ALT-3 Wine Gift Advice
Enjoying wine is an art form, so don't afraid to be creative when searching for the perfect gift for the wine-lover in your life. Wine and wine accessories can be the great presents for any occasion, if you choose wisely. With so many varieties, it's difficult to ensure that the flavor is worth the cost - especially if you're giving your gift to people who know a lot about wine. After much exploring of, giving of and receiving of wine-related treasures, here are some of my top picks:
1. A personalized variety pack. For a wedding present, I received six bottles of wine from friends who live near vineyards in Virginia. For each bottle, they wrote a description of why they liked it and when we should drink it. For an entire year, my husband and I had the perfect accompaniments for special occasions.
If you have wine favorites, you could mimic this idea. Purchase a variety of wines you know and love, explain the wine in your own words on index cards or note cards, and attach your message to the bottle's neck. You can even present your gift - like our friends did - in a wine rack.
2. A wine tour. If you and the recipient of live near each other and near vineyards - which are sprouting daily - you could take them on your own, personal wine tour. Treat them to tastings, cheese plates, desserts, and maybe even a bottle of their favorite pick.
3. Wine-of-the-month subscriptions. This gift can be a bit pricey, but it certainly will keep your recipient's wine rack stocked. There are several clubs that will send bottles of wine directly every month for six to twelve months. Wineofthemonthclub.com, for example, will supply a bottle of red and a bottle of white for twelve months for about $225.00, not including shipping costs. A six month subscription costs $114.00, again, not including shipping. (Prices may vary depending on state taxes.) Other on-line subscription sites include: Cellarswineclub.com, Wineinsiders.com, and Californiareds.com. Local stores may also offer similar deals. Check your phone book for listings.
4. Wine magazines. A subscription to one of the many publications available to wine lovers will keep your recipient abreast of all the latest news and ratings. Wine Spectator, The Wine Advocate, Wine Spectator, The Quarterly Review of Wines and Food and Wine are among the best. These can be purchased on-line through Amazon.com or at each magazine's web site.
5. Wine books. The Wine Bible by Karen McNeil, The Oxford Companion to Wine, and the Sotheby's Wine Encyclopedia are among the many available books on wine. Many bookstores and kitchen specialty shops also sell wine journals for recording memorable bottles and dining experiences.
6. Wine accessories. From bottle openers to storage racks, most vineyards and stores that sell home furnishings (Bed, Bath & Beyond, Williams-Sonoma, etc.) carry a wide variety of wine accompaniments. One of my favorite gifts is a cork board that you create from all of the wine corks you save.Remember, if you choose to buy bottles of wine as a gift, ask the store employees for help. It's their job to be the experts in their stock, and they are generally very good at finding great selections in your price range. If you don't have a wine store near you, you can also ask waiters and chefs at local restaurants for advice.
