As a author who works for a wine importer and moonlights pouring bottles at a pure wine bar in Brooklyn (hi there, freelance life), I attempt dozens of wines per week, and sometimes a number of in a single day. I do know what grapes and producers I like, and I purchase bottles for myself with reckless abandon (learn: with my suggestions). Whereas I like when mates convey over a particular bottle for us to share across the holidays, I have already got lots to go round. Or a minimum of I’d, if I might ever discover a wine key in my crowded kitchen.
It by no means happens to me to purchase all of the accoutrements that may significantly improve my wine ingesting: my glassware is a chaotic amalgam of sizes and shapes, largely pocketed—er, collected—from my favourite wine bars, and on condition that I don’t have sufficient room in my fridge to retailer my bottles, I’m responsible of often cooling down my wine with ice. I final did this whereas working a wine harvest in Alsace, France, and when the winemaker caught me I swore I’d by no means commit the crime once more.
And but, I nonetheless haven’t purchased myself a set of wine stones.
Most wine lovers I do know are the identical manner, splurging on bottles as an alternative of correct storage or different sensible wine equipment. In case you love somebody who loves wine, know that the very best items are issues they received’t purchase for themselves: Prime-notch stemware, books that go deep on pioneering producers, and a centerpiece-worthy decanter are nice locations to begin. For these deeply moved by the giving spirit, a subscription to The Vines—a luxurious wine membership that whisks members away on intimate, far-flung wine adventures for an informal $25,000 initiation charge—would absolutely be appreciated by your oenophile friends.I you’re in search of new mates, come by Frog Wine Bar to say hello. Till then, learn on to see a few of the finest items for wine lovers you should buy this 12 months.
A Nerdy Wine Guide
Having labored on a number of vineyards, I can confidently say that wine tastes higher when the one who makes it. Longtime Meals & Wine editor Ray Isle has spent the previous a number of years doing precisely that. His debut e book paints intimate portraits of sustainably-minded winemakers from all over the world, spanning pioneers of pure wine in Austria to longtime family-run vineyards in Oregon’s Willamette Valley. It’s a tome that can introduce you to your new favourite wines, which after all pair superbly with the e book.
A Luxe Wine Key
The wine lover in your life most likely already has a corkscrew or two, however as somebody who loses one of their tote bag on a weekly foundation, I promise there’s no such factor as having too many wine openers. This wine key—which differs from a cumbersome, tedious two-armed corkscrew—is compact, elegant, and crafted from sturdy chrome steel and laminated wooden. It’s made by the enduring French model Château Laguiole, and comes with an elegant leather-based holster for handy carrying.
A Curated Wine Bundle
Half subscription service, half retailer, shopping for from The Waves is like having your personal pure wine concierge. In case you’re not sure which bottles to present a good friend, they’ll be sure that it’s not simply the thought that counts, however the style, too. Based by award-winning somms, the location provides expertly-curated bundles of wines which might be free from chemical compounds and components. My favourite three-pack is The Wild Bunch, which features a pét-nat, an orange wine, and a relaxing crimson—a.ok.a. the holy trinity of enjoyable, easy-drinking wines. For a present that retains on giving, think about springing for his or her two-, six-, or twelve-bottle month-to-month subscription.
A Gadget That Retains Open Wine Contemporary For Weeks
In case you’re seeking to open a bottle of wine however don’t assume you’ll end it, I’d say a) invite me over or b) put money into a Coravin. This revolutionary gadget retains wines tasting contemporary for as much as 4 weeks, which means you may serve your self by-the-glass and even host an at-home tasting with a flight of your favourite wines (once more, invite me over!). It’s tremendous easy to make use of: Merely change the cork or cap with the included Pivot Stopper. If you’re able to revisit the bottle, insert the Pivot Gadget, tip the bottle, press the button, and marvel at how good the wine tastes weeks later.
A Custom-made Wine Tote
In case your good friend is at all times the one lugging wine to the social gathering or park picnic, the least you are able to do is thank them with a tote that can make their life simpler. This monogrammed canvas bag suits as much as 4 bottles, and helps to maintain them from knocking about due to the inside lining. You may personalize the monogram in addition to the strap colour.
A Customized Wine Label
Corny? Sure. Charming? Additionally sure. A customized wine label is no matter you need it to be: an earnest celebration of an engagement, a cheeky snapshot of your lover, or a foolish selfie of you and your BFF after one too many bottles.
A Wine Fridge
I could not have an age-worthy assortment of Bordeaux wines, however I do have a child-sized fridge in my Brooklyn house, and enjoying Tetris with all my groceries and wine bottles was a headache. Springing for a wine cooler has provided me a lot area to retailer my wines, and the cut up zone makes it simple to set the highest and backside part to completely different temperatures to swimsuit a wide range of wines. Since my kitchen is compact, I take advantage of the highest of the cooler as additional counter area, adorning it with potted crops and books. Plus, if I ever get determined or run out of wine (one in the identical, I suppose), I might at all times use it for shoe storage, à la Carrie Bradshaw.
Some Good Wine Glasses
Relating to gifting glassware, there are two choices: a branded glass out of your good friend’s favourite wine bar, or this set of stylish tulip glasses from Riedel. Forgo bulbous or ultra-delicate stemware, which takes up an excessive amount of area and sometimes feels too treasured to make use of. As an alternative, go for a reasonably and sensible choice that can be utilized for each crimson and white wines. I like these as a result of they’re dishwasher-safe, and really feel sturdy sufficient to make use of with frequency. They’re glossy, however not pretentious.
An Artsy Decanter
Decanters do a fantastic job of separating out sediment from wines whereas additionally trying attractive on a eating room desk. I just like the coiled design of this borosilicate glass one from Wine Fanatic, which seems like a center faculty science experiment gone proper. Even mates who don’t get pleasure from wine will get a kick out of watching grape juice twirl by way of the double spirals, which serve to decant the wine whereas oxygenating it, leading to fuller flavors and aromas.
Wine Stones
Look, I’m not going to evaluate you for those who put ice in your wine, however inevitably another person will. To offer your glass that freshly-chilled feeling with out risking the side-eye from a French winemaker, go for a set of chrome steel stones. They cool wine shortly with out diluting it or imparting any undesirable flavors.
