‘Twas just days before Christmas and shopping’s not done?
Alas, these suggestions are second to none
From online to retail, you can spend all your cash
And make others happy with gifts full of flash
Whatever you choose – books, whisky or wine
Your holiday season is sure to shine!
WHITE WINES
These two wines are ideal whites for your holiday sipping.
2015 Flora Springs Dashaway Chardonnay $45
Flora Springs has fun with holidays. Whether Halloween or Christmas, their creative labels and etched bottles always make me smile. The wine inside is delicious, as well. This full-bodied Chardonnay with a wintery potpourri of brown spice aromas, is a white to uncork this holiday season.
2016 Vietti – Roero Arneis $23
Not only are Vietti’s wines world-class, this unique white evokes a feeling of holiday spirit just from looking at the beautiful label. Arneis is a star grape in northern Italy and this crisp white sports savory complexity.
WHISKY GIFTS
Like the perfect novel, the Bowmore Vintner’s Trilogy has the perfect beginning, middle and end.
For that discerning whisky drinker in your life, try the Bowmore Vintner’s Trilogy, a new series of limited edition whiskies that have been aged in a variety of ex-wine, sherry and port casks at Bowmore’s famed No. 1 Vaults. Just in time for holiday gifting season, they are launching two of the three in the trilogy, with the third and final 27 Years Old bottling to be released in Fall 2018.
Bowmore 18 Years Old Double Matured Manzanilla which is matured in both ex-bourbon barrels and ex-manzanilla sherry barrels. It has a suggested price of $127 for 750ml.
Bowmore 26 Years Old Wine Barriques Matured which spent its first 13 years in ex-bourbon barrels before a second maturation of 13 years in wine barriques. This full-bodied whisky has a suggested retail price of $540 for 750ml.
Bowmore 27 Years Old will be released in fall of 2018 and will complete the collection.
Suntory Whisky Toki $35
This beautiful Japanese Whisky is elegant and stylish. With a slightly sweet and peppery finish, this whisky is a perfect gift for that libation lover in your life.
RED AND GREEN
Taylor Fladgate 325 $35
If sipping a smooth Port fireside is your thing, then drinking Taylor Fladgate’s “325” Port is right up your alley. A blend of aged tawny ports, “325” celebrates the 325 years since Jon Bearsely sailed to Portugal to begin his wine business. The rest, as they say, is history.
i Quercioli Lambrusco Secco $11
i Quercioli Lambrusco Dolce $11
These two Lambruscos from the house of Medici Ermete come in both dry (secco) and sweet (dolce) styles. The slightly fizzy nature of the ruby-hued Lambrusco adds a festive sparkle to any holiday party or gift!
SUPPORT NAPA AND SONOMA
With the tragedies of the Wine Country Wildfires this year, it’s important to continue to support the local Napa and Sonoma wineries. Their success depends on your business and support. Try out these holiday wines and gift sets from some of the best.
Flora Springs – Joy to the World Red Blend $65
This blend from the ever-festive Flora Springs, is part of a holiday tradition that began as an exclusive offering to wine club members and has since become a staple of their holiday celebrations. Each year they create new holiday artwork to provide unique, limited-edition Napa Valley wines to use as gifts, share with friends or add to your collection. This red blend is features the Joyful Angel, herald of the holidays.
B.R.Cohn 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon Olive Hill Estate Vineyard $58
Celebrate the bounty of Sonoma County with this delicious Cabernet Sauvignon. A ripe, dark fruit and deep flavored Cab, it pairs remarkably well with another one of B.R. Cohn’s finest, their estate olive oil. Get the oil and vinegar set to create the perfect Sonoma County gift basket.
SILVER AND GOLD
Nothing says the holidays like bubbles. But where many think exclusively sparkling wine, I’ve included an decadent beer in this category, as well. And with all of them wrapped in holiday decor, you can’t go wrong.
An affordable option for holiday gift giving, wrapped up in gorgeous packaging.
A slightly higher price point but Moët Impérial is the House’s iconic champagne. Created in 1869, it embodies Moët & Chandon’s style.
Le Grand Courtage Blanc de Blanc – Brut $50
Want some bling with your bubbles? Le Grand Courtage comes bedazzled, just for the holiday season.
Rodenbach Grand Cru Red Ale 2015 $11
This Rodenbach Red Ale is a unique Flemish red-brown ale that is matured for 2 years in oak casks.
READING FROM THE VINE
Why not get a bottle and a book for the wine lover in your life? Here are some of my favorite releases of 2017
Red Wine – The Comprehensive Guide to the 50 Essential Varieties and Style- Kevin Zraly, Mike DeSimone and Jeff Jennsen $20
Rosé All Day – The Essential Guide to your New Favorite Wine $18 – Katherine Cole
Cork Dork: A Wine-Fueled Adventure Among the Obsessive Sommeliers, Big Bottle Hunters, and Rogue Scientists Who Taught Me to Live for Taste – Bianca Bosker $30
The Vineyard Years – A Memoir with Recipes – Susan Sokol Blosser $30
Drink Pink – A Celebration of Rosé – Victoria James and Lyle Railsback $12
FREEBIES
Buying for the holidays can get exhausting, and expensive! So one last little gift that will cost you absolutely nothing. Grab this app, some colored pencils and a bottle of wine!
