Giving wine as a gift is a risky proposition. Unless you know exactly what your recipient wants you’re basically flying blind in the dark; not to mention the pricier wines seem to be front and centre this time of year, so that makes it doubly hard.

I know it’s maybe a little too early to be talking gift-giving wine, but if you start early you can still pick up some bargain wines that taste like you spent way more than you did … and a couple of bottles for you own consumption is also a nice perk.

Occasionally, throughout the month of November and December, I’ll be pointing you in the direction of wines that would make great gifts, for yourself, um I meant someone on your list.

Codorniu Seleccion Raventos Brut Cava, Spain ($15.95)

It’s rare when you find a delightful, crisp and mineral driven sparkler with this kind of length and mouthfeel: lemon-lime, green apple and great acidity – this all occasion bubbly is a real bargain.

Olivier Ravoire 2011 Cairanne Cotes du Rhone-Villages, France ($18.95)

I have often found Rhone wine to deliver bang for the buck and this Villages version is no different: chocolate, raspberry, cherry, vanilla, fig, licorice and a great backbone of acidity helps this one to deliver in spades.

Orestiadi 2008 Ludovico, Italy ($19.95)

This Sicilian wine packs a wallop at just under $20: cassis, plum, mint, vanilla and raspberry – it’s so full of flavour you’ll make everyone believe you paid a heck of a lot more than you did … shhhh, it’s our little secret.

For more wine suggestions, see our other #WineWednesday posts.