My friend wants a bottle of wine for his birthday...?

[Lovely Lady 27]

He told me he likes Red and that is all he knew, I don't think he knows much about wine... So should I get him Merlot? I don't want to spend too much I mean he is just a friend and I don't want to send the wrong signal. Any ideas?

[Scott M]

Try Rosemount Shiraz. Available most places in the US for around $10.

[Jess]

Well if he's into the trendy Merlot crowd .. .I would suggest "Smoking Loon" merlot . . . excellent for the price . .. just 8-11 dollars per bottle. If he likes the body of merlot . . . you might try an Italian red -- Bardolino ... different wineries make one. Not too expensive yet "unique". He might appreciate your "creativity" in getting something he might not have thought of.

If he likes a heavy red ... a cabernet, or "bulls blood". For good value, I find some South American and Australian wines excellent. Many of the French reds are overpriced and overtouted IMO.

[gentle understanding]

Well you might want to consider a wine from California, such as a nice old vine Zinfandel or Merlot. I love one called, "Seven Deadly Zins." Yum. It runs about $20 a bottle.

[Norman S]

Get a merlot or pinot noir, also make sure it is a decent brand. You can get great wines without paying way too much. I recommend anything by Robert Mondavi ( Coastal, Woodbridge etc are all good Mondavi wines)

[jonah]

2 buck Chuck

[BamaJJP]

Geez it depends do you know if he likes a sweet wine dry wine? I reccommend a Zifandel it's sweet and not heavy. A Merlot is the driest and lightest of the Red Wines. Anyway he'll appreciate whatever you get him. Zifandels run from $8 to $70. Most between 15-40 in my experience.

[Nathalie D]

Try a Malbec, a RED Zinfandel or a Shiraz.

[PK211]

A merlot or Cabernet Sauvignon is a nice choice.

[mlp7]

Merlot is always a winner...also there is a wine (I am not sure if it is available in your area) called Texas Red...it is really good