Wine Gifts

By Nikki Berglund
Staff Writer

I am a huge online shopper for a number of reasons. It is easy, crowd-free, and the selection can’t be beat. Sorry West Acres, but unless I am shopping for my teenage niece or nephew…and I don’t have a teenage niece or nephew, you are just not doing it for me!

Given the time of year, I thought it might be fun to throw out some wine themed gift ideas for every type of wine lover in your life all of which can be ordered online. Along my journey, I found that the gifts available range from wacky to kitschy to just plain old barfy pretentious. I also found some really great stuff to please all of my wine-savvy friends (and myself—hint hint to my family if you are reading my articles…and I hope you are and not just pretending to!)

For the Host/Hostess

I first went on a mission to find a set of plastic wine glasses after having wine on the patio at the HoDo.  I love that they really do look and feel like a wine glass, until you pick them up and almost spill your wine on yourself because you have forgotten they aren’t glass. Before these, guests at our outdoor parties could expect to drink their wine out of keg cups, classy, I know! I haven’t notice any plasticky taste with them either. Although I purchased mine on the Target website (6 for $20.00) I think the ones mentioned below are a bit healthier and also come in a variety of shapes and sizes making them well worth the dollar or two more per glass. These are a gift I think my friends will really enjoy.

Napa Tritan BPA Free Plastic Wine Glasses:  “Napa plastic wine glasses and stemware presents your favorite wine varieties and cocktails at their best. With delicate stems and bowls shaped to enhance aroma and flavor, Napa plastic wine glasses tempt any connoisseur to enjoy their favorite pours without the worry of breakage. Plus, they’re crafted in unbreakable, BPA-free Tritan plastic for unmatched clarity and durability.” $4.95- $6.95 per glass. I found these at http://www.kidsmartliving.com.

Boozy Napkins: I am loving all of the hilarious cocktail napkins out there today! I have a very juvenile sense of humor that my family and my husband can attest to and these make a fantastic host(ess) gift to boot! Although not necessarily wine related, here are a few of my favorites examples available this season.

“All the stockings were hung by the chimney with care, until I dropped my cocktail and fell off the chair.”

“Always stop drinking when you hear someone sing ‘Holly-Jolly Christmas.’ And it’s you.”

“Deck the Halls with lots of cocktails!”

“Tis the season to be blitzened.”

“Call me. We’ll drink lunch.” (Ok this one isn’t wine or holiday related but made me laugh my butt off!)

For the Hardcore

Wine aerators are a relatively new concept in wine town. Basically you can instantly decant your wine right into your glass without all of the waiting and potential mess of a decanter. They seem like a gimmick but actually really do work. These started out pretty expensive but with more companies making them, are slowly coming down in price. Still, you may want to be a little “hardcore “about wine if you or someone you love invests in one for you. When shopping for an aerator, you want to make sure the company has a patent or patent pending to ensure you are getting what you pay for. This is one of the first, and also the one I have my eye on (Mom, are you reading this?)

Vinturi Red Wine Aerator: “Aerate wine in seconds for better taste. The Vinturi Red Wine Aerator is clearly on the cutting edge of wine aerating. Mixing just the right amount of air with your wine at the precise moments, this see-through aerator allows your reds to breathe instantly.  Results are a better bouquet, enhanced flavor, and a smoother finish. Perfect aeration in the time it takes to pour a glass.” $69.95 on http://www.wineenthusiast.com.

For the Art Lover

Any Print by Leonetto Cappiello:  Cappiello is an artist whom you never have heard of, but whose work you have almost certainly seen. Born in 1875, Cappiello was an Italian poster artist who has been called by some, “the father of modern advertising.” Many of his better known vintage prints advertise wine or other spirits and do so with bright vibrant colors that are perfect for all sorts of spaces. You can purchase an unframed print for pretty cheap—I found them on EBay from $8-$10 apiece.  The canvas versions are quite a bit more, ranging from $70 to well in the $100s.

For the Reader

“Reading Between the Lines,” by Terry Theise: Awhile back I was listening to The Splendid Table with Lynn Rossetto Kasper on NPR. That day she was interviewing a gentleman by the name of Terry Theise, who, although well known in the wine world as an importer had recently written his first book.  This is not your typical wine book but more about one man’s relationship with wine which borders on the spiritual.  It speaks of wine as a personal thing rather than just something to brag to all of your friends about. This can be found at http://www.amazon.com for around $16.00.

Here is an excerpt: “Wine, I discovered, could indeed be a thing of beauty. It could make you feel. It was endlessly changeable, and it played ever-wonderful variations on its themes; it wasn’t just lovely, it was interesting.  It was made in beautiful countryside, by sweet-natured people. And in many wines there were flavors I couldn’t begin to account for. Music was similarly evanescent, but music’s effects could usually be described; happy, sad, eerie, morose, pastoral, ecstatic, tender…but wine?”

For the Clueless (or if you want to buy your friend a ridiculous present)

Wine Glass Holder Necklace (Set of 2): “Keep your hands free at parties by keeping your wine close at heart with the Wine Glass Holder Necklace! The Wine Glass Holder Necklace holds a glass with wine without spilling, allowing you to eat and move around. This clever little clip with adjustable strap holds a regular-size stemmed glass to your chest, giving you the freedom to snack and socialize as you sip! The Wine Glass Holder Necklace is great for parties, wine tastings, festivals, bar-b-ques and tailgating.”  $9.99

All of the items I mentioned plus much much more can be found on these websites: http://www.thetipsygrape.com, http://www.williams-sonoma.com, http://www.winestuff.com, http://www.wineenthusiast.com, http://www.youneedadrink.com, http://www.onWineTime.com, http://www.amazon.com

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