When family buys you wine for Christmas

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#1 Post by **Brian Tuite** » December 25th, 2016, 12:49 pm

Part of being a wine geek is dealing with family giving you wine as gifts because "Brian drinks wine." Every year my MIL buys me a bottle of cooking wine. Yellow Tail Merlot, Fancy Pants Cabernet, whatever...

Earlier this year her Sister bought me a bottle for my birthday. Before she went shopping she asked my Wife what I like. She said, he likes Syrah and he drinks a lot of Bedrock. I got a Bedrock North Coast Syrah. She said "That's the most money I have ever spent on a bottle of wine." LOL

Fast forward 9 months, she must have told my MIL, "Don't bother buying Brian wine unless you get him something good, otherwise he'll just use it to cook with." I opened the bag this morning '14 Bedrock Griffin's Lair. I almost fainted.

Has someone really surprised you this Christmas?

davidsturek · #2 Post by **davidsturek** » December 25th, 2016, 12:55 pm

My wife doesn't go for wine per se, but she's very generously build me a healthy Zalto collection.

#3 Post by **John Glas** » December 25th, 2016, 1:16 pm

Gift card!

KatrinaBI · #4 Post by **KatrinaBI** » December 25th, 2016, 1:26 pm

No dodgy wine gifts this xmas. But it has been a good year for successfully re-gifting past acquisitions.

A bottle of Courtney Benham Napa Cab that I received a couple years ago from my in-laws was gleefully accepted by my daughter's saxophone teacher.

A bottle of Veuve Cliquot gifted to me for my 50th made my hair stylist very happy last week.

A bottle of 2012 Passopisciaro that I would ordinarily have loved (but have not drunk because of the 15.5% abv) made my somewhat wine-geeky neighbor very happy when I gifted it to him yesterday in return for his gift of home-made candies.

It's been good to rememer that somebody somewhere can be excited by the wines you don't care for.

#5 Post by **Robert.A.Jr.** » December 25th, 2016, 1:32 pm

My MIL gets me a very generous gift certificate every year to a very decent loca wine store. She knows I'm a picky MOFO. still trying to comprehend my wife buying me El Nido.

#6 Post by **brigcampbell** » December 25th, 2016, 1:37 pm

Let's just say one side of my family is a little "rough". About 10 years ago a we brought wine to a Xmas eve dinner, for ourselves, and it got crushed.

Next year I bring a bunch of stuff to clear out of the cellar. Crushed. Nobody knows or cares so I bring the wine every year.

This year my cousin whispers "we'd like to have you over for dinner, just us, and we'll open some nice wine" what what what?

They liked a Paso wine I brought a few years before so they drove up and went wine tasting. Came home belonging to 4 clubs! Asked if I've tasted Isosceles. Put a smile on my face, best gift this year.

I'll have that "club talk" next but good for them, they're totally into it.

Michael Francis · #7 Post by **Michael Francis** » December 25th, 2016, 2:34 pm

We get wine every year, often stuff we'd be afraid to use for cooking. We just smile and say thank you. Some of the bottles make good display pieces for wine decor through the house.

Lee Short · #8 Post by **Lee Short** » December 25th, 2016, 2:58 pm

They know better than to buy me wine, but I do sometimes get wine accessories. Mostly stuff I don't need but occasionally they hit the mark.

Corey N. · #9 Post by **Corey N.** » December 25th, 2016, 3:11 pm

I received a wine-themed nutcracker. I get the wine tie-in, but wtf about me says "Corey would love a nutcracker"?

Ok, besides Bobby?

#10 Post by **Michael Martin** » December 25th, 2016, 3:20 pm

My brother last year bought me a $50 bottle of merlot from some ex NASCAR guy turned vineyard owner in North Carolina. http://www.childressvineyards.com

It sucked.

#11 Post by **Dave H.** » December 25th, 2016, 3:26 pm

Corey N. wrote:I received a wine-themed nutcracker. I get the wine tie-in, but wtf about me says "Corey would love a nutcracker"?

Ok, besides Bobby?

I also got a wine-themed nutcracker. Luckily, it also came with the aforementioned gift certificate to good local wine shop.

Blake R Maso · #12 Post by **Blake R Maso** » December 25th, 2016, 3:43 pm

My sister and fiancé, after being very generous with gifts handed me one last box.. now, even though they don't think they know much about wine, they're pretty serious and have amazingly talented palates and knowledge.. they gave me a box of wine condoms and busted out laughing when I opened them... I'm sure I'll find a use for them soon though haha

#13 Post by **Scott E. Wade** » December 25th, 2016, 4:52 pm

You get a 2014 Caymus Cab Sauv.

You are grateful they spent so much and thought of wine for you.

I'll throw it in the cellar for 5-7 years and I'll find it rummaging around my cellar some steak night in the summer of 2022 and figure what the heck! and fire it open and pour it around.

#14 Post by **Neal.Mollen** » December 25th, 2016, 4:55 pm

Robert Alfert, Jr. wrote:My MIL gets me a very generous gift certificate every year to a very decent loca wine store. She knows I'm a picky MOFO. still trying to comprehend my wife buying me El Nido.

The El Nido was for the pool boy. Quick thinking of her to pretend it was for you

#15 Post by **Dan Hammer** » December 25th, 2016, 6:20 pm

My kids have done right by me over the years:

3 - 2013 Sojourn Pinot Noir Reuling Vineyard Sonoma Coast. I like my Sojourn's with some age; but they kept pressing me, so I popped one a few months after they gave it to me. Not one of my better experiences.

1 - 2011 Coup de Foudre Cabernet Sauvignon. Got this almost 2 years ago. Only 1 note on CT. Seems to be expensive. Anyone know about this wine?

2 - 2008 Château Léoville Poyferré. Got this for Father's day in 2009.

So far, my kids are doing ok.

#16 Post by **Randy Bowman** » December 25th, 2016, 6:32 pm

Never received wine for Christmas. Don't know why. They all know we like wine.

#17 Post by **brigcampbell** » December 25th, 2016, 6:54 pm

Michael Martin wrote:My brother last year bought me a $50 bottle of merlot from some ex NASCAR guy turned vineyard owner in North Carolina. http://www.childressvineyards.com

It sucked.

Too funny. BTW he's not just some NASCAR guy, he's one of the wealthiest people in North Carolina.

I'm sure the wine drinks.

#18 Post by **Jorge Henriquez** » December 25th, 2016, 6:57 pm

Robert Alfert, Jr. wrote:still trying to comprehend my wife buying me El Nido.

Hope it's not an insinuation that you might be a "pájaro".

#19 Post by **Michael Martin** » December 25th, 2016, 6:59 pm

brigcampbell wrote:
Michael Martin wrote:My brother last year bought me a $50 bottle of merlot from some ex NASCAR guy turned vineyard owner in North Carolina. http://www.childressvineyards.com

It sucked.
Too funny. BTW he's not just some NASCAR guy, he's one of the wealthiest people in North Carolina.

I'm sure the wine drinks.

No, it's bad.

#20 Post by **brigcampbell** » December 25th, 2016, 7:12 pm

Auto-correct changed stinks to drinks!

I believe you.

#21 Post by **Michael Martin** » December 25th, 2016, 7:19 pm

brigcampbell wrote:Auto-correct changed stinks to drinks!

I believe you.

#22 Post by **Ed Steinway** » December 25th, 2016, 8:24 pm

Not wine, but my father-in-law and his SO bought us a Cuisinart Cordless Wine Opener. They said they have one and enjoy it and figured we would too. We are looking forward to trying it out!

Thanks,
Ed

#23 Post by **Joe Raymond** » December 25th, 2016, 8:27 pm

Got a 2003 Pavie from my in laws once. Shocked the hell out of me. They asked me a wine I liked and mentioned it once months before Christmas without a thought about it and it showed up Christmas Day. To say I was surprised is an understatement

#24 Post by **Howard Cooper** » December 26th, 2016, 8:53 am

My daughter knows where I buy wine so she just goes to people I buy wine from and follows what they say. I have gotten Vatan and Shaffer-Frolich, for example, from her in the past.

#25 Post by **Rob Weaver** » December 26th, 2016, 9:29 am

Pleased to have received a 2000 Gaja Sperss this year. Truly unexpected and appreciated.

Nolan E · #26 Post by **Nolan E** » December 26th, 2016, 9:44 am

Ed Steinway wrote:Not wine, but my father-in-law and his SO bought us a Cuisinart Cordless Wine Opener. They said they have one and enjoy it and figured we would too. We are looking forward to trying it out!

Thanks,
Ed

Not sure I've seen a wine opener with a cord...

#27 Post by **Brian Tuite** » December 26th, 2016, 9:52 am

Nolan E wrote:
Ed Steinway wrote:Not wine, but my father-in-law and his SO bought us a Cuisinart Cordless Wine Opener. They said they have one and enjoy it and figured we would too. We are looking forward to trying it out!

Thanks,
Ed
Not sure I've seen a wine opener with a cord...

"Cordless" is just a generic term for battery operated.

#28 Post by **Harris Goldberg** » December 26th, 2016, 10:25 am

Had a patient who in a million years I would never thought knew about wine lay a 2010 La Gerla Brunello on me.... what a nice gift.

#29 Post by **David K o l i n** » December 26th, 2016, 10:41 am

Corey N. wrote:I received a wine-themed nutcracker. I get the wine tie-in, but wtf about me says "Corey would love a nutcracker"?

Ok, besides Bobby?

Nutcracker, ball buster - same old same old

#30 Post by **Brandon J.** » December 26th, 2016, 11:53 am

Man, I think I have ALL of you beat.

A few years ago, bless her heart, my aunt got me an entire case from Nakedwines.com

Boy was that rough. In fact, I still have two bottles that I can't get rid of.

For the most part, I get great gifts. People who know wine enough get me cool stuff and people who don't know wine go to one of my favorite local wine shops and get me gift cards so I do pretty well.

#31 Post by **dcornutt** » December 26th, 2016, 1:41 pm

One bottle each of. 2013 Mugneret Gibourg Ruchottes, 2014. JJ Confuron Clos Vougeot and 2014 Dujac MSD. I have them trained

Chris V. · #32 Post by **Chris V.** » December 26th, 2016, 1:46 pm

I can't shake getting wine accessories. I'm sure I have every conceivable wine vacume sealer, preserver, aerator, chiller, bucket. Got another one this year. Don't know how to politely say that enough is enough. I've never received a bottle of wine for Christmas except when someone is coming for dinner and gives it as a hospitality gift.

#33 Post by **Jay Miller** » December 26th, 2016, 2:05 pm

No family wine gifts but I did get a bottle of Argentinian Malbec from my boss' boss. I think I might have set some sort of speed record for regifting. Didn't even make it back to my desk.

Brian Gilp · #34 Post by **Brian Gilp** » December 26th, 2016, 2:18 pm

Michael Martin wrote:My brother last year bought me a $50 bottle of merlot from some ex NASCAR guy turned vineyard owner in North Carolina. http://www.childressvineyards.com

It sucked.

I used to travel to North Carolina frequently and have tried a number of Childress wines. I have never had a red I liked. Actually, I haven't had a red from North Carolina that I felt was good.

However, I have had better luck with whites. In some years the base Chard or Viognier from Childress can be a nice wine and was priced well at under $15. But vintage variation is huge so I would never buy more than one without tasting first.

#35 Post by **PaulMills** » December 26th, 2016, 3:41 pm

No one in my family has bought me wine, not even my wife. My parents have given me a couple of cheap bottle openers which go silently into the night, to Goodwill.

My wife made a birthday cake for a friend one year at his wife's request. As a thank you, the friends wife gave her a bottle of Barefoot because "she knew we were into wine". The cake was a gift and we did not need a reciprocal gift, especially not Barefoot.

James Wright · #36 Post by **James Wright** » December 26th, 2016, 4:12 pm

when i got my masters degree, Ma gave me a used station wagon for hauling around my harpsichord, and in the back was a case of Laphroaig...

ohwaitaminute – thats not wine...

NoahR · #37 Post by **NoahR** » December 26th, 2016, 4:15 pm

I am supremely glad no one in my family tries to buy me wine. Every time I get a "what kind of wine does Noah like" enquiry from a patient or FOAF through a friend, it ends up a disaster. I should really just say, go to MacArthur/Bassins, or Weygandt, or, what the hell, email the Concierge service at Total Wine and just let them know you know me...

#38 Post by **Robert.A.Jr.** » December 26th, 2016, 4:42 pm

James Wright wrote:a case of Laphroaig...

ohwaitaminute – thats not wine...

Yes, yes it is. And a most wonderful one at that!

James Wright · #39 Post by **James Wright** » December 26th, 2016, 4:54 pm

Robert Alfert, Jr. wrote:
James Wright wrote:a case of Laphroaig...

ohwaitaminute – thats not wine...
Yes, yes it is. And a most wonderful one at that!

aye, laddie – the bonnie malted grape...

#40 Post by **Andrew Demaree** » December 26th, 2016, 5:31 pm

My wife and my dad both buy me wine for gifts, and generally do a great job. For Christmas, my wife gave me a bottle of 1994 Dunn cab (our anniversary year) and my dad gave me a bottle of 1997 La Jota 'Anniversary Release' cab.

#41 Post by **ykwon** » December 26th, 2016, 5:32 pm

Years ago before I really knew much about this hobby, the in laws gave me a bottle of 2005 Kapcsandy State Lane Vineyard. They knew I wanted to try Opus One and apparently got a recommendation from a local wine store they went shopping for my gift. Of course at the time, I had no idea what I just received and drank nothing but OR pinots. Few years later, I finally pulled the cork with the wife and thought, this is pretty good...

#42 Post by **Ed Steinway** » December 27th, 2016, 6:52 am

Nolan E wrote:
Not sure I've seen a wine opener with a cord...

"Cordless" is part of the product description on the outside of the box. I am not clever enough to think of that myself.

Thanks,
Ed

Anthony Sanford · #43 Post by **Anthony Sanford** » December 27th, 2016, 7:18 am

My wife actually "gathers" everyone's contributions in the family that wants to buy me gifts and gets me stuff that she knows I like (like a case of 2010 Cantemerle last year). This year, she got me four Riedel Sommelier glasses and a Coravin.

#44 Post by **ncostanzo1** » December 27th, 2016, 1:55 pm

My fiance got me a nice '13 Williams Selyem Block 10 Mass Selection Pinot this year, she went to pick up some wine we ordered and stayed for a tasting came home with this as a gift (it's now only available for purchase at the winery allegedly). She had to hide it for a few months because she knew there would be know where to hid it in either our actual wine fridge or racks without me noticing it...says a little something about our organization haha.

She's learned my tastes and interests in the 2 years we've been together so it wasn't a huge surprise but a nice one at that!

David Mc · #45 Post by **David Mc** » December 27th, 2016, 2:41 pm

Received a bottle of Barefoot Moscato in a nice wooden wine box with glass see-through window...

But it was a joke to see my reaction. Then I opened the 'real' present - Chappellet.

'A' for effort and creativity!

Bryan Carr · #46 Post by **Bryan Carr** » December 27th, 2016, 3:09 pm

My wife and I are so deep into this she usually gets me something spot on, this year it was 2 750s and a mag of 2011 Foillard Cote du Py and a 750 of the 2010 3.14. For my birthday it was half a case of Westerhold Syrah of various vintages.

Most surprising is a friend who usually plays it cool actually gives me quite considerate wine gifts, totally nailing my taste without any prompting, I think he's just a good listener and keeps good mental notes of what I'm into. Last year he gave me a CdP and this year he gave me a '14 Foillard Cote du Py.

A friend who doesn't really care about wine gets DeLille stuff for free all the time and he usually regifts it to us around the holidays.

Lauren's parents usually give us a couple bottles of PepperBridge Cab or Merlot on holidays, and my folks give us Gift Cards to Total.

I don't think I've ever gotten a misguided wine gift come to think of it. I think people that know what they're doing give wine and those that don't know I have lots of other way easier to buy for interests and go that direction.

Mel Hill · #47 Post by **Mel Hill** » December 27th, 2016, 4:40 pm

A sister & BIL are ITB so they always gift well!

bob parsons alberta · #48 Post by **bob parsons alberta** » December 27th, 2016, 6:09 pm

I am going to whisper...two friends both bought Wolf Blass Yellow Label Shiraz.

#49 Post by **Dan Hammer** » December 28th, 2016, 3:17 pm

I've been giving our neighbors young children toys for Christmas and birthdays the past several years. A year ago they gave me a bottle of $15 Napa cab as a gift. Ok. That's nice. It's the thought that counts.
Moments ago, I brought a small box of toys over for the children. The mid 30 something mommy knows I like wine, and she hands me a bottle from a small local shop. I couldn't help myself, so I took the bottle out of the bag and looked at the wine. It was a '12 Freemark Abbey Napa Cab. I responded with a that's a nice bottle. I was surprised in a good way.

Tyler Berry · #50 Post by **Tyler Berry** » December 29th, 2016, 3:14 am

Got a couple of freebie bottles from reps: 2009 Terredora Taurasi, something already on the list, but I'm looking forward to enjoying it with some short ribs, and the other was a Peachy Canyon Malbec which I popped open for the staff.