Wine can be a classic gift choice for any occasion; birthdays, anniversaries, retirement, weddings or for thank you gifts. Selecting the right wine can be a difficult task, especially if you’re not sure of the type of wine the recipient prefers. Here are a few helpful hints for picking out the right bottle of wine to satisfy even the most scrutinizing tastes.

There are several different criteria to consider when choosing the right bottle of wine for a gift. You’ll want to consider the recipients taste, nature of the occasion and purpose of the gift. Budget will definitely come into play, but there are always great wines to be found in every price range. Once you determine the type of wine you would like to purchase, you will want to select a retailer with experts to help you make your selection within your budget.

Selecting type of wine

If you know from the beginning what the recipient’s tastes are, then you’re in luck. You can skip right down to step two and determine your price range. Not everyone is lucky enough to know what type of wine everyone likes; you may have an idea, but not know for sure. For the later, this advice is for you.

To begin with, if you are looking to be safe, choose a Chardonnay as a white or a Merlot as a red; as most wine drinkers like these 2 types and are not always too particular to a certain taste or style. If you are unsure, consider buying one of each. The pinot noir always makes a well received gift, as do Italian Amaroenes.

You could also try to go a different route and expand their wine tastes by introducing them to a grape, or "varietals," that they might not have tried yet like a Barbara, Gamay or Gewurztraminer. Making these distinctive choices may turn the recipient on to something new. Breaking the mold is always a good way to make a lasting impression.

Champagne for any occasion

No matter what the occasion champagne, or sparkling wine, is always appropriate. Most people enjoy a glass of champagne, but rarely buy it for themselves. There is a vast array of choices, whether it is true champagne or sparkling wine, in every price range. You can choose vintage Champagne or another prestige cuvee. Most bubbly is non-vintage, meaning that it’s blended from base wines made in different vintages before it goes through the second fermentation that adds the natural carbonation. Vintage sparkling wines, however, are rarer and made from grapes grown only in the year indicated on the bottle. Vintage champagne and sparkling wine can be an elegant gift but is often priced over $100 a bottle. If you want to go this route, one of the highest review vintage champagnes is Charles Heidsieck 1995 Blanc des Millénaires and can be found for around $100 a bottle. There are also excellent choices that are under $30. Wine Spectator gave Gloria Ferrer Sonoma Brut NV 90 points out of 100 and is priced around $20.

Something aged for birthdays and Anniversaries adds an extra special touch

Give a bottle of something slightly aged as a special treat. Very few people have a place to store their wines safely until they gain the mellow texture and more intricate flavors of maturity. Some regions and grape varieties are better known for their aging ability than others. This is true of the pinot noirs and chardonnays from France's Burgundy. You can also choose a gift of an older Cabernet, Bordeaux or Tuscan to put an extra special touch to your gift. Even two to three years can make a difference if the wine has been stored correctly.

Hostess gifts

For the host who likes wine and food and who regularly serves them at the table, a "food-friendly" wine is always welcomed. Affordable, balanced red wine that works with a variety of menu items is a great choice. It also doesn’t need to be chilled, which makes it convenient.

Riesling also qualifies as a good hostess gift given its versatility and sheer brilliance in the glass. Not everyone buys Riesling, but most love it when they drink it.

Another choice is to find out what will be served at dinner and pair the wine with the meal. Traditionally, red wines were served with meats, and white wines with fishes and pastas, but this is not necessarily true anymore. Pairings today are now matched by heaviness. For example, if you are serving a red meat but wish to drink white wine, pair it with a heavy chardonnay. If you like red wine but are serving a shrimp scampi, try pairing it with a pinot noir, which is much a lighter red.

Presentation

Sometimes the presentation of the wine can be half the fun of giving it. Here are a few ideas.

Pair their wine for them. Attach a card around the neck of the bottle with a food pairing suggestion. When buying a Shiraz, suggest they uncork it the next time they order in pizza. Have a barbeque lover? A spicy Zinfandel is perfect. Picking up Thai on the way home? Gewurztraminer. The options are endless

Is this gift for a special occasion? A golden anniversary? Wedding Gift? Milestone birthday? Why not personalize the wine label with their "vintage" and some wine "puns" to make the gift even more memorable. Let them know it’s their birthday and they should "Wine a little, they’ll feel better" or that they are "Aged like fine wine, fruity and complex." Whatever you choose, custom wine labels can be designed to fit any occasion and personality.

Want to preserve the original label? You can purchase label removing kits online for around $7.

Choosing wine should be a pleasurable experience, one that you savor. Enjoy the process and the enjoyment you get from giving a well chosen classic gift.