2016 Holiday Gift Guide - Books and More for the Wine Lover

Not sure what to get your wine loving friend for the Holidays, You are in the right place.  All year long I'm out and about, reading, tasting and visiting.This year I've gathered a few books I think people will enjoy.  Also a great opportunity for my readers to purchase some of the wines you've read about from the program I participate in at #WINESTUDIO.

Let's get started with the books.  We all remember Miles and Jack from Sideways. They get back together in the sequel Vertical by Rex Pickett and travel to Oregon.to attend the International Pinot Noir festival. Join them on their adventure and of course there are many escapades that follow. Miles mom even joins them. The book will have you laughing but keep a box of tissues close by.

Hungry for Wine by Cathy Huyghe is about her own personal journey into wine. From tastings in Boston to traveling the world and meeting the people behind the wine. The stories about the people and families and their flight to pursue great winemaking and their passion.

A Perfect Score by Craig and Kathryn Hall is the personal journey of Craig and Kathryn Hall in establishing Hall Wines. From losing their first vintage to becoming one of Napa's premiere wineries. The triumphs and struggles along the way.

Champagne by DavidWhite is a great book for the Champagne lover or someone wanting to learn more about the bubbles. This book is comprehensive from the history of the region to the profiling of the producers. To go along with this book I would suggest a set of Riedel Veritas Champagne glasses. (I just purchased them for my husband for Christmas because he broke two of the four we had. Shh...don't tell him)

Why You Like The Wines You Like by Tin Hanni MW will give you great insight on why you like certain wines and others may not. Never be afraid to voice your opinion and say what you taste as there are reasons why you taste certain flavors and others don't.

If you read my posts you know I participate in a program Tuesday evenings on twitter called #Winestudio. This program brings to us, small wine producers from around the world to educate us on their wine, philosophy, wine region, history and more. Through #Winestudio I can offer you some fabulous deals on some great wine gifts. I'll highlight some below.  For more information visit #WINESTUDIO and when ordering use the code #WINESTUDIO for the discount.

If your wine lover like a certain wine region, perhaps a collectible framed wine map from Vinmaps for their wine room or living room.

Troon Vineyard is offering FREE shipping.  You can't go wrong with any of their selections

Y. Rousseau Wines is offering 15% off.  Try their Colombard.

Passagio Wines has offered free shipping.  I was very impressed their Rose.

Tercero Wines is offering 15% off their Rhone offerings.

Wine of Marche is offering 20% off all their wines.  Try their Pecorino.

Dracaena Wines is offering 15% off their Cabernet Franc.

If you know someone in the wine or restaurant trade take a look at the SommKit a place for organization for all the tools of their trade.

For the person who is high stress and enjoys to color check out the Wine Coloring Book

Remember to use the promo code #WINESTUDIO for any of the above offerings to receive the discount. You won't be disappointed and your gift will be enjoyed!

Give the Gift of a Wine Club

One of the best compliments was when I gave a 6 month subscription to the California Wine Club as a wedding present.  The bride told me that was the best wedding gift they received.

So this Holiday Season give the gift of a wine club.  Here are some suggestions to find the right wine club for that person on your list.

Know the person you are buying for.  Don't try to impress them with expensive bottles that they themselves aren't going to be able to purchase.  You want to make this fun and enjoyable.

Do they like red or white?  There are some wine clubs that you can specify for the white or red wine drinker.

What region do you want to introduce them to?

Then decide on the amount of months you are going to gift them.  There are usually 3, 6, 12 month subscriptions or quarterly.

Here are some suggestions:

California Wine Club This wine club offers  a few regional clubs.  You can subscribe to the Premier Series is a great introduction to the California wine scene.  The average bottle price here ranges from $10-$15.  One step us is their Signature Series as these wines are usually priced $25 and up. If you want to expose your friend to the international scene try their International Series.  With this club they will recieve hancrafted wines from all around the world.  The prices for the wine are $19 up.  If Washington State or Oregon wines are their favorite, they have a Pacific Northwest Series where they will receive wines from Oregon and Washington's small family wineries.  The prices on the wine here begin around $20 up.

Vintners Collective If you looking to send the gift of big California reds, this is the club to get.  Many of the wines are from small boutique wineries that often don't have tasting rooms.

Oregon Pinot Noir Club This is a great club to experience Oregon Pinot Noir. There are three levels to choose from.  Most of the selections are on the higher end wines.  What is nice is as a member you also have access to purchase Futures in the fall. Average price per bottle is $30

Club W Experience Here you can design a club based on their tasting profiles, so you will need to know your friend well.  The average price per bottle in this club is $13

Tasting Room by Lot 18 This is another profile based wine club.  Here they will receive a tasting kit of 5 mini bottles of wine to try.  From there they can set up their profile to receive the regular size bottles every month based on their preferences.

Also don't forget you favorite winery.  Many wineries offer wine clubs.  If you think your friend will like those wines, set them up with a subscription.

3 Books for the Wine Lover on your List

Whether the person on you list is to wine, likes wine or just wants to know about wine, here are three book suggestions on an overall get to know wine.

WineWise by Steven Kolpan, Michael A Weiss and Brian H Smith, all professors of wine at the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, NY.

This is a get to know your wine and wine region book. They nicely explain the wine regions and also notable wines from the region, both inexpensive and expensive.

They spend time in California, Washington, Oregon and New York wine regions. Take you to South America and cover Chile and Arentina before heading Down Under to Australia, New Zealand and South Africa.

That about takes you half way through the book before you head to the European wine regions. Here you go into the major wine producing countries in detail.

They finish the book with food pairings and navigating through a restaurant wine list.

A good all around book for the person who wants some knowledge on wine. It sells for $24.68 on Amazon.

For the person who wants to take that wine course, but can't seem to fit it in their schedule, Kevin Zraly's, Windows on the world Complete Wine Course 30th Anniversary Edition is for them.  

This book makes you feel like you are in the classroom with Kevin.  There are QR Codes with links to explain pronunciations and a few videos along the way.  

He goes into the wine regions, wine and food, the major grapes of the region and more.  Even has a tasting worksheet and guidance on the wines to purchase for each tasting.  Yes you will be tasting. Don't let me forget the quizzes.  Don't be alarmed, but after each class (chapter) there is a quiz.  Just like attending wine school in person.

Kevin's Window on the World Complete Wine Course sells for $17.85 on Amazon

For you girlfriend that wants to know wine, I suggest the Saucy Sisters Guide to Wine.  This book, Barbara and Beverly speak to you about wine, girlfriend to girlfriend.  Even at times comparing wine to fashion and men. At times they will have you laughing so hard you might choke on that sip. 

Not sure how to shop for wine, don't worry they give your some good strategies for both purchasing on line and in your local wine shop.

Need some selections to pair with life events such as first date, wedding, first child, divorce, death. No worries, they take those feeling and pair it to a wine complete with explanation.

A fun book to learn about wine with a bunch of laughs on the way.  

The book sells for $9.97 on Amazon and is available on Kindle too.

Wine Pairings for the Associates in Your Life

Ever get stumped on what to purchase for the associates in your life.  The hairdresser, your boss, personal trainer etc...  Natalie McLean, of Nat Decants has put together a list of what to get for your associates.  I have added local wine suggestions next to each associate.  As of writing this post, the wines were available in the tasting rooms at all the wineries.  Some wines you will be able to find in local liquor/wine stores. If you don't see them, just ask.

Natalie’s Top Ten Gift Wines for Your ...

1. Hairdresser: For the person who combines humor and optimism every time she styles your mop. Go for a light, gulpable wine like a dry rosé. It’s versatile and fuss-free—a great quaff for your coif.  (Millbrook Vineyards and Winery Hunt Country Rose $15; or Benmarl Winery Rose)

2. Psychiatrist: Of course, he’ll analyze whatever you give him so choose a wine that’s all about balance. Easy-drinking pinot noir is medium-bodied yet packed with flavor. Surprise him with a large-format bottle, like a magnum. Big thinking means big progress for you. This wine also works for psychologists, marriage counselors and bartenders. (Millbrook Vineyard and Winery 2009 Pinot Noir $18)

3. The Boss: Pick too pricey a wine and your boss will think your last raise was too much; go cheap, and she’ll think you lack judgement. Focus on a label with a lot of white space since that makes the bottle look more expensive. A castle in the distance also works, but avoid fluffy animals. (Whitecliff Vineyards and Winery 2009 Gamay Noir $16.95 )

  

4. Personal Trainer: Think a muscular, robust red would work? Hold that position. Instead, try riesling: this light white wine pairs well with a health-nut diet of salad and seafood, plus it’s low in alcohol. You can also give it to Pilates instructors, yoga masters and Tai Chi coaches.(Brotherhood Winery Dry or Semi-Dry Riesling $9.99)

  

5. Financial Planner: You and he both know it’s going to take decades before your portfolio recovers after the crash of 2008. With that long-term view, vintage port makes the perfect gift. This fortified wine from northern Portugal, with its long aging potential, will be around for both of you into your retirements. (Brotherhood Winery Ruby Port $9.99)

  

6. Travel Agent: She’s been everywhere and seen everything, so go local with your choice of wine. Even better, if you live close to the winery, get the bottle signed by the winemaker. (Hudson-Chatham Winery 2009 Baco Noir)

7. Teacher: If you can’t find a suitably obscure wine with a Latin name, there’s always cream sherry. It’s the tipple of Oxford dons, not to mention the centerpiece of Edgar Allan Poe’s classic short story The Case of the Amontillado. (Brookview Station Winery Whistle-Stop White $12.99)

  

8. Mail Deliverer: Go for a winery that’s consistent year after year in producing a wine that can be enjoyed in snow, rain, sleet or hail. Try an Australian shiraz or Argentine malbec. (Whitecliff Vineyards and Winery 2009 Malbec $18.95)

9. Mechanic: Yes, there’s a wine called Red Truck, but try to be more imaginative. Why not give a wine made by Mario Andretti in California or Ferrari in Italy? (Glorie Farm Winery Red Monkey $13.50)

10. Online Date: So you’re on your second or third rendezvous with the person you met on eHarmony or Dating.com. If you’re not sure yet whether marriage is a possibility, try something middle-of-the-road, like merlot. Yes, it’s the soft jazz of wine, but until you know, play it safe. (Palaia Vineyards Merlot $18.99)

And after all that shopping, don’t forget yourself: even Santa’s little helpers need more than milk and cookies. Try something with high-alcohol like Italian Amarone or Rhone syrah: these big reds easily drown out tone-deaf caroling and pair beautifully with tired feet. (Whitecliff Vineyard and Winery 2008 Sky Island Red $23.95, Millbrook Vineyards and Winery, Millbrook Vineyards and Winery 2007 Cabernet Franc Proprietor's Special Reserve $29, Oak Summit 2008 Pinot Noir $30)