Red Wine Gifts for Beginners: Which Bottle to Buy

Reds range from light and fruity to big and bold. If they like a steak, go bold; if they prefer a glass on its own, go soft and fruity.

Light and fruity

  • Pinot Noir
  • Beaujolais
  • Valpolicella

Smooth and medium

  • Merlot
  • Rioja Crianza
  • Côtes du Rhône

Big and bold

  • Malbec
  • Shiraz
  • Cabernet Sauvignon

Card messages to go with a bottle

  • Cheers! I asked the man in the shop, so blame him if it's rubbish.
  • A little something to sip while you put your feet up.
  • Here's to you. Drink responsibly, but not too responsibly.
  • I don't know much about wine, but I know you deserve a good one.

Key things to remember

  • Ask the shop staff: it's their job.
  • Spend £10 to £20 for a safe, crowd-pleasing bottle.
  • Gift wrap or a bag makes any bottle look special.

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Frequently asked questions

What red wine do most people like?

Malbec and Rioja are smooth, fruity and widely loved.

What is a good example of red wine gift guide for beginners?

"Cheers! I asked the man in the shop, so blame him if it's rubbish." is one of 13 examples on this page. Pick the one closest to the tone you want, then add a specific detail of your own - a shared memory, a date, a name - so it reads as yours rather than copied.

Can I copy these messages word for word?

Yes. Everything on this page is free to copy, print and read out - no permission or credit needed. Changing one detail so it fits the person is all we would suggest.

How long should a card message be?

One to three lines suits most cards. Write the message before the name so you can start again if it goes wrong, and if you run out of room, carry on inside the back cover rather than shrinking your handwriting.

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