir and Malbec. Thanks to the movie “Sideways”, many people insist they don’t like Merlot, so that might not be the best choice. In whites, Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Grigio are the most requested. I get a lot of negative comments about Chardonnay. People have tired of the oaky styles, so that might be one to avoid as well.

Here are a couple suggestions currently offered by Cellar Rat:

Naiara Malbec (Mendoza, Argentina) $11.99

A tasty, dark, rich Malbec with very elegant looking packaging. Malbec is immensely popular at the moment and this bottle should please just about any red wine fan. This could easily pass for a $20 bottle in both taste and looks.

Bliss Sauvignon Blanc (Mendocino, California) $11.99

First planted in 1947, the current generation of the Bliss family is making terrific wine using sustainable farming practices. Classic, citrusy, fresh Sauvignon Blanc at a great price. They make a nice Cabernet Sauvignon at the same price.

There are many other examples, proving that you can feel good about giving quality, interesting wines from small producers without breaking the bank.

Cheers and Happy Holidays!

We are excited to introduce a new addition to the PLRG team, Dean Schlabowske, owner of the amazing neighborhood wine shop Cellar Rat Wine Shop in Bucktown. Dean has worked in the retail wine trade in Chicago since 1990, most of the time as a buyer for two of the city’s largest retailers. His work has taken Dean to cellars of all the great wine producing regions of the world, including France, Italy, Australia, California and Oregon. While he surely has the knowledge and experience to see the most expensive wines, Dean says he gets the most joy from finding great wines at prices people can afford.

Twice a month, Dean will be recommending a new bottle of wine and teaching us a bit about it. Best of all, they will all be priced to please a PLRG.

Notro Sangiovese Bonarda 2008 (Mendoza, Argentina)

$8.99

When most wine drinkers think of Argentine wine, they think of Malbec- the hearty, full bodied grape brought to Mendoza from southwest France. However, Argentina has a large population of Italian immigrants, who brought Italian grape varieties and techniques to the region. The Notro Sangiovese/Bonarda is a terrific example of one such wine.

Sangiovese, which makes up 50% of the blend here, is most famous as the grape behind great Tuscan reds such as Chianti and Brunello di Montacino. Bonarda is planted in the north of Italy, in sections of Emilia Romagna, Piedmont and Lombardia but is not well known on an international scale. What is it with the Argentinian’s preference for grapes that are afterthoughts in their country of origin? Malbec is a minor blending variety in Bordeax, Torrontes is a little used Italian white grape and Bonarda is seldom drunk outside where it is grown in Italy. All are major players in Argentina though. Ah, well…it makes for some fascinating wines like this one!

Here’s a great chance to branch out and experience a range of flavors completely different from the Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec and Pinot Noir that most people are so fixated on. Unlike most reds you’d purchase for $8.99, this is no simple, grapey table wine. The wine is classically dry in style, has lovely, complex aromas of sage and earth with tart, dried cherry fruit on the palate. This would an ideal companion for a wide variety of foods but I think it would be ideal with a spicy red sauce pasta such as d’Arrabiata.

Cheers!

Dean a.k.a. “The Cellar Rat”

Cellar Rat Wine Shop
1811 W. North Ave.
Chicago,IL 60647
773.489.2728
www.cellarratchicago.com

Get 15% off any purchase of $40 or more. (Must present coupon to redeem).