There are no right answers to these questions, I'm just curious as to what other people would chose. My friend and I toss these questions around quite often and I thought I would post one here. Ok here goes:
What would YOU chose: Someone is going to give you a gift, and you can pick either A or B (both are worth the same value)
A) A wine that you yourself would consider a 92-93 pointer (any wine, red, white etc...)
OR
B) 3 bottles of wine that you yourself would rank about 87 (again any wine, red, white etc...)
I had a tough time with this question, sometimes I think I would pick A but in reality I think I would go with the 3 bottles ranked around 87.
How long will you have, and then remember what 3 "87-score, $20" wines you were given as a gift?
But someone gives you a $60 bottle of a "93 score" wine, and chances are you will keep it in your cellar for a long time and remember for a long time the gracious gift. And when you open it, you will thank the person greatly for it.
The 1 bottle gift says that you're a special person, worthy of a special wine, and the 3 bottle gift says "I just saved you a run to your local supermarket to buy 3 bottles of everyday wine."
Also, you can write a special note with a gold or silver pen on the 1 bottle, but if you do that on the 3 pedestrian wines, it looks pretty silly...
Posts: 266 | Location: Atlanta, Georgia, USA | Registered: May 24, 2004
quote:Originally posted by italian wino: I would pick the three 87pt wines. Drink 1, sell 2 of them and buy some of the 92-93pt wine with the proceeds and that way you have both.
Forgive the consecutive posts from me, but... italian wino... you sell your gifts? "Thanks, good friend, I loved your gift so much that I sold it and bought something that I really wanted."
Ewwwwww.
Posts: 266 | Location: Atlanta, Georgia, USA | Registered: May 24, 2004
I'd go with the one bottle of self-scored 93 point wine. The allure of slowly drinking one GREAT bottle of wine is much more attractive than drinking, over time, three bottles of only good wine.
I tend to think that one GREAT bottle leaves much more of a lasting imprint on my memory than three bottles of good stuff.
Cheers!
Posts: 1647 | Location: Seattle, WA, USA | Registered: Mar 22, 2004
I would pick the single bottle. As noted above, I would remember the wine as special and fondly remember the person who gave it to me. Besides, working in the retail wine business, I get a very nice discount that puts many "87" wines well within my "everday" budget (i.e., under $15).
I would pick the one bottle but it would have to be rated 96 points or above by Robert Parker, 93 or above by Steve Tanzer, or 110 points or above if it's a Brunello rated by Jim Suckling.
I only drink very highly rated wine. That way if I don't like it I know that there is some failing in me not the wine.
Derek
acaronianasa
Posts: 639 | Location: Upper East Side, New York City | Registered: Feb 26, 2002
Definitely A, one bottle of special value, an indulgence I normally wouldn't spend on myself. I tend to spend more in gifts to others than for myself, but I don't need a special occasion to buy for myself so it evens out.
The one bottle. It shows that the giver took the time to search out something special for you, rather than just tossing some money for something descent. If I could open the bottle and share with the giver, that would cement the special memory for me.
"...You are in my blood like holy wine, You taste so bitter, and so sweet. I could drink a case of you, And still be on my feet, And still be on my feet..."
Posts: 3688 | Location: Everett, WA | Registered: Mar 08, 2002
Besides, working in the retail wine business, I get a very nice discount that puts many "87" wines well within my "everday" budget (i.e., under $15). 
Oh well.