With Christmas and other holidays fast approaching, stores are packed with last-minute shoppers. If you are among them, consider giving a loved one something very special this season: a basket of assorted wines. Unlike socks, ties, and bolder clothing items that can be gambles (and unlike gift cards which, according to recent statistics, are rarely used in full), wine is a gift that virtually everyone of legal age can enjoy. What is more, if some wines in your assortment do not suit your recipient’s fancy, she or he will often gladly open them for company. (This means that none of your present goes to waste!)
Since some wines given at Christmas are opened the same day, it’s good to include a couple bottles that can pair with various holiday dishes like roast duck, turkey, beef, mashed potatoes, stuffing, various pies, chocolates, peppermints, fruitcake, prune cookies... In other words, be sure to include a couple wines like Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Sauvignon Blanc that will not clash wildly with the barrage of disparate food items they may be stuck accompanying! Because some odd dishes do appear during the holiday season, perhaps it’s not too off the mark to include a bottle or two of a novelty wine? For example, consider cranberry wine. This sweet, curious wine will certainly generate conversation. Like comparing apples to pears, it can’t be adequately described with the same terms used for grapes. This wine goes well with poultry, fried chicken, and chocolate among other foods, and can also be sipped by itself.
On the more potent side, you may want to consider a plum wine. This wine ranges from tart to sweet, and can nicely complement a variety of pies. If you’re unsure about what wines to include in your gift basket, you may want to include a few reds and a few whites. One example of a nice variety of wines is as follows: Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, Red Zinfandel, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, and Gewürztraminer. You could also substitute a bottle of port for one of the reds, or gift a bottle of port with two whites. No matter what you eventually select, rest assured that someone will enjoy your gift! To encourage them to enjoy your gift right away, consider including in your gift basket a Rogar Estate Bronze Wine Bottle Opener. Cheers, and Happy Holidays!
