Monday, November 14, 2011

The Ultimate Wine Lover's Wish List

So here we are, only 40 more days until Christmas, and you have probably already started thinking about what on earth to get all your loved ones...My family always asks me the "What do you want for Christmas" question. So, in an effort to be helpful to those that really want to know what a wine lover like me would love most for Christmas, here is a list of some great gifts that would most likely please any wine lover out there! If they don't like your gift, feel free to send it my way :)





Gifts under $30:






Wine magazines: The gift that keeps on giving all year round. You can get a subscription for 1 year for under $20 for these mags: "Food and Wine Magazine," "Wine Enthusiast," and "Wine Maker."

Murano Wine Stopper: These gorgeous Millefiori Murano glass wine stopper only cost $15!
Double-wall Iceless Wine Bottle chiller: Its thermal-insulated walls keep your pre-chilled wine or champagne bottle cool for up to 3 hours---with no exterior sweating. And its sleek acrylic design with stainless steel trim helps update your wine service with contemporary panache. A bargain at $19.95!


Windows on the World Complete Wine Course by Kevin Zraly: The number one book to learn about wine ($25.79)
Sotheby's Wine Encyclopedia: the most up-to-date and comprehensive wine reference in the world ($29.94)

Wine Country Appetizer Plates: 6 beautiful dessert or appetizer plates with vintage wine label designs ($26.99)

Riedel "O" Cabernet/Merlot/Bordeaux Stemless Wines Glasses (set of 2): Casual yet elegant, these wine glasses are appropriate for fine wine enjoyment, as well as casual sipping. The wine tumblers were shaped to fit into a dishwasher and fine-tuned to enhance the pleasure of your favorite wine varietals. In keeping with the Riedel glassware tradition, these wine glasses have become the benchmark for stemless glassware. Machine made in Germany of lead-free crystal. Gift boxed in sets of 2. ($24.95)


Wine Saver Gift Set:  Extracts air from opened bottles to slow down the oxidation process and keep wine fresh for 7 to 10 days ($16.55)


 Wine Cork Board Kit: A great way to display ball those wine bottle corks! ($24.95)

Laguiole wine waiter corkscrew and bottle opener:  The Laguiole name is famous for pocket knives. Laguiole is a village in the middle of the Aveyron region of France, with a long-standing reputation for quality. Laguiole knives have been produced for almost 200 years. ($27.99)

Wine Bottle Protective Travel pouch: For your jet-setter friends who like to bring back wine bottles from their travels, this pouch will guarantee safe arrival of their precious cargo ($25)

Red Wine Pairing Chocolate Box: A gourmet gift for chocolate and wineenthusiasts! This box contains chocolates carefully selected by Michael Recchiuti to pair with the suggested red wines. Includes three pieces each of Star Anise & Pink Peppercorn, Spring Jasmine Tea, Force Noir and pairing notes. ($25)

Labeloff wine label removers: Perfect gift for the wine lover who likes to save labels, this is the only choice for quality and ease of use ($29.95 for 50)

Women's Group Therapy T-Shirt: For the girl who enjoys a little wine and isn't afraid to show it :)  You might also be able to find this T-shirt for a little less on E-bay, but it's not always available. ($22.95 to $29.95)

Gifts under $50:

Wine Barrel Hoop Cork Kit:  That Pinot you had on your birthday. The Cab you drank with your dad. The memories live on in the corks you assemble in this impressive kit, a repurposed steel wine barrel hoop with a recycled wood backing. Hang on a wall or set on a tabletop. Use standard or wood glue to configure corks any way you'd like. ($49.95)

Visual Wine Decanter: This European-made crystal wine decanter combines elegance, functionality, and affordability. The large punt increases oxygenation and allows you to better evaluate the hue and color of your wine. The outside of the punt is large enough for a comfortable grip to ensure perfect and controlled pouring every time. Lead-free crystal. ($49.99)

Push Button Corkscrew: A wine opener as entertaining to watch as it is easy to use. See the blue light shine through the action window as the cork is smoothly extracted from your bottle and released—with a simple press of a button. The blue light doubles as a nightlight when the corkscrew is recharging. Solid stainless steel body. Comes with a foil cutter that also functions as a stand for the corkscrew. ($39.99)

Vinturi Essential Wine Aerator: Mixing just the right amount of air with your wine at the precise moments, this see-through aerator allows your reds to breathe instantly. The Vinturi Red Wine Aerator results are a better bouquet, enhanced flavor, and a smoother finish. Perfect aeration in the time it takes to pour a glass. Choose either Red or White wine or get both! ($36.99)

Zinfandelic Groovy Duo Zinfandel Gift set:  I LOVE this! A gift for Zin-fans: ZINFANDELIC pays tribute to the quintessential California wine, Zinfandel. The label and tote artwork capture the rock posters from California's cultural movement of the 1960s. ($39.99)

Golf and Wine Legends Wine Gift Trio: The perfect collection for wine and golf lovers. Three premium wines from the wineries of legendary golfers Ernie Els, Greg Norman and Arnold Palmer, are paired with a sleeve of three golf balls. ($49.99)

Picnic Plus Carlotta Clutch Wine Bottle Tote: How cute and stylish are these wine bottle totes? Choose from 8 different colors and patterns (such as Zebra fur and Merlot croc), these are perfect for a picnic among friends. ($31.99)

Riedel Vinum XL Pinot Noir (Set of 2): How gorgeous are these Pinot wine glasses??? And extra large too ;) ($49.95)

Gift under $90:

Red wine/dark chocolate gift basket:  Drink wine, eat chocolate and follow your Doctor's advice all at the same time? That's right, it's no secret that eating dark chocolate and having a glass of red wine every day is actually good for you! So enjoy your daily dose of antioxidants and toast to good health with this incredible gift basket, delivered straight to you. ($89.99)

Grand Tour de France Wine Gift Collection: This Grand Tour de France gives you a taste of France's most prominent wine regions with a bottle each from Bordeaux, Burgundy, the Rhône Valley, the Loire Valley, Languedoc-Roussillon and Alsace. With two whites and four reds, each wine is chosen to display the unique characteristics of the region it represents. For any "bon vivant" who loves the wines of France. ($79.99)

Tuscan Trattoria Italian Wine gift set:  Nestled in a five-quart stainless steel colander are ingredients for savory Italian pasta dinners. Two types of pasta and two classic sauces are paired with Banfi Col di Sasso, a Tuscan blend of Sangiovese and Cabernet Sauvignon. Plus, almond anise biscotti for dessert. A great value (I think) for the price ($59.99)

Glass Top Wine Table: This Wine table is the perfect storage place for up to 15 bottlers of wine, this wine rack is made of black iron and stands 33-inches high. At only $78.30 on Amazon.com, I'm not sure how much longer it'll be at this price!

Quintessential White Wine Gift Set: This six-bottle package showcases the quintessential white varieties from the premier wine producing regions of the world. These wines showcase the signature grape varieties of their respective regions. ($89.99)

2003 Paolo Bea Sagrantino di Montefalco Secco:  Here is a gift for someone who has everything: a little-known but insanely delicious grape variety—Sagrantino—vinified by an Italian winemaker ($80).

Wine Country Tours: Wine Country Tour Shuttle operates from San Francisco to either Napa or Sonoma. Wine lovers can go on The Napa Experience Tour and visit4 wineries, and have a picnic lunch and a 50-minute relaxing ferry cruise back to San Francisco. The only negative is that during peak season, the groups can be quite large. ($80/person)

$90 and UP:

Quintessential Red Wine Gift Set: sample six signature reds from the most famous wine regions in the world. For the wine adventurer in search of bold flavors, host your own taste-off to see how they compare. Each bottle is carefully chosen to represent the best example of red wine from its region. ($99.99)

 
Quintessential Case Wine Gift Collection: 6 reds and 6 whites, for those who want it all (like me)! ($169.98)

6 Bottle Touch screen wine refrigerator: This is one awesome Christmas gift, and an incredible value, what wine lover wouldn't love one of these???A thermoelectric, energy-efficient, CFC-free wine cooler. 6-bottle capacity, adjustable temperature range: 46-66°F, exterior digital touchscreen with temperature display, reflective smoked-glass Thermopane door with stainless steel trim and recessed handle, 3 pull-out chrome shelves, Interior LED lighting ($99)

Wine Tasting Classes and Tours  (anywhere in the US): Prices vary from $50 all the way up to $750! A selection of wine tasting classes around the US, all available as gift certificates. Classes include wine and cheese tastings in New York, Wine or Beer Tastings in Boston, or a chance to make your own wine in Dallas.

Gift Certificates: Less personal, but always an option, there are many websites dedicated to wine that offer gift certificates, such as www.wine.com  and www.wineenthusiast.com.

Wine Clubs: Receive two bottles each month, choose from different options (Discovery tour, Wines of the World, 90-point rated Wine). From $29.99 to $69.99 per month.

Finally, saving the ultimate wine lover's gift for last: A wine trip to Tuscany, complete with a week-long stay at Castello del Trebbio. Priceless :)

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