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It’s shopping time! Holiday lists can be overwhelming but there are a few friends, colleagues and family members who will relish anything wine-related. From the wine neophyte to the connoisseur, expect no re-gifting of these finds.
FOR SOMEONE WHO HAS EVERYTHING
Well, everything except a Champagne decanter! Yes, this is a thing, and what a beauty the new Passion Collection decanter is. The design is a partnership between famed Baccarat and Boisset Collection founder Jean-Charles Boisset, owner of boutique wineries in northern California and France. Add the newest line of Passion Collection crystal Champagne goblets or wine glasses, and you’ve got Christmas for Her Majesty. $960
RACY RED LOVER
Seeking an unforgettable gift for the racing fan? Adobe Road Winery’s The Racing Series Gift Pack will surely rev him up. This luxury set showcases Adobe Road’s newest line of four ultra-premium California red blends paying homage to founder Kevin Buckler’s history on the track, as race-car driver and CEO of the winningest privateer racing team in North America, The Racer’s Group. $279
C’MON, JOIN THE CLUB
Winery membership clubs are a fun way to try new wines without shopping and indulge in wine country travel for release parties and winery events. But some clubs are extraordinary, like the Jordan Estate Rewards program. Buy Jordan wines, estate olive oil, signature caviar and Champagne, and earn points for perks including overnight stays in its European style guest rooms, interactive cooking lunches, spectacular dinners, and estate tastings including Champagne and caviar. MacRostie, Alexander Valley Vineyards and new Torcia Winery in Napa and are a few other popular California wineries to consider. Cheers to the gift that keeps on giving!
THREE IS BETTER THAN ONE
Gift boxes are a snap to order online and ship to that extra special client, your favorite California wine country travel pal or wine geeks you need to impress. Consider The Cellar Enthusiast, three of Chateau Montelena’s coveted library bottles (two chardonnays and one 2014 cabernet sauvignon), presented in a black gift box. Pinot fanatics will cherish a Benovia holiday gift box and, for the party animal, Line 39 party packs include chardonnay, pinot noir and cabernet sauvignon in a festively designed box with silk cord carrying handle—terrific wine and reasonably priced!
FOR THE PAIRING GEEK
The “Wine Food: New Adventures in Cooking and Drinking” cookbook presents wine pairings for the evolving breed of cook seeking a wider range of wines to match the rustic, casual, global food they love. Natural wine bar and winery owner Dana Frank partners with author and stylist Andrea Slonecker to deliver 75 recipes for brunches, vegetable dishes, picnics, weeknight dinners and feasts with friends inspired by delicious, affordable wines that pair beautifully. $22.50
CORK DORKS
Who wants to be fiddling with messy corkscrews or breaking corks, especially when entertaining? Enter the Oster rechargeable electric corkscrew ($20). It works like a dream and is a big bang for small bucks. Also handy are The Rabbit plastic stoppers, which fit any uncorked wine bottle (great stocking stuffer 2/$5). Speaking of, a Champagne bottle stopper is magical—clamp it properly and your bubbles stay intact along with a bottle pop upon re-opening. Sleigh all day!
Cover photo courtesy Thought Catalog on Unsplash
Robin Barr Sussman ([email protected]) is a freelance culinary, wine and travel writer who studied at the Culinary Institute of America Greystone, Calif. As a chef for Sonoma County wineries, her specialty was food and wine pairing. Sussman is a reporter and columnist for Houston Modern Luxury Magazine, Prime Living, and Houston House & Home. Her work appears in Texas Monthly, Fodor’s, Weddings, Grape, and Private Clubs Magazine.