You've planned a meal or cocktail party with friends, and they've brought you a bottle of wine as a gift. As a connoisseur, you immediately have doubts when you see the bottle , its label, or its origin. It's at this precise moment that you recognize the kindness (or lack thereof) of the host. Here are some tips on how to behave so as not to come across as a proud and rude snob.

Analyze the situation that led to this gift

The  degree of closeness you have with your guests  is of great importance in this story. Normally, close friends who know  your passion for wine  won't give you a bad bottle. They will have sought advice or tried to understand your tastes.

If you're inviting  people you've recently met  (colleagues, friends from sports, or other circles), it's very likely that the gift is genuine. Not everyone has the same knowledge about wine as you.  A bottle can also be  seen as  a polite gift,  just like a plant or  chocolates  . 

Finally, obviously, if the gift is voluntary and assumed with aplomb , question yourself about the relationship you wish to maintain.

Put yourself in the shoes of the guest giving the  gift

Let's focus on the recent encounter that led to this meal or cocktail.

Let 's start with the obvious: unless  you want  to cut  ties directly  ,  avoid negative and contemptuous  remarks like "Don't drink that snitch, so-and-so brought it." Or even: "It'll be great for vinegar." What a humiliation for the guest...  

The person can:

• know nothing  about  wine, but know you like it
• be stressed about having given you something “not up to the level you expected”
• get through a complicated financial situation
• not having planned ahead and bought a bottle on the way
• just want to be polite

Negative comments  will not gain you anything except a bad image. Also, do not commit the affront of opening  the other  bottles offered except this one.

The right approach to take when dealing with suspect wine

I can only recommend  tolerance and empathy . It doesn't matter what the bottle is... as long as the moment is convivial and everyone has a good evening. Wine remains a gift, which is basically meant to be shared and to bring people together, not to be snobbish.

It's up to you to decide what happens next.

If the person brought the bottle with the intention of drinking it for the event, uncork it, serve the guests, clink glasses, and warmly thank everyone for coming. If the wine turns out to be almost undrinkable , ask: "Perhaps this wine had a small problem, what do you think?" Remain kind and do not blame the guest.

Otherwise, I recommend playing it safe. Announce that you've  already arranged for the wine to be served at the event . This way, you  avoid  any potential embarrassment and the wine will be used for other occasions.

Nothing is stopping you from talking about wine during the cocktail party or meal. The person will then know a little better what to offer you later if you  are planning  a barbecue or a grill . And this could also give you some gift ideas.

The bottle  may turn out to be a nice surprise

As an explorer, I have learned  not to prejudge the quality of a wine .  Because  many  parameters can mislead our appreciation . Some very beautiful bottles are disappointing, even among the great French wines. I have also seen low-end packaging containing beautiful things.

Today, many wines are also produced without an appellation, and getting an idea through tasting remains the best option.  Finally, keep in mind that  tasting with the right food can also change your perception of the bottle.

Wine can always be used for something else

While the gift will obviously never be on your table, be kind. Wine can  always  be used in the preparation  of a  dish ,  a vinegar,  a sauce, a sangria, a mulled wine or any other delicious aperitif.

Of course, I strongly advise you not to re-offer the suspect wine , let alone give it as a gift to someone you don't like.