FRIENDS and relations often buy me wine as a birthday or Christmas gift. I am always glad to receive presents of the vinous kind; you can never have enough wine in the rack. It pleases Mrs Tipping too, as she gets to drink most of it for me.

I have noticed, though, that the same ‘sharing’ rules do not apply to the chocolates she receives for special occasions. If I raided that stash, I would be putting my life on the line.

I have thought about buying Mrs T wine for her birthday since she likes it so much. She is notoriously difficult to buy for, however, and I suspect she is quite happy with the status quo.

Hypothetically though, if I was on the lookout for a bottle that would suit Mrs T down to a tee, then one of the following reds would be a good choice. She likes quite big, smooth reds, juicy not jammy and doesn’t like anything noticeably sharp.

The Rhône-esque Domaine Les Yeuses 'Les Epices' Syrah 2012, which hails from near Mèze in the Languedoc, is classy and reasonably priced. It is savoury and quite concentrated with flavours of brambles, distinct perfumed notes, black pepper and espresso coffee.

I have noticed that Mrs T has a soft spot for Portuguese reds, especially those from the Douro Valley. Quinta do Crasto Superior 2012 is a decent example, made with a blend of grapes used traditionally in port production. Rich, with a supple structure and nicely balanced, it suggests cherry and blackcurrant, with spicy notes, violets and vanilla.

Or head to Chile and Emiliana Coyam 2011, an organic and very well made wine, which Mrs T ‘discovered’ last week, when we were at the Three Wine Men tasting in York. A blend, mainly of syrah and carménère, it has a velvety texture, freshness and balance, with juicy flavours of plum, brambles, cedarwood and vanilla.

Domaine Les Yeuses 'Les Epices' Syrah 2012, Pays d’Oc, £7.49 when you buy two at Majestic 18/20

Quinta do Crasto Superior 2012, Douro, £13.95 from Slurp.co.uk 17/20

Emiliana Coyam 2011, Colchagua, £18.95 from Field & Fawcett 17/20