First things first—does your friend prefer red or white?
If you're lucky, they love both, which means you get to bring your favourite.
This post is all about wines that make great gifts or are perfect for sharing with a friend—without stretching your budget.
I’ve put together a few recommendations you should be able to find at your local liquor store for around $25. To keep things short and sweet, I’m breaking this topic into three posts (not back-to-back), covering red, white, and rosé. Let’s start with red because it's always my first choice.
For the friend who loves to snack, chat, and keep things laid-back, a Gamay is a perfect pick. This light-bodied wine is bursting with bright fruit flavours, dry, and effortlessly easy to drink. With low tannins, it feels smooth and light on the palate, while its high acidity makes it a great match for rich, fatty, or oily foods.
Pair it with chips or put together a simple charcuterie board, and enjoy it with a Georges Duboeuf Beaujolais-Villages or Beaujolais-Villages Les 3 Madones (see picture for reference). If you can’t find these exact bottles, ask a store rep for a Gamay with similar characteristics!
For the friend who is the life of the party and always up for an adventure, Lambrusco Reggiano Frizzante Medici Ermete Concerto is a perfect choice. Made similarly to Prosecco, Lambrusco grapes are fermented in a large tank with added yeast, giving the wine its signature light sparkle.
Sparkling reds tend to be a bit sweeter, so check the label for sugar content—I like to go for a semi-dry to dry option with 15 grams of sugar or less. Most Lambruscos have a slight sweetness and a lively fizz, making them a fun and unique pick for a girls’ night or celebration.
Expect bright fruit flavours balanced by tannins and acidity, making this a great match for meat lovers' pizza—the bubbles and acidity cut through the richness of the cheese and meats beautifully. Just be sure to chill the bottle before serving, as this one drinks best cold! Note: Lambrusco is the grape variety grown in Italy. Emilia-Romagna is the region where the grape is grown.
For the friend who is structured and sophisticated, a Cabernet Sauvignon or Bordeaux Blend is the way to go. One of my personal favorites—introduced to me by my uncle—is Three Finger Jack Cabernet Sauvignon. It’s a fantastic wine at a great price point, making it an easy go-to.
A California Cabernet Sauvignon is usually a safe bet thanks to the region’s ideal weather conditions, which allow Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon Blanc grapes to reach their full potential. Chile is another great place to look for Cab Sauv, as it offers some of the best value-for-money wines (but more on that in another post!).
Three Finger Jack Cabernet Sauvignon shines when paired with rich, hearty meals like steak. While I’m not a mushroom fan, I have to admit that a dish with a mushroom-based sauce would also complement this wine beautifully. Expect bold black fruit flavours—blackcurrant and black cherry—balanced by high acidity and firm tannins. Since this is a full-bodied wine, it will feel heavier on the palate, making it perfect for those who love a bold and structured red.
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My preference is white wines but a few years back I wanted to try red and I was recommended Beaujolais Villages, I have say it is a very nice smooth wine.
It is still my go to for a light smooth red.
I love a cab sav, looking forward to trying your suggestion!