(Inforum) - Regular readers of my wine column know that I have a modest wine cellar with a capacity of 144 bottles. The wine in that cellar represents current and future pleasure experiences, but not because I'll attempt to drink it all for myself.

I, of course, share the wine with my wife at dinner and with friends during meals or wine tastings. The nicely convenient 750-milliliter bottle is one that invites multiple consumers to enjoy its contents, view the bottle and either discuss the wine being consumed or work on debating the world's problems.

I enjoy giving a bottle of wine as an unexpected gift. To the serviceman who comes by to fix something, our dentist, our tax preparer, our financial adviser and to those who patiently help me with my computer and cell phone problems, to name just a few.

They are not bottles of wine I don't drink myself, but ones that I truly enjoy, and want to share with someone. They are not expensive wines nor the cheapest ones I can find, just good wines that I can afford to consume on a regular basis, and I believe the recipient would enjoy them equally.

In every instance, without exception, the gifted wine is received with gratitude and delight, much more so than if I had just given the person a $20 bill. Wine builds a relationship between people that is far more enduring than simply money or having a warm body at your side.