This is one of my favorite times of year… gone are the days of bringing the cheap white wine to the cabin and sitting on the dock. Around the holidays you want to bring your “A” game! That means better wine, great food, and sharing both with family and friends. Shopping for a wine lover can be tricky, trust me! Most people who really love wine or even those who are learning are going to be picky about what they drink. Now this guide is definitely for the person who is afraid of going to the back of the LCBO… or even for those who get overwhelmed at the front… if you don’t know the difference between Merlot and Cabernet here is where to start. One notable item missing from my list is that fancy corkscrew that seems like a such a good idea. You know the one I’m talking about, it comes in a mahogany case with several other wine accessories that will never get used… or it required 4 double a batteries and once they burn out will never see the light of day again. Trust me your wine lover has a cork screw that they really like … or in my case has a drawer full of corkscrews that they love. You my dear Christmas Shopper can do much better than that.
1. Books! – There are some really great books out this year about wine. I love reading about wine because it can give you direction, especially if you have fallen into a funk and you’re drinking the same thing every week. There are some great authors who can paint a picture of what a wine might taste like and help guide your wine lover out of their rut.
- The Drops of God – Tadashi Agi/Shu Okimoto – available at http://animationroadshow.blogspot.ca/ (386 Bloor St W, Toronto)
This is the story of Kanzaki Shizuku, a young man who upon the death of his father (a famous wine critic) must fine the 13 best bottles of wine in the world in order to gain his inheritance. This is a Japanese style graphic novel and is neat for many reasons. One of them being the unique descriptions as the characters work their way through different bottles of wine. There are currently 5 volumes available in English. - Unquenchable: A Tipsy Quest for the World’s Best Bargain Wines – Natalie MacLean
This is a wonderful, fun book that reads like a great bottle wine … it goes down a little too easy. Natalie Maclean (http://www.nataliemaclean.com/) has collected her journey through 8 different wine regions all over the world. Not only does it have great stories of visits to wineries all over the world, but also food pairings, and wine listings making your trip to the LCBO a little bit easier once you’re done the book. - Spectacular Wineries of Ontario – Steven Elphick, Photographer
The title of this book uses the word “Spectacular” and it definitely delivers. Photographer Steven Elphick has captured some of the best wineries in Ontario in ways that I thought could only be experienced in person. This book would be great on anyone’s coffee table and is a great way to plan your next trip down to the wineries of Ontario.
2. Stemware! – You don’t need to break the bank on this one. Often when I review a wine I will say that it is too good to share… there is nothing wrong with being a little selfish once in a while. What I believe is overlooked by those who are new to wine is how much having good wine glasses can elevate a great bottle of wine. Buying proper wine glasses can be as overwhelming as picking a great bottle from the LCBO… but it doesn’t need to be complicated.
Riedel has wine glasses that are simply labeled for “Red” or “White” wines. The best part is picking up these glasses gives you a lot of options on your budget. Buying someone a set of 8 red and white wine glasses can be pretty expensive… but pair of the Red or White glasses from Riedel run $24.80 each! A little pricier … but one thing that I know most people at home are missing are proper glasses to serve Icewine. A pair of icewine glasses costs $86.00.
http://riedelcanada.ca/red-wine-glass-1.html
http://riedelcanada.ca/white-wine-glass-1.html
http://riedelcanada.ca/icewine-glass.html
Wine glasses are not the only piece of glassware you can look at. If that wine lover you are shopping for loves Red wine, they might be missing a decanter. A decanter is a tool to help aerate red wines… Decanters can vary in price from 15$ to anywhere in the hundreds. This one from Schott Zwiesel is a fairly standard decanter, from a well-recognized brand known for great wine glassware.
http://www.winestuff.com/wine-decanters/schott-zwiesel-tritan-diva-decanter.html
3. Now for my favorite gift that I have found this year is a lot of fun. It is a USB key shaped like a cork… I mean this is pretty self explanatory… almost everyone needs a USB key in one way, shape or form these days. One of my favorite gifts from my family members is a USB key filled with photographs.
http://www.promokeychain.com/usb-flash-drive-wine-cork-p-188.html
