My inbox is full this time of year with queries from panicked holiday shoppers seeking guidance on a gift for the wine enthusiast on their list. No one wants to choose the "wrong" thing for fear, I suppose, their ignorance in matters of the vine might be exposed.
Well, the first thing I advise is to stay away from the bargain bin. Those wines may be great for holiday parties; as a symbol of your undying affection, not so much.
The second thing I tell everyone is to look beyond wine. You may ultimately settle upon a special or rare bottle of wine that befits the occasion, but true wine treasures only come at a price, often a steep price.
I usually begin my holiday shopping in the housewares department of my favorite department store. My first stop is usually at the display for wine decanters. I’ve never in my life met a single wine lover who had too many wine decanters.
There are practical reasons for owning a decanter. The most obvious is to aerate a young red wine and soften its tannins before serving. Older wines benefit as well, since decanting helps remove deposits of sediment that could spoil the presentation. Multiple decanters are convenient for anyone who hosts a dinner party and plans to serve more than one bottle of wine.
Over the years I’ve acquired decanters in all manner of shapes and sizes. Decanters can be very expensive, or not. Cut crystal decanters from Baccarat or Waterford may be gifts that will last a lifetime, but simple everyday glass decanters are most practical for those who serve wine on a nightly basis. I sometimes even decant white wines, a practice that enhances aroma.
How much should you pay for a decanter? I’ve spent hundreds of dollars on a single decanter, but a couple of years ago, I also found a utilitarian Riedel decanter on sale for less than $20. That’s why cruising the housewares department first is always a good idea; you never know what specials you will find on sale.
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Nearby, you likely will spy an assortment of stemware. When buying wine glasses for myself, I generally opt for simplicity and clean lines. You can spend wads of cash on delicate hand-blown crystal stems — as I have — or you can opt for more modest stems that can do the same job and look nice, too.
The advantage of modesty is that it cuts the expense, which is good because wine glasses sometimes break. I’ve lost my share over the years, and I have perhaps a half dozen incomplete "sets" of higher-end wine stems that are virtually useless for a dinner party of more than four.
Riedel has a couple of entry-level designs, which have served me well; they have turned out to be dishwasher safe, too.
While sipping in style, you can also save money if you look for off-the-beaten-path wine glass manufacturers, such as any number of brands from Czechoslovakia.
A wine aerator is another hot commodity for the wine enthusiast. They do work and take up less space than a decanter. I generally only use an aerator on young reds, though, because softening tannin is their primary function. You should be able to find a good aerator for between $30 and $40.
Finally, if I think a bottle of wine is really the only way to go, I shop with an eye open for the unusual wine. That would mean wines that are generally acquired for special occasions, or wines that arrive in an attractive package in keeping with the festive nature of the season.
If you are of a mind to splurge, luxury Champagne is the ultimate gift, for it is universally recognized as a gesture of great esteem. Dom Perignon’s vintage brut in the trademark green box is both elegant and eye-catching. Perignon’s brut and Nicolas Feuillatte’s Palmes d’Or vintage brut (in a black velvet bag) are gifting options that will no doubt generate long-lasting fond memories. Both will retail for about $150.
Port is another gift that is always welcome because it’s not something a wine lover enjoys necessarily on an everyday basis. Tawny Ports (20 years old and up) are classic wines, especially from the top houses, such as Grahams, Dow’s or Smith-Woodhouse. And Vintage Port from any declared vintage is inevitably a winner. The 2003 Vintage Ports are only now beginning to open up and show their greatness. Taylor-Fladgate and Fonseca are my go-to vintage Ports, though I am sometimes driven by price, and those would be among the most expensive.
You should expect to pay between $50 and $100 for a top-notch Port, depending upon age or vintage or producer, or some combination of those three elements.
Of course, sometimes the wine enthusiast in your life may be fond of a specific wine type, such as Bordeaux, Burgundy, Barolo or A-list California Cabernet Sauvignon. Whatever that preference may be, there is no need to shy away just because you lack familiarity with the wines that fit the bill.
Despite the explosion of online wine retail websites, there is still a place for the brick-and-mortar wine shop, where the staff is wine savvy and eager to help. If you are truly stumped and believe you must choose a special bottle that will absolutely be well received, do yourself a favor and visit an old-fashioned wine merchant.
They are a breed apart and could well become a valuable resource for wine insights for years to come.
To find out more about Robert Whitley and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.
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