The Holiday season is upon us. Why not give wine? Hey, you may get lucky and be invited to share it ““ at the time, or over dinner a few years later. Increase your chances by writing your name and message right on the bottle. You’ll need one of those silver ink pens.
Of course it helps if you know the “˜likes’ of your friends, relatives or colleagues. Scan the following list and see if anything fits. If you’re after something less expensive, wait for next week’s Holiday Drinking List.
P.S. Should you be more into receiving than giving, try leaving my list on the bathroom mirror!
BILLY’S BEST ELEVEN HOLIDAY WINE GIFTS
. . . hostess gift. Including a food item shows that you can think beyond alcohol! GABBIANO 09 Chianti Classico Riserva, Tuscany, Italy + olive oil 384594 Vintages $34.95
. . . for the Pinot fan. Shea was one of the Pinot Pioneers in Oregon, and this wine is a charmer. SHEA CELLARS 11 Pinot Noir “˜Shea Vineyard’, Willamette Valley, Oregon 186882 Vintages $58.95
. . . rich red for the cellar. There is something magical, “˜empirical’ about a big bottle of Chateauneuf du Pape. Power and pomp. Something to also consider for anniversaries, big birthdays, etc. The hardest thing about this gift, is giving it away! CHATEAU DE BEAUCASTEL 12 Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone, France 711317 Vintages $89.95~ 986356 Vintages 1500ml/$179.95~ 977249 Vintages 2000ml/$412.95
. . . serious, soulful Amarone. Forget “˜yummy’, this is a classy wine for the connoisseur in your gang. Sure to be “˜much appreciated’. MASI “˜Mazzano’ 07 Amarone della Valpolicella, Veneto, Italy 215764 Vintages $101.95
. . . classy Napa Cab. At a recent tasting it blew away wines at twice the price. STAGS’ LEAP 10 “˜The Leap Estate’ Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, California 142844 Vintages $89.95
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. . exotic, lush Malbec ““ made by two of Canada’s best winemakers. Honest! Read more here~ VERSADO Reserva 10 Malbec, Mendoza, Argentina 316984 Vintages $60.95
. . . tall, handsome local. One Niagara’s best editions of the Bordeaux blend. In a striking bottle. Great “˜bang for-the-buck’ here. TRIUS RED 12, VQA Niagara 393314 Vintages 1500ml/$49.95
. . . tall handsome Italian. Top Barolo from a top year. At a fair price considering the quality. MARCHESI DI BAROLO 10 Cannubi, Piedmont, Italy 709196 Vintages 1500ml/$139.95
. . . toasty, mature Champagne for lovers. There’s a little extra thrill in this 10-year-old baby. VEUVE CLICQUOT 04 Brut Rosé Champagne, France 588475 Vintages $99.95
. . . one of the world’s great drink experiences. Chartreuse has a mystical quality putting it in a league of its own. CHARTREUSE “˜Green’, France 393934 Vintages 500ml/$89.95
And finally, the ultimate corporate gift. Just in case you owe someone a really, REALLY BIG favour. CLASSIC~ SET OF NINE BORDEAUX WINES From the 2010 vintage, one bottle each of the “˜big hitters’. Ch. d’Yquem, Ch. Cheval Blanc, Ch. Petrus, Ch. La Mission Haut-Brion, Ch. Latour, Ch. Lafite Rothschild, Ch. Mouton Rothschild, Ch. Haut-Brion, Ch. Margaux.
263566 Vintages Classics Collection $18,995.00
(Order at vintagesshoponline.com)
Thanks for all your great advice, Billy, and the best of the Season to you and Kato.
I think you should do a poll after Christmas, and see if anyone went for the $20,000 package. Won’t be me – I don’t owe anyone that much!
Ross
thanks Billy! I look forward to the lower priced listing next week though!
Thank you Billy. May you never stop tasting (or should I say drinking like all of us) wines and giving us your great words of wisdom! It is much appreciated. Again thank you.
Little chance of that Sam!