Just a friendly reminder that next week is my birthday. I know all my faithful blog readers and Twitter followers will want to surprise me with that special bottle of wine. So to help you out I want to give you a few simple guidelines to show you how easy it is to put a smile on my face.

First don't be intimidated into thinking you can't purchase wine for someone who works in the wine industry. Any true wine lover never has enough wine on their kitchen wine rack or in their cellar.

Second don't think you have to buy something expensive or worthy of laying down for years in order to impress me. In fact for my casual friends, I'd rather you didn't spend a lot because then I'll feel like I have to reciprocate. The only thing I do ask is that you put a bit of effort into the process. As I stated in my Christmas present blog a few years back, the worst thing you can do for me is pick up a bottle of wine in your local grocery store while shopping for your cat food and toilet paper.

So what do I mean when I ask for a little bit of effort? Show me that you care enough to buy my present in a real wine shop such as ABC Fine Wine & Spirits. Yes you will also find many of the same wines you see in the grocery store but you will also find a great selection of esoteric, interesting wines in all price points.

Since most of my Twitter followers and blog readers fall into the casual friends category, I've included a quick reference of wines sure to please.

• Contadi Castaldi Brut - I love bubbles anytime but especially when I'm celebrating. Contadi Castaldi offers the quality of French Champagne at half the price.


• Tenuta Pepe Lila Falanghina - Dry white with incredible complexity for the price.


• Giovanna Tantini Bardolino Chiaretto - Rosé wine has become a staple in my house and there is none better that this example from the shores of Lake Garda.


• Tenuta Pepe Terra Del Varo Aglianico - Another great value from Tenuta Pepe. You won't find any Aglianico in you local grocery store.


• Chateau Feret-Lambert Bordeaux - No I don't drink exclusively Italian wines. I love Bordeaux, especially when you find one at this quality/price ratio.

As you can see my tastes are all over the wine spectrum. This should give you the confidence to know you'll be hard pressed to choose something I wont like...unless of course you pick up my present in aisle 17 between the cat food and TP.

Paul Quaglini, ABC Fine Wine Spirits wine supervisor

Wish me happy birthday on Twitter @abcwinepaulq