Table of Content
No matter how experienced, knowledgeable and set in their ways, however, the true wine aficionado knows there is always more to learn. This year, delight them with gifts that they'll turn to again and again in the never-ending pursuit of vinous enlightenment. Know someone who prefers to serve wines decanted, needs to preserve unfinished bottles, or just likes to have their guests taste blind?
A few years ago, a friend gave me a wine funnel with a little mesh screen to catch any sediment I’ve missed, and a series of perforations at the bottom, which pushes the wine into a tulip-shaped spray. It’s a nice way to quickly aerate younger, more rustic wines, and although it’s a little gimmicky, I find myself using it more than I’d expected. Join today and get immediate access to this article, and to our entire database of more than 400,000 wine ratings. It only takes moments—but it will help you drink better all year long.
Cheers & New Year’s: A Holiday Wine Quiz
I credit my colleague Aaron Romano for discovering Real Good Fish after we’d watched a documentary on the fishing industry, which left us troubled about how to enjoy seafood responsibly. This company ships sustainably sourced, wild-caught, seasonal seafood to your favorite pescatarians . It’s completely customizable and flexible, and you can even order add-ons, from salmon burgers to locally raised and butchered meats.
They would actually be pretty funny gag gifts, except I know they were sincere efforts, having gone to the wineries themselves and picked out what they thought was good. The typical explanation is "I don't know anything about wine, but the gal-pals I was with really liked this, so I bought a bottle for you." Doesn't matter if you gave me wine as your last 10 gifts; I'll still be happy. I hope you all have a chance to relax, enjoy friends and family and a good bottle of wine over the holidays.
Gifts and New Products
It’s capacious enough to hold 12 cans or several bottles of wine, with external pouches for water bottles or a Bluetooth speaker, supporting a perfect day at the beach or by the lake. Available in pink, black, blue and a navy camo pattern, there’s an option to suit anyone on your gift list. There are even courses for wine professionals such as ABCs of Wine Sales and Service. Perhaps even more important than understanding where a wine is coming from is knowing how to accurately describe it. The aroma wheel is a must-have for wine lovers who are just starting to stick their nose into the world of wine. For the wine guy or girl who really wants to let people know what smells, there are even Aroma Wheel T-shirts ($28).
I knew he loved it though and I called back later and had a half case shipped to him for his birthday. We gift wine to each other often and then share them at get-togethers down the road. I love to give and receive - birth years, house warming, holidays, dinner, birthdays, anniversaries... I just had a wedding anniversary and my wife gave me a bottle of 2010 Pontet Canet (Parker 100, for what it's worth). I'm going to have her sign and date it, which is a fun practice I've taken to with giving and receiving.
Gift Guide: Editors’ Favorite Wine Accessories
The 2016 Bear Flag Zinfandel embodies the rugged independent spirit of early California settlers who rebelled against tyranny and fought for independence in 1846 and inspired the Golden State’s motto, “Eureka! ” Bear Flag celebrates forward thinking individuals prepared to do whatever it takes to achieve their dreams. Sourced primarily from Sonoma County’s distinguished Dry Creek Valley, the wine is complex with a pinch of spice, vanilla, and dark fruit elegance. Full-bodied yet supple, Bear Flag stands tall as its namesake and is well-structured with an All-American backbone.
All the work is done by one guy, Zach Pinerio, and takes place on a small island off of Martha's Vineyard—so there's no doubt that purchases support a small business.
Bibiana González Rave is one of my favorite winemakers in California—her exuberant spirit shows in all of her wines. Perhaps related, the Colombia-born vintner is also a coffee enthusiast who drinks several cups a day. It's a natural extension for Rave to start importing Colombian coffee beans from high-altitude, small farms and roast them herself.
Suggested bottle-wrapping techniques to complement the style and personality of each wine. Text CHEERS to and be the first to know about special offers, new products and more. Some home bartenders skimp on freshly squeezed citrus juice, which can elevate a marginal Margarita into a small mixological miracle.
If they enjoy whiskey and cigars, we've got you covered there, too. There's a present for everyone, and many items can be personalized for that extra special touch. In a recent blog on WineSpectator.com, senior editor James Laube's "Blind Is Best if You Must Assess," Laube says that tasting wines blind is one of the most educational ways to taste wine. "Anyone can conclude that a $100 wine is more expensive than the $25 wine by looking at the price tag," Laube writes. Some people have even mistaken red wines for whites and vice versa when served at the same temperatures using these tricky but nevertheless elegant stems. Pick up a set of these fun wineglasses for the adventurous wine lover on your list.
Wine Spectator's Owen Dugan reviews gifts for wine lovers, from coasters to Champagne sabers. This holiday season, delight your friends and family with thoughtful, handpicked gifts of fine wines. Bigger isn’t always better, but these hand-blown, Austria-made glasses are awfully impressive.
The removable waterproof liner makes it ideal for gathering mushrooms, apples, wildflowers, pine boughs and other outdoor treasures. This unique alternative to the traditional cheese platter presentation makes a stunning party centerpiece, and it's also an ideal gift for those who love to entertain. There are smaller options, but I like the Better Than Cake Tower, which was created after popular demand from betrothed couples who wanted cheese in place of cake at their weddings. This 4.5-pound megatower is built with four diverse cheeses ranging in origin, style, texture and color, from the pimentón-coated Alisios from the Canary Islands to the maple leaf-wrapped smoked chèvre from Oregon’s Rivers Edge.
No comments:
Post a Comment