Some folks don’t have their own wine blog, so they write down their wine notes every time they open a great bottle. If you know someone who jots down their wine notes in a regular notebook, then this gift is the ultimate upgrade. It looks fancy, has room for all the details for the wine, [...]
The Rabbit and other me-too’s have been more popular recently, but it all started with the original leverpull by Screwpull. I’ve owned one and been quite happy for almost ten years of rigorous use — it has been through several tastings that required the opening of 200 bottles or more (in one day). I think [...]
If one of your gift recipients has a full-blown wine cellar, these color-coded tags are the perfect present. One of the most annoying things when looking for a wine in a cellar is having to pull each bottle out to see what it is. In addition to identifying the wine, you can also write in [...]
Riedel is the name to remember when it comes to glassware, but you already knew that. Now that the Austrian glassmaker can be found in Targets throughout the US, is it still fancy enough for gift ideas? Of course … but you want to choose glasses that are more unique and unusual — and pricey. [...]
(FYI – all of the suggested gifts on this wine blog can be purchased from Amazon by clicking on its image) OK, this these are pretty geeky items — but still pretty cool. Basically, it’s for wines that need to breathe — think young, expensive Zins, Cabs, and mature Bordeaux and Burgundy. After placing the [...]
(click on images to learn more) This 7-item Accessory Gift Set ($55) has just about everything a wannabe snob could wish for, all encased in a fancy wood box. It includes a ‘patented’ one-hand cork screw, thermometer, stainless steel stopper, foil cutter, wine ring, pourer, and bottle cap. Good for someone who often entertains wine [...]
Do you know someone who keeps a “wine book” ? In other words, they keep notes on nearly every wine they drink, and glue a label next to their notes to help remember the wine? Well, it can be gosh-darn difficult to get the labels off of the bottles — especially if they use a [...]
Built NY Byobag Two-Bottle Tote, Cranberry Red $20 and under I have used and loved the BuiltNY two-wine carrier enough to give it out as a gift to several friends, and so I’m recommending it here as well. It’s made of the same stuff deep sea divers wear (neoprene), so it is very effective at [...]
Wine Clip Thermometer $15 or less More than half of the wine bottles you pick up have a “recommended serving temperature” stated on the back label. But does anyone notice? Does anyone care? Even if you did, how would you go about finding out the exact temperature of the wine in your bottle? I suppose [...]
OK, let’s get something straight — I HATE cutesy wine stoppers. But many people think they’re just so cute and wonderful and this one has a Christmas theme so here it is. It’s a three-piece set that includes Santa, boozed-up Blitzen, and an unidentified reindeer (looks like Donner to me, though which one they put [...]
I have been swirling, sniffing, and spitting wines as a PR / marketing professional in the wine industry since 1996, and currently head the marketing communications department for Opici Wines. You can follow me on Twitter @joejanish or @wineweekly.