Have you ever received a gourmet basket with your favorite wine and other yummy goodies? A sophisticated gift of Champaign with caviar or a humble bottle of Chardonnay paired with old French cheeses? If yes, then you probably know what an awesome idea it is!

No matter what the occasion, learn here how to make your friends happy with this great selection of wine - and don’t forget to find among the best wine country gift baskets your own wonderful gift!

1. Merlot - is a soft and fruity dry red wine, which originated in the French region of Bordeaux. It is famous for its deep aromas of black cherry, currant, and green olive along with mint and tobacco tones. This wine is the most delicious when served slightly below room temperature to accompany simply prepared dishes, such as grilled chicken or a roast leg of lamb.

2. Pinot Noir - is chiefly associated with the Burgundy region of France. Joel Fleischman of Vanity Fair describes Pinot Noir as “the most romantic of wines, with so voluptuous a perfume, so sweet an edge, and so powerful a punch that, like falling in love, they make the blood run hot and the soul wax embarrassingly poetic.” Master Sommelier Madeline Triffon calls Pinot “sex in a glass”. This wine is one of the most popular in the world, despite the fact that it comes from a sort of grapes, which is difficult to cultivate and ferment into wine. Traditional types of Pinot Noir are famous for their fleshy, ‘countryside’ aroma, while modern forms have a lighter, fruiter flavour. It pairs well with lamb, pheasant, and duck, although the best match for this wine is grilled salmon topped with creamy mushrooms.

3. Riesling came from the river valleys of Germany. Unlike other wines, it rarely blends and, thus, remains a pure dry white wine with clear aromas of tropical fruit, flowers, and minerals. It has a sweet taste with notable acidity, which makes it one of a few wines that can stand up to the dishes of Chinese and Thai cuisines. Riesling can serve as a good balance to salty foods and to the light, delicate flavour of trout fried in butter. As with other white wines, dry Riesling is usually served at 52°F.

4. Chablis - is a clean and vibrant French white wine with a crisp dry flavour and a prominent mixture of sweetness and acidity. It is definitely a gourmet wine, which requires special food occasions. Chablis is the classic oyster companion and it also perfectly compliments expensive fish dishes of fine cuisine.

5. Cabernet Sauvignon - originally from Bordeaux, France, it is a popular dry wine fermented from the “king of red wine grapes”. In the mid-60s, it began to emerge as the most popular red wine in the United States. It has a rich and sophisticated aroma of cedar, berries, and chocolate, which varies depending on the region and age. This wines combines perfectly with pastas, meats, aged cheeses, and dark chocolate. Cabernet Sauvignon even has a proven medicinal qualities - it reduces the risk factors of Alzheimer’s disease!

Which ever wine from the above ones you choose, the person you want to get a gift for will truly appreciate your great sophisticated taste in fine wines!

About the Author

Amanda Brown is our Healthy Lifestyle Expert. Amanda lives in Canada, and her background includes Degrees in Ethnology, History, and Wholistic Therapies. Her true passion, though, lies in the fields of traditional nutrition, history of medicine… learn more about Amanda here.

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