Last week we looked at good gift wines to give for the season that were of the white persuasion – this week let’s look at some reds you might want to stuff stockings with, lay under the tree or pull out around the dinner table.

Might I suggest that during the holidays you introduce your wine-loving friends to grapes they may not be familiar with, an overlook producer, a misappropriated grape, or blends from a popular place but one they might not pick up for themselves.

Let’s see if we can’t wow them with something new, instead of the same-old same-old:

E Guigal 2010 Cote du Rhone ($17.95)

There are wines you keep recommending until they are gone; this is one of them … great fruit with the addition of an elegance of spice and balance of oak.  Buy one as a gift and two for yourself.

Peachy Canyon 2011 Westside Zinfandel ($26.95)

I taste plenty of good Zin throughout the year – none of it pink – this one has lots to get excited about: vanilla, cherry, plum, and Christmas spice on the nose, along with cherry, blackberry jam and mocha highlight the palate.

La Posta 2011 Estela Armando Bonarda ($14.95)

Sweet and supple fruit with lovely round mouthfeel and a touch of smokiness.  Bonarda will be the next big thing from Argentina.

Topazio 2009 Douro Red ($12.55)

This Douro blend delivers for not a lot of dough.  Chocolate, dark berries, rich and succulent really juicy.

Jip Jip Rock Sparkling Shiraz ($18.95)

If this does not shock people then nothing will – this is possibly the best sparkling Shiraz I have ever tasted and best of all it is very good – give it a shot.

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