We all know that feeling when we’re trying to impress our best friend by bringing a selected bottle of wine to his or hers birthday party. Here are some tips to help you choose the best wine for this special occasion.

1. HOW TO CHOOSE THE RIGHT WINE
FOR A BIRTHDAY PRESENT
7 Tips for Choosing the Best Birthday Present Ever

2. 1.DON’T LET A TIGHT BUDGET STOP YOU
If you can’t afford a decent bottle on
your own, it’s usually a good idea to
ask other friends to contribute. You
don’t have to spend a fortune, a
beautifully tasting bottle of wine can
be bought for somewhere around 18
to 20 euros.

3. 2. PAY ATTENTION
TO THE TIME OF
YEAR
Pick a wine that goes well with the
season. For instance, choose a light
Sauvignon blanc for Summer, a nice
oaky Chardonnay with a hint of
vanilla for Fall, a heavy Cabernet
Sauvignon for Winter, and
something mineral and slightly
herbaceous, such as Slovenia’s
native Zelen or Pinela, for Spring.

4. 3. YOU DON’T HAVE TO KNOW MUCH
Ask a connoisseur for advice. There are
numerous web pages where you can
get help from experts, if you’re shopping
online. If not, and you decide to visit a
store, ask a sommelier in your local
wine shop.

5. 4. THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX
Choosing from the colorful
selection of bottles is never easy
and you shouldn’t be afraid to
pick something that stands out.
It’s also a good idea to do some
experimenting first and maybe
choose a wine you recently tried
in a restaurant, or one that you
liked at a Wine Tasting.

6. 5. THINK OF YOUR FRIENDS
TASTE & PERSONALITY
If you know he or she has a sweet tooth, you’ll most likely get it right by choosing
a dessert type of wine. Sweet Muscat or a Traminer ar two good examples. On the
other hand, if your friend is known for being more conservative, you are better off
choosing a sparkling wine. In that case make sure it was produced by the
traditional method (not charmat). Alternately you may also chose a lighter red
wine, such as a fruity Barbera or an elegant Pinot Noir.

7. 6. DON’T BE
FOOLED BY AN EYE-
CATCHING LABEL
Looks can be deceiving! No matter
how delicious a bottle may look, the
taste of its content is not necessarily
as great. Follow the preceding
advice, stick to mid-range prices and
consult an expert. Sometimes the
best wine comes in the strangest
looking package.

8. 7. BUY A FEW BOTTLES
If you’re not on a budget, or you’re buying
the wine with a whole bunch of friends,
don’t feel obliged to limit yourself to just
one bottle. Pick a few and assemble them
in a gift box. That way you’ll offer your
friend a larger array of flavors and let him
or her choose which one is best.

9. BOTTOMS UP!
These are our two cents on choosing the perfect wine for a birthday present. That
being said you should trust your gut. Remember that in wine there will always be
truth – no matter what the taste. Bottoms up!
winetastingljubljana.com