It’s that time of year again and My Wine Tribe is here to help you with all your holiday gifting needs (assuming, of course, that your gift recipient is over 21). There’s something for just about everyone on the unique and thoughtful list below. So, enjoy the first annual MyWineTribe Holiday Gift Guide!
For Your Significant Other: Celebrate your relationship with a bottle from Fidelitas Winery and a CD mix that is meaningful to you both. Throw in some chocolates and enjoy! (If you want to celebrate a different kind of relationship, say with a paramour, how about a bottle of Interlude by Waters Winery and a CD mix that gets him or her in the mood?) Either way, good times guaranteed.
For Your Boss: You want to go with a covetable bottle in this situation to a) show respect for your boss and b) show off (subtly, of course) your wine expertise. Stick with a recognizable winery with a solid reputation for quality. The Jordan Winery’s award-winning 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon is a good choice. If its $52 price tag is a little too high, turn to another award winner, the Sterling 2009 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon at $26. Tuck the Cab into a nice bag, add a cool wine stopper and you are good to go.
For the Travel Lover: If you can’t treat him or her to a dream trip, then create a one night stay-cation. Thinking of Italy? Find a great Italian red (I like the Tenuta di Nozzole 2008 Reserva, a Chianti that goes for about $25) and a Cinema Paradiso DVD. Longing for Spain? Choose a nice Spanish Rioja or Tempranillo, add in a Gypsy Kings CD and some Castelvetrano olives. To stay-cate somewhere closer to home, you can’t go wrong with some smoked salmon and a Washington State red. Two of my favorites: L’Ecole No.41 2009 Merlot at $24 and Rotie Cellars Northern Blend Red Wine at $40. Yum!
For The Gadget Lover: There are two wine tools I am most excited about. The first is a kind of wine stopper meets popsicle called The Corkcicle. You stick it in your wine bottle to keep the wine chilled – and fresh. It retails for $24.95 and you can likely find it at your local wine store or online. I am also digging Corkpops. The makers boast that it’s “the fastest, easiest way to open a bottle of wine.” And they’re right! Corkpops retails for $19.99 and you can purchase one here.
For Your Stressed Out Friend/Teacher/Coworker: We have one word: bubbles. Pair a nice bottle of bubbly (a personal favorite is the Domaine Ste Michelle Brut) along with a soothing bubble bath (consider luxe bubbles from L’Occitane). Sounds dreamy in case anyone is wondering what I want….
For the Hostess with The Mostess: Focus on wine and cheese. Perhaps a bottle of Pinot Noir with a hunk of Comte and a cute cheese knife. Artisanal Cheese is one of the best cheese guides on the web. Go here for their pairing ideas, advice and a selection of luscious cheeses to complement whatever type of wine your giftee enjoys. You can either buy from Artisanal or make a shopping list to take to your local cheese or grocery store.
For The Nester: How about a kit for making mulled wine, complete with the vino, mulling spices, recipe and two mugs? This DYI How-To shows you the way. For mulling spices, visit The Spice House. Just add in a bottle of Chianti or Cabernet and the mugs and you have a gift that will warm your loved one on a cold winter night. If you want to go over the top, for only another $14.50 you can slip a cute Wine Monkey on that bottle.
For the Person Who Is Kind of A Jerk But Can Take A Joke: I am not sure why you are buying anything for this person but if you insist, how about Gorman’s 2008 “The Bully” Cabernet Sauvignon for $45? Or the Troublemaker by Austin Hope NV “Blend 3” for $20? Throw one or the other in a festive bag and call it a day.
So there you have it. Happy gifting, dear readers. And if you have any other great holiday wine gift ideas, please send them in. Ho, ho, ho!