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Wine Gifts for All!

Written By: Romany Reagan on Monday, December 17, 2007

Wine, the one gift that is never returned.

It's the holidays again. It's funny how the most joyous time of the year can really mean for many a time of emotional and financial stress. Simple items, once wrapped, take on a life of their own and magically become metaphors explaining our innermost feelings to everyone from loved ones to vague office acquaintances. Wine has become the new candle as the defacto gift you're sure won't need a gift receipt. So in the spirit of putting the spice back in your nutmeg, here's a little cheat sheet for the major metaphor pit falls on your list.Your Girl: You will most likely be enjoying this gift with her, however as this is a gift, her wine preferences should be your primary concern. If she hates reds and that's what you prefer to drink, presenting her with a Syrah (no matter how expensive and well researched) will be the beverage equivalent of pretending that Amsterdam Red teddy was actually for her sleeping pleasure. She'll see right through you big boy. Pay attention to her choices and off-hand comments at restaurants, she'll be so touched you noticed and know her so well - and I'm sure THAT'S a metaphor you can live with.Romany's Pick for Your Girl:
- Bergen Road by Macari is a Bordeaux style blend (Red), very full-bodied in an extremely classy black & red labeled bottle.
- Vineyard 48 Sauvignon Blanc (White)Your Girls Parents: Oh boys, boys... this is a rather nightmarish situation isn't it? If the world of gift giving were a map, this gift would be Russia. If you're on a tight budget, and nothing short of an auction caliber bottle will do to impress them, go the other route, give them a few fun bottles with some mulling spices. A lot of wine shops have holiday-labeled bottles and with some imaginative wrapping this is a cozy gift that screams wholesome family fun - if that's the vibe you'd like them to have. If you'd rather they spaced "you" and "family" as far apart in a sentence as possible perhaps some Boon's Farm Fuzzy Navel in a leftover Halloween gift bag should suffice (but don't tell them you got that idea from me.)Romany's Pick for Your Girl's Parents:
- Elfen Red by Rivendell Winery with a cute picture of a winking Santa, add the Mulling Spices for $4
- Casa Larga's Fiori Della Stella Ice Wine (White dessert wine) Just stunning.Your Best Friend: You’re out of college and your decorating styles have also thankfully graduated from found couches and a mattress on the floor. What better way to commemorate your BF's new non-orange-crate coffee table than a beautiful and fascinating wine book? My most recent favorite is Wine by Andre Dominé - it is lusciously illustrated throughout, broken down in great detail by region and best of all, it's not a dry read in the least. With its three-inch spine, it will sit imposingly in his living room impressing girls, business associates and even his old frat beer-bong buddies with the seriousness of his wine interest. Romany's Wine Pick for Your Best Friend:
- Bedell Vineyards "Taste" (Red) is a Bordeaux style blend w/ a sexy, funky label of a girl with the word "Taste" on her tongue. Mmmm... naughty.
- Early Harvest Chardonnay by Macari (White) explodes with green apple & tangerine, the early harvest cranks up the acidity, the color is practically clear. An unusual & delicious Chardonnay experience.Your Intimidatingly Wine-Savvy Boss: A lovely crystal decanter. When you don’t want your gift to become a mark of shame, therefore proving simultaneously that if you don't know his (or her) favorite Merlot, you obviously do not belong in accounting, go the safe route and give him something in which to put his finicky Merlot. There. Problem solved. You can get a nice and prestigious decanter for about $150.Romany's Wine Pick for Your Boss:
- The Grapes of Roth by Wolffer Estate Vineyards (Red). People wait all year for this Merlot. Does not surprise me. Lightly tannic, beautifully full bodied, perfectly balanced. Yum.Now, go ahead, check your 'naughy or nice' list and buy them all wine accordingly!

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