Pick up a pack of TJ's brand new canned wine in refreshing white or rosé — ideal for all your upcoming fun in the sun.Simpler Wines Canned White & Rosé, $4.99, available at Trader Joe's.TJ's Grifone rosé is crisp and fruity without being overly sweet; the ideal under $5 warm weather refresher.Grifone Rosé, $4.99, available at Trader Joe's.This dry and bright green-white wine sings in spring with fresh notes of melon and apple — with a bit of bubbly effervescence to boot.Espiral Vinho Verde, $4.49, available at Trader Joe's.This bold, fruit-forward pinot boasts creamy hints of vanilla and pairs delectably with a cheesy charcuterie spread.Sphere Monterey County Pinot Noir, $6.99, available at Trader Joe's.It's officially springtime, y'all — and you know what that means? Rosé-time.Josefina Syrah Rosé, $5.99, available at Trader Joe's.Pontificis' French white has a delicate finish with fresh floral and fruity notes — ideal for sipping over your upcoming spring suppers.Pontificis Viognier-Roussanne-Marsanne, $6.99, available at Trader Joe's.

This Chilean Cab-Sauv sips like a true Californian with bold hints of dark fruits layered on top of a creamy vanilla-mocha finish — serve it up at your next steak (or pasta) dinner.Denada Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon, $7.99, available at Trader Joe's.Having a Friday fish feast? Pick up a bottle (or five) of this balanced Italian Pinot with hints of fruit and crisp citrus.Grifone Organic Pinot Grigio, $4.99, available at Trader Joe's.TJ's also does rosé all day with this California grenache — sweet and tangy with notes of ripened raspberries and cherries.Green Fin Grenache Rosé, $4.99, available at Trader Joe's.This California red blend has fresh notes of raspberries and strawberries with hints of toasted oak. For just under $4, it's less than $1 a glass.Terrain Vineyards 2014 Red Blend, $3.99, available at Trader Joe's.An Italian Pinot Grigio, Villa Sonia's 2013 bottle is light, crisp, and less than that cocktail you bought last night.Villa Sonia Pinot Grigio, $5.99, available at Trader Joe's.

This wine is not actually black, it's still a red — but a very dark, rich, red with fruity tasting notes and a spicy finish. Serve it at your next seance.Moon X Black Pinot Noir, $6.99, available at Trader Joe's.We're used to seeing bordeaux wines in reds, but leave it to TJ's to deliver us something out of the ordinary. Pick up a bottle of the Chateau de Sequin's white with a light-floral and tart-citrus finish.Chateau de Sequin Sauvignon de Sequin Bordeaux, $6.99, available at Trader Joe's.A California Pinot, Cherry Blossom is bursting with the taste of rich berries and chocolate — and again, costs less than your morning latte.Cherry Blossom Pinot Noir, $3.99, available at Trader Joe's.Pacific Grove's Chardonnay is a small-batch, barrel-aged wine with crisp and creamy tasting notes. Serve this up with your favorite shellfish dish.Pacific Grove Chardonnay, $5.99, available at Trader Joe's.TJ's Petite Reserves are special wines offered at special prices (a.k.a quality for cheap). This Zinfandel boasts a peppery spice with bold raspberry and cherry flavor.

Paso Robles Zinfandel, $7.99, available at Trader Joe's.A Hungarian-hailing Veltliner (we didn't know what that was either), Floriana's bottle is similar in taste to a Sauvignon Blanc — but with a little extra crispness.Floriana Grüner Veltliner, $5.99, available at Trader Joe's.Part of the reason the magnum of white zinfandel at the party I attended was more popular than the bottle of Bordeaux was because, standing next to each other on the table, the zinfandel actually looked far more impressive. best type of wine for fishMagnum bottles are a great choice for gifts, especially in a party setting, because they’re generous and festive, as well as helpful. cost of wine by the glassGiving your friend a magnum or two of a simple party wine, like Champagne or another sparkling wine, takes some of the pressure off of the host, since the wine is plentiful and it will appeal to most party guests who are familiar with good bubbly. best italian wine red

Save your standard bottles for intimate settings, like a dinner with fewer than four people, or give standard-sized bottles as standalone gifts after the party is over. And, as , don’t expect your host to open the wine you brought on the spot. Not only have other guests likely brought along their own bottles, but the host will often have drink arrangements made for the party in advance. Instead, present the bottle to the host with a note that reads, “For your cellar,” or explicitly tell the host that it’s a great wine that you would love for them to try “sometime,” rather than right this moment.good wine for a diet Large parties are just one setting in which you might give wine as a gift; old wine boxes for sale ukbirthday and wedding celebrations also call for a special bottle of wine. high end wine los angeles

These wines should be in tune with your friend’s tastes, and you should spend more on a bottle for this occasion than you would on wine for a party. With wedding gifts, either go big or forget wine and get something off the registry. As painful as it is to hand over a bottle of without getting to taste it yourself, weddings generally call for this kind of luxury wine gift, and the wine you give the bride and groom should be worth at least as much as it cost them to host you at their wedding. best uk wine dealsAlso, since wine is a consumable product, it is a good idea to pair a bottle with something more permanent, like a good wine cooler or wine rack. best red wine diabeticsAnd if you plan on mailing that bubbly to your friends, brush up on before you toss the bottle in the mail.top 10 best sweet wine

Before choosing a wine, you’ll want to consider whether you will have the opportunity to tell your friend about the bottle you are giving them. If you want to give a wine that is unusual or rare, make sure you have a chance to present the bottle in a calm setting. Avoid handing the bottle to your friend as they are cooking, filling up other guests’ glasses, or trying to juggle five conversations at once. Part of the joy of giving wine as a gift is introducing people to wines you love but which they may never have heard of; this is much easier if you are able to take some time to talk about the wine. Or, consider hosting your own annual wine party instead of trying to find the perfect bottle for every birthday or wedding. You’ll earn points with your friends for the rest of the year, and you won’t feel pressure to be the “wine guy” (or gal) at every special event. One cardinal mistake made by even the most well-meaning wine collectors is underestimating a friend’s taste in wine.

It’s easy to offend someone by giving them a very basic or inexpensive wine, especially if they know you as a wine collector and enthusiast. A sub-par wine can make the giftee feel that you are not treating them as a peer with good taste. To avoid this, consider the wines that you know your friends already enjoy and drink frequently, then, if possible, improve on them. If your friend loves inexpensive, jammy wines, look into higher-end wines with these flavors. It’s possible that your friend has excellent taste in wine, but simply can’t afford to buy the best bottles for himself on a regular basis. Another don’t is getting carried away with the presentation. A simple ribbon tied to the neck of the bottle is appropriate for most occasions. Wrapping paper and gift boxes can destroy a good wine if they cause the bottle to heat up. While this isn’t a concern with inexpensive wines, the last thing you want to do with a bottle of Beaucastel is keep it in a gift box in a hot corner of the room for two hours before you hand it to your friend.

Instead, place the wine in a portable cooler to keep it at a stable temperature, especially if it’s a bottle that you want your friend to cellar. Finally, avoid buying wines that are too obscure, especially if it’s a wine you have never tried yourself. Even other collectors generally prefer a simple, drinkable wine as a gift, unless you’re giving a wine that’s legendary or highly collectable. A bottle of fine Champagne or vintage Burgundy should go over well, but a Pigato of dubious quality may have them wondering what to do with the bottle after you leave. That’s why it’s best to save your obscure wines for your own parties and tastings. There’s no guarantee that unusual wines will ever be drunk when you give them away as gifts. So, what varietals should you bring to your best friend’s birthday party? Wines from are having a major moment in 2016, and many are both delicious and highly collectable. These are not just wines for collectors, though. When giving wine as a gift from these three regions, you get the best value out of the purchase and the bottles could be the kickstart of your friend’s own future collection.

My own collection started after being given a good Napa Valley bottle as a gift from a friend, and it was the first time I owned a bottle that was worth cellaring. Try Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, Italian Barolo, or white Burgundy for some of the best wines from these regions. Champagne and sparkling wine are consistent hits at parties, but for special occasions and close friends, you will want to splurge on one of the big Champagne houses, like , , or . For a celebratory gift that’s more casual, Prosecco and Cava are fun and light alternatives to vintage Champagne. Choose Bordeaux Grand Cru wines from 2005 for a high-quality vintage that makes a special occasion even more special. Many serious collectors have been afraid to give away Bordeaux in recent years, since the quality has fluctuated. However, 2005 is one of the most consistently amazing vintages in recent history, and it makes a gift that is sure to be appreciated by wine lovers. If you suspect your giftee would appreciate something more unusual, go for Barolo and Brunello from Italy.