Over the next six weeks many of us will face the challenge of selecting a wine gift. Maybe you are invited to someone’s home for Thanksgiving; or maybe this will be a Christmas or Hanukah gift; or a contribution to a New Year’s Eve party.

Whatever the occasion, you will need to ask yourself some basic questions: How much do I want to spend? What are the tastes of the honoree? How much does he/she know about wines? Is this gift likely to be opened and served on the spot?

Keep in mind that the host or hostess is never obligated to serve a wine brought as a gift, and that a gift wine should never be chilled when presented.

Now, with these preliminaries out of the way, here are 11 ideas for wine gifts that will please.

1. Aged from your cellar: If you are a wine connoisseur, and the host is aware of this fact, consider giving a bottle from your personal cellar. This time of year is ideal for presenting a 5-7 year-old Cabernet. You can make or buy a label to that effect, or write a personal note on a card. Check Frugal’s wine cellar for older vintages.
2. Large format bottles: Super-premium and collector wines in large 1.5 Liter, 3.0 Liter and larger bottles get noticed.
3. Wine for the Feast: If the occasion is a dinner (such as Thanksgiving) and you are spending it with family or close friends, offer to bring the wine for dinner. You will need to know how many guests there will be, and what is being served. Frugal’s can help you determine what and how much to buy.
4. Champagne is always festive, and a bottle of good bubbly will always be appreciated. If the host decides to go for it, it can be quickly chilled and served. Here are some suggestions under $25: Montadon French Brut $24.99, Roederer Estate Anderson Valley Brut $18.99, Schug Carneros Rouge de Noirs Brut $24.99, Zardetto Italian Prosecco $12.99, Korbel California Brut Natural 2002 $12.99, Frexinet Spanish Brut Cava $8.99.
5. After dinner wine such as an ice wine or a port is appropriate. Gifts like this are often overlooked, but when the dinner conversation is flowing, a nice after dinner wine invites the guests to linger and savor the occasion and the wine. Here are some ideas: Chateau Ross Z 2002 late harvest zinfandel $17.99/ 375 ml., Selaks Ice Wine $16.99/ 375 ml., we can suggest a vintage port to fit your budget.
6. Mixed case of wines. A very nice assortment can be put together for $100-$200. This will be viewed as generous, and there will be something for every taste. If the recipient is interested in learning more about wine, select four different three-bottle tasting flights and include tasting suggestions.
7. Something special for a wine enthusiast will always be welcome. For example, this may something the person wants to try, but can’t justify buying. Or it could be a hard-to-find bottle. Or it could be some good wineglasses, such as Riedels. We can help with selecting special items.
8. Travel Inspired: Think about giving a wine from a special place. A wine from the hot wine countries of Spain, Australia, New Zealand, Argentina, Italy or Austria would delight someone originally from one of those countries, or who has traveled there.
9. Tennessee Wine. Most people have never had a Tennessee wine, nor even seen one. Chateau Ross, right here in Middle Tennessee, produces excellent dry reds. If Grandmother could appreciate some Muscadine wine, an old southern tradition, Frugal’s offers Lauderdale Cellars from Ripley, TN. This would be an unusual gift that would astonish and please.
10. Humor, Sports, or Label Inspired: Select from Wines with labels that say it all, such as Old Fart, Old Fart’s Wife, Fat Bastard, Rocky Top, Elvis Blue Christmas, or even select a wine from an estate which bears the recipients name. These are affordable fun gifts.
11. Low-Carb, Organic, Non-Alcoholic or Kosher Wines: If the recipient has special requirements, such as being on Atkins or South Beach diets, there are very good red and white wines available at $10 or less.

Let Jeff, Jerry, Jack or Kelly at Frugal’s, help you with all these ideas. We have all given wines and received wines. We have the biggest selection, the lowest prices, and the most knowledgeable staff. We can simplify the process of choosing a great wine gift and make your generosity and thoughtfulness remembered