People are always confused about gifting wine to their friends and unable to make the perfect pairing if they want to do it. Here in this article, we will try to answer a couple of questions in terms of perfect wine gifting on holiday seasons.

Q: We used to gift large pieces of Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese to the near and dear ones. This time, planning to add a fine bottle of premium wine also for a few. What are the best recommendations for wines to go well with cheese?

A: Parmigiano-Reggiano is one of the top cheese choices in the world, which is made from part-skim cow milk. Coming from the Emilia-Romagna region of Italy, this great cheese has a high admire. It can pair well with almost all of the premium range of wines, but there are certain ideal matches. Let’s explore:

• In the same manner, as to how Stilton combines best with the port and Roquefort, Parmigiano-Reggiano suits exquisitely with the Chianti Classico. It is a medium-weight red wine by Tuscany, which is lightly oaked with cherry-inflected, tart fruit. You may try for the reasonably priced variety of 2004 Chianti Classico or 2003 Geografico Chianti Classico, which are priced around $15.

• An even more obvious choice to make may be Morellino di Scansano, which comes from the Grosseto province of Tuscany, from the vineyards of San­gio­vese grapes. IT tends to much fruitier compared to our above choice of Chianti cousins. On considering Morellino di Scansano, you may look for the 2004 or 2003 bottling offered by Moris Farms or that of La Doga, which both priced below $20 at Sokolin.

• For another quality wine which is made close to Parma, which makes the infamous Parmigiano-Reggiano, you may try Gutturnio also, which is made of Bonarda and Barbera grapes. It comes from Colli Piacentini appellation as 2004 Castello di Luzzano Romeo.

• Another favorite pairing of wine with Parmigiano-Reggiano may be the frothy, zingy, dry, and chilled Lambrusco Reggiano. However, this option has nothing to do with the sweat and cheap Lambruscos of the 1970s. The Emilia-Romagna cows that produce milk for Parmigiano-Reggiano actually graze so close to the vineyards of Lambrusco Reggiano vineyards. One of the top choices to make in it will be the Medici Reggiano Lambrusco.

Q: Heard that premium Champagnes like the Cristal and Dom Perignon are perfect for gifting? However, whether those expensive Champagnes are better compared to the non-vintage cuvée varieties?

A: For the beginners, the cost of the prestige premium vintage Champagne may reflect the cost of grapes. However, vintage Champagne is the ideal blend of top-quality grapes and best vintages. Lesser grapes end up in basic bottling and then the cost of time adds up. Great champagnes gain complexity and texture through the aging process while it rests on the lees for fermentation. The longer it ages, the better the Champagne. You can see that the 1996 prestige Champagnes are only making their debut now. Then comes the cost of packaging. A great fancy gifting package also adds value to the price.
Some of the top prestige bottlings of Champaign to consider is Cuvée Sir Winston Churchill 1995 vintages, Taittinger Comtes de Champagne Rosé Brut 1995, Salon Blanc de Blancs Le Mesnil 1996, etc. However, while thinking of gifting, there are some excellent non-vintage Champagnes also available like Souverain Brut Nonvintage Champagne, Bollinger Special Cuvée Nonvintage Champagne, etc.