As wine professionals, this is the time of year when we go into overdrive helping you, the consumer, fulfill all of your wine needs for parties and gift giving. As wine lovers, we relish being able to share our love of wine with others. We know that buying wine anytime can be an overwhelming an experience, but possibly more so now that you have to cover your family, friends, co-workers, and a mystery person whose name you anonymously grabbed out of the office gift-giving basket. There are a million guides out there to “stress-free” holiday shopping, so we won’t promise that. But we can give you helpful tips on how to ease the insanity of it all… at least when it comes to wine buying.

Before we get into what to buy, here are a few things to know about how to buy. When intending to buy a bottle of wine for someone as a gift, the obvious suggestion that would help you and the wine consultant assisting you, would be to find out what that person likes to drink. The more specific the better, but sometimes this is impossible unless you do a little James Bond handiwork. If you can, find out what style they prefer beyond just red or white. Do they prefer Old World (European) or New World (USA, Australia, Argentina, etc.)? Do they have a favorite region? Is there a grape that they gravitate toward? Do they enjoy wine at all? These things are helpful to know.

Another thing to consider is the intended use of the wine. If you are buying for a wine enthusiast/collector who would most likely cellar the bottle for a few years, it wouldn’t make sense to buy a young, fresh wine that is meant for consumption now. Look for something that has good structure and aging potential. If you can answer any one of these questions, then you’re in good shape for an easier wine buying experience. If you can’t, the best you can do is at least go into your local wine shop with a price range and the wine consultant can help you find the most for your money. The most important thing to know is that you don’t have to go it alone. Any reputable wine shop will have people ready and willing to help you find just what you need.

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Now it’s time for a few suggestions. We don’t know about you, but we always like to be that person, who gives the coolest gifts. This means we go beyond the norm and try to find wines that we know they will love, but are different from their everyday favorites. You don’t have to settle for the “safe” choices of Cabernet or Chardonnay. You can venture into other regions or varietals that will have enough similarities so that you won’t be straying too far, but will also have a lot of new characteristics to fall in love with.

>> If they like a full-bodied, oaky Chardonnay you can try getting them a rich, creamy Meursault. Hailing from the Burgundy region in France, this style of Chardonnay is much fuller than other French Chardonnays, and can rival the robust American styles.

>> If they have a preference for something big like Chianti you can step it up by getting a Brunello di Montalcino. Like Chianti, Brunello is made from the Sangiovese but is fuller-bodied and more complex with better aging potential.

>> Pinot Noir seems to be a sure bet these days. They tend to fall right in the middle for reds in terms of weight and structure, and are very versatile with their food pairings. Plus, it is still the “posh” wine to order. But instead of limiting your choices to earthy Oregon Pinots or high priced Burgundies, check out the upcoming region of Central Otago in southern New Zealand. This area is surrounded by mountains and has the ideal cool climate for growing this grape. The result is soft, smooth Pinot Noirs that are highly enjoyable.

>> Another crowd pleaser is New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc, which are widely popular for their refreshing fruitiness. But as with any “in" thing, the prices are steadily increasing without increasing the quality. If you’re seeking a wine of this style that is completely unique, look to Rueda, Spain. This is where you’ll find Verdejo, which boasts that vibrant citrus that is beloved, but has a drier, more mineral-driven finish. This is will please those who like a little fruitiness but also like a dry white. It’s a happy medium.

>> You will always know at least one person that likes the fullest, boldest turn your teeth purple, suck-all-the-moisture-out-of-your-mouth red. They generally prefer Cabernet Sauvignons. If you want to put them in their place and test their true intensity give them a bottle of Petite Sirah from California. This grape produces, yes you guessed it, extremely full, heavy reds that have a lot of tannins and usually need to be decanted. These wines are best paired with heavier meat dishes but can be enjoyed on their own if the person enjoys the style.

>> If you’re looking for Champagne for your bubble-loving friend but are stuck on a beer budget, you can consider Spanish Cava. Like Champagne, Cava is produced in the “traditional” style of bottle fermentation rather than the “bulk” method that is used in a lot of American Sparkling wines. Cavas maintain good body and acidity and are a great alternative to Champagne.

>> For the sweet wine lover you have a lot of options. There are fizzy dessert wines, late-harvest still wines, and fortified wines such as Port and Madeira. These all vary drastically in taste and style. For the person who likes full, robust style wines, try out a nice tawny Port. If they prefer something lighter, but still sweet, you can give a spritzy Moscato d’Asti or a lush Sauternes from Bordeaux a try.

Don’t be afraid or engulfed in the madness that is holiday shopping. One final tip for you is to make sure you pick up a bottle for yourself- you’ll probably need it from all of the other retail shopping you plan on doing.