HOLIDAY WINING

By Robyn James, Proprietor,

The Wine Cellar and Tasting Room

Every December I always reminisce about my Christmas as a senior in high school in Virginia.  That was the year I sat on the floor by the Christmas tree and opened the two big gifts from my mother.  The first box contained a pair of knickers that appeared to be from the same material as our couch in the living room and the second was a pair of thigh high white patent leather boots with great big platform soles. Much to my mother’s chagrin, I have never laughed so hard in my life.  Back to the store they went, but not before I put them on and modeled them for my best friend next door.  She, too, could barely contain herself.  That shopkeeper was not happy to get those items back; she must have seen my mom coming from a mile away.

It was beyond me how two people could live in the same house for nearly twenty years and be so oblivious to one’s personal taste.  My mom was sure I wanted to look like Jane Fonda in Barbarella when I actually idolized Jaclyn Smith in Charlie’s Angels. 

That’s why everybody should give wine for Christmas.  I guess that’s a stretch from my previous story, but being a shopkeeper in my adult life now, I can tell you, it’s a gift that is rarely returned.  Even if one was to commit what would seem to be a faux pas by gifting wine to a teetotaler, hey, they are usually buying wine for entertaining others in their homes.

It’s the best kind of gift, one that is savored and consumed over time, creating a pleasant mood or accompanying a nice meal.  It’s a gift that is always welcome to be duplicated, year after year, and with U.S. wine consumption up 63% since 1991, it’s looking like pretty sure thing to be a hit.  And, you certainly don’t have to break the bank to get a quality wine; the market is awash in beautiful selections that cost $10 to $15 a bottle.  If you can get a case discount, it’s a great idea to just get a whole case gift bagged and you are at the ready for your hostess and co-worker gifts over the holidays. 

What wine to give?  Of course, if you know what type of wine your friend likes, then you’re golden.  A reputable wine merchant can direct you to that particular varietal which is a quality wine matching your budget.  If you are clueless about their taste, there are certain categories I recommend.  Red and white wine consumption are nearly identical, with red just fractionally ahead of white.  Shiraz and Pinot Noir are both really safe red choices in my mind.  They have very wide appeal and usually Cabernet and Merlot drinkers are very happy with a Shiraz or Pinot.  They are not as tannic (bitter) as most varietals, and the taste for tannin is an acquired one.    As is the taste for strong acidity in white wines, so I recommend taking the middle road of white with a Chardonnay or perhaps a dry Riesling from Australia rather than a Sauvignon Blanc (very acidic) or a German Riesling (usually very sweet).  A Chardonnay should be a tad buttery and oaky and everyone can usually appreciate that with a nice piece of Salmon for dinner.

Pinot Grigio is really popular right now in the wine world, and while certainly not oaky or buttery, its nice fruit and zippy character have wide appeal.

As interest in wine has taken off, the wine accessory market has followed suit.  The hottest thing this Christmas in glassware is the Riedel O’s.  These are stem less glasses that you hold by the bowl.  I know it doesn’t make a lot of sense since we’ve always been told to hold the glass by the stem so our hand doesn’t warm the wine, but everybody loves them and they are selling like crazy.  Riedel has marketed them as their “kitchen glasses”, casual glassware that you might use while cooking.  I think the real selling point is they don’t tip over and break or chip.  They released a Pink O glass that donates 15% of the profits to Breast Cancer research and these have become very popular gifts for women.  The red wine Riedel O sells for about $25 a pair, and the white O is around $20 a pair.

Another cool addition to wine accessories is the Byobag, a two bottle carrying bag made of neoprene, that is casual and unpretentious, available in several colors.  This sells for about $15. 

Other little stocking stuffer type things are wine and food matching refrigerator magnets, the Wine Smarts trivia game and various decorative stoppers, from horses to golf balls.

So, pass on the boots this year and think about giving the gift of the grape.