Giving wine this Christmas? Here are some recommendations

Giving the gift of wine during the holidays sounds simple enough: hit your local store, grab a bottle of something decent and drop it into a decorative bag.

But how much should you spend? What should you avoid? And how do you make it personal?

On The Coast's Master of Wine Barbara Philip has an answer to those questions: "It depends."

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Okay, maybe not the most concrete advice. But she does have a golden ruleof sorts.

"I think it's important find something that person you're giving it to hasn't had before," she told On The Coast host Stephen Quinn. "Push their boundaries."

Philip says wine is a perfect last-minute gift because it has "innate elegance." She says with a little effort in the wrapping (don't forget the tissue paper!) and by chilling the bottle (if the wine calls for it) you can make it look less "last minute."

Here are Barbara Philip's recommendations for wine to give this year.

Fresco Sangiovese. Rubicone. Emilia Romagna. Italy. 2014. $9.99

"I was really impressed with the quality of this wine for the price when I tried it. Red fruits, cherry and dried herbs give the flavours some complexity and the palate is nice and juicy making it perfect for pizza."

Sumac Ridge 'Stellers Jay' Brut Sparkling. British Columbia. $19.99

"This is very much an Okanagan classic and one of the most highly regarded sparkling wines in the province. It is made in the 'traditional method' which is the same one used in Champagne. It has toasty, apply notes and creamy bubbles. Chill it down if you are bringing it as a hostess gift."

Domaine Piron. Chenas. Beaujolais. France. 2014 $29.99

"Chenas is one of the 10 best sites for Beaujolais where the granite soil helps to make finessed Gamay wines with pure cherry and blackberry tea fruit. Look also for some dried herbs and purple flowers on the palate."

Les Clefs D'or Chateauneuf-du-pape. Rhone Valley. France. 2011. $39.99

"There is always something luxurious about a Chteaneuf-du-Pape with its raspberry, white pepper and warm earth notes. The silky texture and full body make this wine very pleasing to drink now but it has enough power to last three to five years in the cellar."

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