Happy Holidays!! I hope you have completed all of your shopping and are not encountering the masses at the mall. If, however, you’re just now getting out to complete your shopping effort, here are some recommendations that might spur you along to gift-giving glory. I’m going to list wines of various varietals and price points as well as make a couple of wine accessory recommendations to help you along your merry way.
Whites:
- Hogue Late Harvest Riesling – $9.00 per bottle (sweet, apple essence – pairs well with spicy and/or citrus dishes)
- Kendall Jackson Vinter’s Reserve Chardonnay –$12.00 per bottle (buttery and oaky – a good staple)
- Joel Gott Oregon Pinot Gris – $14.00 per bottle (apple and lemon, lighter white)
- Chloe Pinot Grigio – $19.00 per bottle (slight fruit and a bit lighter)
- Whitehaven Sauvignon Blanc – $16.00 per bottle (slightly dry with essence of grapefruit and..well…grass essence)
- Conundrum White Blend – $24.00 per bottle (a bit of oak with honeysuckle and pear, good for drinking on its own)
- Sonoma Cutrer Russian River Valley Chardonnay – $25.00 per bottle (richer, slight butter, and mid-oakiness)
Reds:
- Argyle Pinot Noir – $20.00 per bottle (smooth, lighter-bodied Pinot Noir)
- Irony Pinot Noir – $14.00 per bottle (slightly sharp with tobacco and blackberry)
- Chateau St. Michelle Indian Wells Cabernet Sauvignon – $14.00 per botte (mid-oak, currant and plumb hints)
- Federalist Red Blend – $16.00 per bottle (earthy, slight tobacco, ending with a hint of cocoa)
- Raymond Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Reserve – $34.00 per bottle (bold with hints of chocolate and a slight licorice – lingering finish)
- Silver Oak Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon – $75.00 per bottle (velvety with essence of chocolate and berry)
You could always give wine accessories too. I hear that some people don’t actually finish a bottle of wine in one sitting. For those folks, a wine stopper would be a great addition to their kitchen or bar. The best wine stoppers are the functional ones. The truly functional ones will allow a person to lay the wine on its side in the fridge without its leaking. The decorative ones are great to look at, but many do not really seal that well. A second wine accessory option is just a really good wine opener. You can find good ones without having to spend $50. However, the battery-operated or electric openers would have probably saved me from carpal tunnel. A third option for those who love reds would be a nice decanter or wine aerator. Letting a good red breathe makes a big difference…for those with patience. Finally, the gift of yourself can make the biggest difference of all. The holidays are a great time of year for many, but not for all. Spending time with those going through difficult times during the holidays can be the most special gift you can give. Merry Christmas and blessings to you and yours!