It can be hard to find the right wine to buy as a gift for someone who has a cellar. You can to get something special, but don't want to spend a fortune. With that in mind, this week's wine gift recommendation is the intriguing Vino Nobile di Montepulciano. A big Tuscan red, primarily made from the Sangiovese grape, the Vino Nobile is less well-known than Chianti or the massive Brunello di Montalcino.

Having done a bicycle tour through Montepulciano in the late 80s, I have a special affinity toward the wine. It's opulent yet rustic flavors and big tannins allow the region's wines to age very well. Bottles usually range from $25 to $40 or more.

I recently tried the Lodola Nuova Vino Nobile di Montepulciano 2005 ($25). It's a finely structured and silky wine, with a balance that allows you to enjoy all the flavors without too much cheek puckering. Other version of Vino Nobile are more bitter and potent, so this would be a good bottle to buy as a present. It would hard not to like this wine.