NEED TO PURCHASE GIFT OF WINE FOR BUSINESS ASSOC.

[lagrandama]

There is a business associate with whom my company does a great deal of business. He and I have developed a sort of special friendship and he's always impressed me with his ethics, etc. He very generous and treats me and, not uncommonly, our whole office to dinners and drinks and other things. I would really like to buy him a nice bottle of wine and I know he likes a shiraz or chianti. I am not sure if he likes dry, sweet, etc. Is there a nice bottle that would be within 40-75 dollars that is safe to buy someone if you don't know if they prefer dry, sweet, etc.?

[Innkeeper]

Hi Lagrandama and welcome to the Wine Board. There are two good things about your two choices (Shiraz & Chianti); you would have to really scratch around to find one of either that isn't dry so that is what he likes, and secondly almost all of either that are currently released can be drunk (no aging required). Recommend to visit one of the outstanding wine stores in your great city, such as Chambers Street, and tell them to guide you with what they have available. You should have no problem finding a first class bottle of each for the amount of money you wish to spend.

[winoweenie]

Hi LGD and welcome to the board. At the 35-50 price point I can't think of anything that can surpass the Robert Craig Affinity, 2001 vintage. Luscious juice. WW