Wine Gift Basket

One of the reason that got me starting blogging about wine is last Christmas. I received a gift basket from a friend of mine that knew I was a big time wine lover. The tough was very nice but the present was very sad. It was certainly not about the money he spend on the gift but more about the content of the basket itself. I would bet you the basket was worth $75 bucks. Absolutely worthless.

Two bottles of wine ( I won't tell you what the wine was by respect to my friend....Let's just say a Chardonnay and a Merlot from California were not that exiting to me)

Wafers cookies
Blue cheese
Some really weird preserves
Some really weird condiments
Crackers (OK)


Believe me this was given to me with all the best intentions in the world.

But

If you really want to give a Wine gift basket to a wine lover, here's some suggestions:

1 Bottle of Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand preferably from the Malborough region
1 Bottle of Shiraz from Australia
or
1 Bottle of Cabernet Sauvignon from NAPA

Some gourmet crackers( pick something local but trendy)

Chocolate ( Something local and very good)

Cashews or Macadamia nuts

A nice Asiago cheese spread or nice Brie ( no blue cheese)

Some type of almond biscotti or any other types of gourmet cookies



What I am trying to say is do not buy a gift basket from the mall....

All the stuff mentioned above is pretty basic, which will be on average around $25 to $40. What will really make a difference in yor basket is, how much you spend on the wine. Between the two bottles it should not be more than $50, which would make your basket worth between $60 and $95. Really, if your basket becomes worth more than $100, you should think about an other gift.