Today the Wine Pairing Weekend crew is posting about Giving the Gift of Wine. You can read David's preview on Cooking Chat. It's timely as we race headlong into the holiday season.
As Christmas approaches, I always tend to have extra wine bottles on hand...in case people drop by and I want to uncork something or in case we are invited somewhere and I need a quick hostess present. Also, wines are a favorite gift for most of my circle. So, there's lots and lots of wine swapping.
But this Wine Pairing Weekend event was the first time I actually stopped to think about why I pick the bottles that I pick as well as which bottles I share the most.
Giving the Gift of Wine
Here are the topics the #winePW crew will be covering:
As Christmas approaches, I always tend to have extra wine bottles on hand...in case people drop by and I want to uncork something or in case we are invited somewhere and I need a quick hostess present. Also, wines are a favorite gift for most of my circle. So, there's lots and lots of wine swapping.
But this Wine Pairing Weekend event was the first time I actually stopped to think about why I pick the bottles that I pick as well as which bottles I share the most.
Giving the Gift of Wine
Here are the topics the #winePW crew will be covering:
- Jade from The Tasting Pour tells us How to Choose a Wine Gift
- Jeff from foodwineclick shares Holiday Wine Gift Ideas: Not Just Any Champagne
- Cindy from Grape Experiences posts Wines from The Hess Collection – Will You be Naughty or Nice?
- David from Cooking Chat writes about Christmas Wine Gifts: Tips and Bottles To Give
- Wendy from A Day in the Life on the Farm shares Spreading Christmas Cheer
- Michelle from Rockin Red Blog tells us How to Give the Gift of Wine
- Gwendolyn from Wine Predator shares Good Gifts Have Good Stories: 4 Wineries from Napa
- Jennifer from Vino Travels is covering Holiday Wines with a Sicilian Flair
- Lauren from The Swirling Dervish blogs about Family, Food, and Wine: The Gift of Memories
- Jill from L'Occasion will share Wine Wrapped Up: The L'occasion Gift Guide
Be sure to check on Saturday morning for these great articles! We will also hold a live Twitter chat on Saturday, Dec. 9., 11 am Easter Time / 8 a.m. Pacific. Just tune into the #winePW hashtag on Twitter at that time to join the conversation. You can check out past and future #winePW topics by visiting this page.
Sips Worth Sharing
I put out a call for favorite bottles and came up with a list of bottles I need to track down. But what I decided to share with this post boils down to this: share sips and bottles that, first, you have actually tried and, second, have a great story you can share with the recipient. That's it.
And the best gifts are the bottles you actually want to squirrel away for yourself! A few of my favorites are bottles from Hundred Suns (it's like Bottled Poetry), Donkey & Goat (love that they have an 'esoteric' category in their wine list), Pierce Ranch Vineyards (a Spanish and Portuguese emphasis right here on California's central coast), and I. Brand & Family Wines (local-to-me winemaker who was named by Wine Enthusiast Magazine to its "40 Under 40: American Tastemakers" in 2012...and, yes, it was well-deserved). Additionally, I always have a case of prosecco ready at this time of year because Italian bubbles always make me smile and it's a good bet that almost everyone enjoys a good bottle of sparkling wine.
I put out a call for favorite bottles and came up with a list of bottles I need to track down. But what I decided to share with this post boils down to this: share sips and bottles that, first, you have actually tried and, second, have a great story you can share with the recipient. That's it.
And the best gifts are the bottles you actually want to squirrel away for yourself! A few of my favorites are bottles from Hundred Suns (it's like Bottled Poetry), Donkey & Goat (love that they have an 'esoteric' category in their wine list), Pierce Ranch Vineyards (a Spanish and Portuguese emphasis right here on California's central coast), and I. Brand & Family Wines (local-to-me winemaker who was named by Wine Enthusiast Magazine to its "40 Under 40: American Tastemakers" in 2012...and, yes, it was well-deserved). Additionally, I always have a case of prosecco ready at this time of year because Italian bubbles always make me smile and it's a good bet that almost everyone enjoys a good bottle of sparkling wine.
I'm taking your suggestions to heart and will try to track down a few of the bottles you've mentioned. Cheers, Camilla. Happy holidays!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Lauren. I had a busy day yesterday, so I'm just getting around to reading, commenting, and sharing this morning.
DeleteGreat list! I'm working on a story that will likely feature Donkey and Goat - esoteric style, how very fun and funky. Happy Holidays to you amd your family, Camilla!
ReplyDeleteNice! I love, love, love Donkey & Goat. But you probably already knew that. Have you connected with Jared?
DeleteLove the list! And I really need to try wines from Donkey & Goat - I've heard sooo many good thing about the wines. Thanks, Camilla! Happy holidays to you and the sweet family.
ReplyDeleteAll of these labels are new to me. I have been intrigued by the Donkey&Goat since you last wrote about it. I'm keeping my eyes open for these brands. Merry Christmas Cam.
ReplyDeleteI'll have to check out this list. I'm not familiar with them. Always good to have bubbly on hand, especially prosecco
ReplyDeleteShort and sweet, and good advice. Happy holidays to you and your family!
ReplyDeleteYou know I am such a Donkey & Goat fan! I love that you keep a case of Prosecco on hand for friends dropping in. Wonderful hospitality. Merry Christmas.
ReplyDeleteGood tips! And I will try that Donkey & Goat some time soon.
ReplyDelete