Wine and Dine
Gadgets For Wine Geeks
By HOLLY HOWELL

The holidays are in full swing.  No matter what you celebrate in your household, ‘tis the season for “giving.”  Of course, this concept should be a normal part of our daily lives, but over the next few weeks, it becomes official and quite obligatory. Whether it’s a family present, a hostess gift, a secret Santa surprise, or a kind donation to a good cause, it is time to crack open that wallet for others. Thank goodness for us, the financially challenged, it comes but once a year.

Now don’t get me wrong. Giving is a part of living. It is the best way to make your heart feel good. However, I find it a bit more difficult when having to choose a physical object to send the message. Some folks just aren’t that easy to buy gifts for, especially when you have no idea what they like.

For this reason, I shy away from any gift that involves personal taste, such as clothes, jewelry, music, or art. All of these choices are far too risky to attempt. The stores are busy enough with returns in January.

If you think that I am now going to tell you how wine makes the perfect gift—Wrong-O! It is probably just as chancy as any of the above. After all, many people do not even drink wine. Don’t ever assume it is a universally loved consumable. Plus, even if you know they enjoy wine, look at the choices. Is your recipient a white zinfandel drinker or Bordeaux collector? Good luck.

Here is what I do recommend for the wine lovers on your holiday list. It’s all about the accessories, and wine geeks can never have enough of those.

Vacu Vins are the ultimate in wine storage gadgets. These devices help to preserve wine once the bottle has been opened and—just in case this has ever happened to you—not finished. A stopper fits into the top of the bottle and then you pump the air out to create a “vacuum” in which the wine can remain stable for a longer time. For a mere $12, this is a wine lover’s dream gift.

Speaking of stoppers, there are a slew of decorator versions in your local wine shops. Perhaps your wine drinker also loves cats, dogs, golf, tennis, etc. There is a stopper for all, and they come in nice holiday boxes. Many wine lovers collect these.

If we are talking “collector,” keep in mind that corkscrews come in various designs and many wine drinkers are proud to show off their collections. You can find standard waiter’s knives ($6), cork pulls ($6), wing types (around $10), screw pulls ($18 or so), and rabbits (between $40 and $100). However, the crème de la crème of corkscrews is the Laguiole, which ranges in styles and prices. This is the gift that says, “I just spent a lot of money on you, so you’d better share some of your good wine with me.”

For those sophisticated wine drinkers, don’t forget the ever-popular decanter. These beautiful carafes are for serving older wines that have had the sediment removed by a process called decanting. Carafes are also used to serve big, young reds that need some time to calm down before they are allowed to come the table. Decanters may cost you a bit, but they make a very elegant gift for your favorite wine aficionado.

The most obvious and best wine gift of all comes from your local bookstore. If you haven’t checked out the wine section lately,  it is loaded with treasures that would excite any oenophile. And don’t ever worry about buying something that a wine lover already has. Wine lovers hang out with other wine lovers, and books can easily be re-gifted, and  I’m speaking from my own experience.

Finally, if you are brave enough, and you really know this person’s palate, then cross your fingers and go for it.  Give the gift of the grape and pick out a winning bottle. However, if you are determined to give wine, and you are not sure what type, no bumble would ever turn down a nice bottle of bubbly. Sparkling wines are always appreciated, no matter what your level of wine savvy. And they are so festive.

Of course, as you travel the wine shops with your heart full of giving, don’t forget to give to your own wine rack too.  Now is when you can splurge on some of your favorites to share with your friends and family throughout the holiday season.  Remember, a gift is something that doesn’t always need to be wrapped. 

Certified sommelier Holly Howell teaches wine and food classes for Casa Larga Vineyards, Rochester Institute of Technology, and her parents’ cooking school in Mendon, New York. Contact her at wineanddine@mountainhomemag.com.