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Serious Eats Gift Guide: For the Oenophile

Posted by Dr. Vino, December 14, 2007 at 3:30 PM

What better time for some celebratory sipping than the holidays? Our gift guide for the wine lover will brighten the spirits of oenophiles or those struggling with what to give them. Prices don't include shipping unless otherwise noted.

Give Screwpulls

An excellent, super-easy corkscrew that beats many at 10x the price. Go crazy and throw in the $8 foil cutter as well. Like clothing accessories, you can never have too many corkscrews. $15 or $22.98 with the foil cutter, from Amazon

"From the Cellar of..." Stickers

OK, this could be a little pompous. But throw in some wit and no bottle that you bring to a party will be forgotten whether it is consumed then or by your hosts later. Or give a set of printed stickers to your friends to encourage them to bring their wine to your house. 14¢ each with an order of 500, from victorystore.com

Kick Some Glass

Well, you probably can't kick this glass and have it survive, but these "impact resistant" crystal stems from Schott Zwiesel do seem to have nine lives. $10 each, from Amazon

Take Note

The only thing more important than tasting is writing! Oh wait, I guess tasting is still more important. But writing notes is crucial so you can remember where your category "wine" in Quicken went. Steve De Long has a new and original tasting notebook including a "guided" tasting note to get you started down the road of scribbling. Makes a great stocking stuffer. $6.95, from De Long Wine

Party Bubbles

Bisol, "crede," Prosecco: At $15 this bubbly from the north of Italy won't break the bank. It will add a lift to your party to start it with a pop. Related: It's good in mimosas. Find this wine »

Sipping Bubbles

Pierre Peters, blanc de blancs: This nonvintage champagne comes from a great vineyard site and has wonderful purity and intensity. Miraculously, it can be still be had for $30 a bottle so if a romantic evening is in the cards, you could do a lot worse than starting it with a bottle of Pierre Peters. Find this wine »

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