Wine Recommendation for a Gift Please

My favorite red is Ravenswood Zinfandel (it's not a white zinfandel, but a true red zinfandel, totally different). It should cost around $20, so it's not expensive, but I would choose it over more expensive wines.

I agree with Diane that you should probably bring something for the grad.

As for wine, I enjoy learning about wine and take wine classes and things like that. But rather than recommend a wine, I will recommend an "idea" - if you do not have a favorite wine yourself, how about gifting a wine with some kind of "meaning".

For example, in case the daughter was born in 2001, 2001 was a great year for merlot. Some of those merlots will be *very* expensive, but if you look around you can find a reasonable one.

Or any other 2001 vintage wine. Or a wine grown in the state where she will attend college.

Just a thought for a way to make it "fun".

I think if it were me going to a grad party and I was going to spend $40 on the parents, I'd be more inclined to get a card for the grad, and tuck in a $20, and then do a nice bottle of wine for about $20/$25 for hosts. That way you're covered and it's nice for both.

I think they just won't have a table for gifts set up, and no opening of gifts at the party, but cards will be happening (probably a basket) and you can be sure the grad would appreciate money - but not everyone will be bringing some. I think it would be nice though where really, it's their party (but I agree, parents are huge in the whole scheme of things).

I tend to always bring wine along to parties/dinners/getogethers - but I don't bring $40 ones - but that's just me. Even my fussiest friends like $25 ones.

I think your new coworker might then feel (if ever you have a getogether) they'd have to get you a $40 bottle. I'm just thinking ahead. I'd keep it simple :)

Actually, I'd ignore the "no gifts" thing (since they said "not necessary" vs. "not appreciated") and either give the kid a check (I like to give their graduation year, so $20.19 this year). Or, if there's time, get a gift card to her college bookstore so she can get a tee shirt or other college-themed item.

It's nice that they included you even though you don't know them well - perhaps this is a nice chance to get to know other coworkers and so they didn't want to leave you out. If you're set on wine, I wouldn't necessarily go for a $40 bottle unless you know they are connoisseurs. A hostess gift doesn't usually run that high, and the party is technically for their daughter, so I don't think you need to go overboard. I have a friend with a wine importing business and a sophisticated palate, and most of his stuff runs $21-$29 even though it's temperature controlled every step of the way from France to the US. I'd go to a good liquor store and ask to speak to someone who can make good recommendations. Sometimes a local wine is nice, something you and even your coworker doesn't know about. I was shocked to find there's a winery in the the next town over - and the local wine merchant was my source. And it's not baking in the heat being shipped from somewhere else in the country - a nice bonus.

I do think the idea of having that wine at home when they come back from dropping her off is a nice touch, though. Maybe put something like that in your note to them?

I'd gift them their favorite wine not at the graduation party but after their daughter has left for collage around mid to late August.
A graduation is all about the daughter and even if they don't want gifts - cash is always appreciated - it's what the teen needs when hitting Bed, Bath and Beyond when shopping to equip a dorm room - they need bedding and a lot of stuff.
Between graduation and leaving for collage is a short summer - there's a flurry of planning. orientation, preparation, dorm move in.
Parents have the long drive home - and I almost made it all the way (5 hours) before I burst into tears.

When their nest is newly empty the parents will love that wine.
I like Moscato myself - it's sweet - and I know nothing about reds.

I am a Cab drinker and love a great Cab. Some favorites:

Decoy (by Duckhorn) about $25 is my go to for myself when I want to enjoy a good wine.
Duckhorn would be a step up and more pricey but good.

Caymus is an all time favorite of ours but your looking $50+ depending on the year.

Jordan and Penfold are good as well both around $30+.

I go to wine tastings/dinners at our club about once every 8-12 weeks and love trying new great wines.

Also, we have a large box store called Total Wine and they have everything. They have some of the best employees who are well versed in wines of all price ranges and varieties. They are my go to with questions.

Have fun!

Hubby gave me a bottle of Stag Leap for mother's day. It's a lovely cab for around $40. It's one of my favorites.

I agree with a commentor below about dividing those $40 and slipping $20 in a card for the graduate and you can get a nice red with the other $20. I live in Costa Rica and my favorite is a non expensive Chilean Carmenere. However, if I want to go high end (wines are expensive here), I love an Australian red blend called 19 Crimes (around $22 here), which is bold and reminds me of Port wine.

i don't get how to recommend a wine for someone whose tastes i don't know. i mean, your thought of a cab or merlot is already based on more knowledge of them than i have.

i don't think there is a generic wine category that works for everyone.

either you know what you like or you don't. if you don't, you just buy that cab or merlot and assume they'll like having it around to offer their guests if they don't care for it personally.

or flowers.

khairete
S.