The Gift of Wine

Happy Holiday Season Leschi! Giving the gift of wine can be equally as fun for the gift giver as it is for the recipient. When choosing a bottle of wine (or two) to gift, keep a few basic ideas in mind. Know what they tend to like, and have a rough estimate of what you would like to spend. Many great wines can be found across all ranges of price points. When in doubt- ask an expert- like US! Leschi Market will be well staffed with wine experts throughout the month to assist you with all of your wine questions.

A comment that I will never forget was said to me one of my first holiday seasons at the Market. “Giving wine just seems so last minute.” We have discussed the art of gift giving many times before. As we embark on the biggest gifting season of the year, let me offer some ideas on putting a little meaning behind those gifts. Trust me, in general, everyone loves to receive wine as a gift and if you put just a tiny amount of thought into it, it won’t seem so last minute at all.

We’ve explored several options in the past of theme based wine gifts. These definitely show some amount of thought was taken into account. They are just as fun to assemble, as they are to receive. All you need to do is choose your price point and choose your theme. Here are some of my favorites from over the years.

For the bicyclist on the list, for example, a “Tour de France” package can include a wine from several different regions in France: Alsace, Beaujolais, Bordeaux, Burgundy, Champagne, Chateauneuf du Pape, Gascogne, Languedoc-Roussillon, Loire, and Rhône are great starting points. These regions are so diverse themselves that you could easily choose a few wines from within each region.

“Around the World” packages are great for those fresh off of a journey, or for those about to embark on one in the coming year. Focusing on one country, or several, is easy enough to do. Rieslings from Germany, Barberas from Italy, Tempranillos from Spain, Cabernet Sauvignons from South Africa, Malbecs from Argentina or Carmeneres from Chile.

Domestic sets can be great too. Walla Walla, Yakima, Columbia Valley, Willamette Valley and Napa all provide great themed packages. The possibilities and spin-offs are endless. From an “Italian Getaway,” to an all organic grouping, from all under $10 wine, to an all animal themed label, use your imagination and creativity, and most of all, have fun with it.