Please help me choose a good gift

[FedoraDave]

This is perhaps a little off-topic, since it's a beer forum, but I figured a few people here would be experienced enough to help me out.

I want to get my brother a nice bottle of very good wine for Christmas, but I know nothing about wine. And he knows a thing or two about good wine, so I don't want to make a mistake. We've been averaging about $30-$35 per gift, so that's a price range, and getting a couple of nice bottles wouldn't be out of the question, either.

Any suggestions? Thanks in advance.

[FrozenInTime]

Does he like a sweet white wine? We love a good german wine, Schmidt & Sone, Auslesse. It is sweet but not over bearing, great taste. If he likes it Very sweet, look towards an Ice Wine, pretty spendy if you can find it. I bet he would love Auslesse, you can find them, they go between $12 to $18. There are a couple Sweet Reds we like from the west coast but I can think of the names off the top of me head. If sweet reds are his thing, let me know and I will run to the wine cellar and see what we have.

I only recommend that brand as we toured the winery and met the owners a couple times whilst stationed in Germany. Very good family. There are others out there just a good, just make sure it's from Germany as they do it best. Blue Nun actually has a good ice wine, but EXPENSIVE.

[RickBeer]

How about a gift certificate to a wine store? Or a Visa or American Express gift card? Or this http://www.wsjwine.com.

I do not drink wine, know little about it, would never attempt to buy it for someone. Think of if he had to buy you nice beer, and didn't know anything of your tastes. Either find an expert store or let him pick his own.

[Chuck N]

There's got to be some local vineyards/wineries in you neck of the woods. We've got several around here and they're all very knowledgeable and helpful when it comes to choosing wine. They're also a very nice place to take the missus for a quiet afternoon or evening. Beats the Hell out of a noisy bar. (Except a lot of them around here do not sell beer. )

[Brewbirds]

How about a nice Port?

It would make a good Christmas gift as a wine version of a winter jacket. Something to sip on after meal and will last a little longer than a bottle of wine might.

[FedoraDave]

Good answers; they've given me something to think about. He lives on Long Island, which is actually becoming renowned for its wineries. Maybe I'll look online for a vineyard near him and see if I can order a gift certificate.

[Gymrat]

What color of box does he like?

[FedoraDave]

I figured out what to do. I did a search of Long Island vineyards, and found quite a few, which I knew would happen. But one of them was right near where he lives, and they have gift certificates, so I ordered one online. He won't have to travel very far to get there, and he'll be able to pick out exactly what he wants. He may even be familiar with the vineyard already.

That was pretty easy.

[DaYooper]

I figured out what to do. I did a search of Long Island vineyards, and found quite a few, which I knew would happen. But one of them was right near where he lives, and they have gift certificates, so I ordered one online. He won't have to travel very far to get there, and he'll be able to pick out exactly what he wants. He may even be familiar with the vineyard already.

That was pretty easy.

I was just going to suggest that. Depending on the wine drinker, some can be adventurous like beer drinkers and like things a bit off the wall, but some are also very picky about what they want, so if you end up getting them something they may like, it will end up being a first course pre-dinner wine that really doesnt get enjoyed. It is also nice to be able to go to a winery on someone else's dime and decide to pick up three bottles of decent wine or one great one.