Alison Stevens asked:

If you have a birthday, anniversary or other special occasion that requires the giving of a gift then consider a wine gift basket. They can provide elegant gifts for wine lovers and can include additional products besides wine. They can also include such goodies as cheese, chocolates, fruit, nuts and wine accessories like corkscrews and bottle openers, drip stoppers, foil cutters or whatever else you decide to add to the basket. You can buy them already assembled or you can make your own for a very special gift-giving touch. All you need to know is the type of wine the recipient enjoys, or you can create a surprise basket.

Buying Prepared Baskets

If you’d rather buy a wine gift basket pre packaged, stop into your local liquor store to see if they have a selection available. Liquor stores will often sell gift baskets, especially during the holiday season. You should be able to choose which wine you’d like to include in the basket and then add accompanying products.

Shop Online

The internet is a great place to order customizable gift baskets. You can start by ordering one or more bottles of wine of your choice, then begin adding complementary products from the wide range available. Complementary products could include smoked salmon and caviar, savory crackers or cheese crackers, soft or hard cheeses, cheese knives, nuts, exclusive mustards or honey … the sky’s the limit in what you can add to them.

The online company will then deliver the packaged gift basket to you or directly to the gift recipient. This is a very easy option if you are searching for a corporate gift or as a thank-you to a staff member.

Make Your Own Gift Baskets

Making your own wine gift basket gives allows you to add that extra personal touch. Start by buying an attractive basket. Even a simple and inexpensive basket will do because you can then decorate it with silk flowers or colored tissue paper. Buy your wine of choice or choose champagne for a special celebration, add some additional products depending on the preferences of the gift recipient. For example, you don’t need to limit your basket to wine and wine-themed gifts. You could include handicrafts for someone interested in arts and crafts, or a book about wine for a wine lover who is also interested in the history or the making of wine. Select some gourmet food products to accompany the wine, tuck everything into the decorated basket and wrap the whole thing in clear cellophane.

If possible, personally deliver the gift basket to the recipient so you can see the joy when they receive it. If .you’re very lucky they might even share the bottle of wine with you.

For non-wine drinkers you can still assemble some stunning gift baskets. For a coffee drinker you could try a coffee-themed gift basket that could include coffee mugs, freshly roasted coffee beans from different coffee-growing regions of the world, gourmet cookies, toffees and, nuts. A tea drinker would appreciate a selection of teas from different regions, a teapot and strainer and a fine china teacup. A tea or coffee gift basket could, in fact, be packed onto a decorated tray rather that a basket. Again, wrap the whole package in clear cellaphane and add a ribbon.

The ideas for gourmet gift baskets are only limited by your imagination.

Jim Hofman asked:

Just a few miles southeast of Tucson, Arizona, you’ll notice the topography starting to change before your eyes. You’ll begin a slow ascent from a desert valley to a hilly, high plains terrain offering warm days and cool nights. Soon, you’ll enter Arizona wine country, a burgeoning wine travel destination that’s garnering attention from the wine press and wine travel fans alike. Join us as we explore the secrets of this wine producing region less than an hour from downtown Tucson.

It’s easy to visit Arizona Wine Country via a short and enjoyable day trip. Going east/southeast from Tucson on I-10, it’s only an hour away. Exit I-10 about 20 miles east of the city at Exit 281 and proceed south on Arizona Rt. 83. The scenery changes and the temperature cools as you climb more than 2000 feet through your journey.

Traveling south on Rt. 83, you’ll soon enter the charming town of Sonoita, the gateway to wine country. If you arrive around lunch time, we recommend Cafe Sonoita, on scenic Route 82 just a half mile east of the Rt. 83 junction. You’ll choose from a blackboard menu, presented at your table, or the standard menu. We enjoyed a local specialty, the Hatch green chile chicken burrito, and a bowl of homemade soup. You can also enjoy a glass of Arizona wine from Cafe Sonoita’s ample wine list.

Looking at the terrain in the Sonoita area, you’ll begin to understand why wine has been produced here for many years. It’s a perfect blend of medium elevation, rich soil, and low humidity. Owners of the seven wineries in this area will tell you this area is just about perfect for growing grapes.

Southern Arizona Wine Country’s Seven Wineries

Let’s spend a little time at each of this area’s seven wineries. As is typical with a wine trail journey, these wineries are clustered together within a few miles. We recommend a late morning stop at one or two, a break for lunch, and then more wine exploring on into the afternoon.

We visited these wineries over the course of two visits, so feel free to mix and match your destinations. There’s no prescribed order, as the wineries are scattered about in this pleasant, mostly rural area. No matter which you choose, you’re guaranteed a true taste of Arizona’s highly respected wine industry.

Callaghan Vineyards: Callaghan Vineyards produces premium reds and whites from its own 25 acre vineyard. Styled in Mediterranean and Spanish varieties, owner Kent Callaghan’s wines have received accolades from prominent publications like Wine Spectator and the New York Times, and have been served at the White House on three occasions. Our favorite was Lisa’s White, with its spicy apple aroma and subtle rich taste of pear and grapfruit.

Canelo Hills Vineyard and Winery: Canelo Hills is the product of owners Tim and Joan Mueller, who founded the operation in 2003. The Muellers were delighted to open their new tasting room in September 2007, realizing a long term dream to own and operate their own winery. Located 7.5 miles east of the Rt. 83 and 82 crossroads in the small village of Elgin, Canelo Hills is open for tasting Fridays and Saturdays from 11-4. Tim and Joan are strong supporters of local sustainable products and host an annual Wine and Farm Festival. Current wine offerings include a chardonnay, syrah, cabernet sauvignon, and an especially delicious crisp riesling.

Dos Cabezas Wineworks: Dos Cabezas is a relatively new arrival to the Sonoita-Elgin wine country, but not a newcomer to the Arizona wine scene. They’ve been producing wines since 1995, and recently moved the winery to this area from a location in the southeastern part of the state. Dos Cabezas was very proud to win two Governers Choice Awards in December 2007 for Arizona’s best red and white wine. Their Viognier took honors for the whites category, while their El Norte took home the award for reds. Located on Rt. 82, their tasting room is open Fridays through Sundays from 10:30-4:30. Make a point to try the deep, complex El Norte … we loved it!

Rancho Rossa Vineyards: Rancho Rossa is one of Arizona’s largest family owned wineries, producing over 1200 cases per year entirely from their own fruit. Located about 6 miles southeast of Sonoita, they’re open for tasting Friday-Sunday from 10:30 to 3:30. We enjoyed their Case Cuvee, a rich Chardonnay blend, as well as their Grenache, a red that’s fermented in French Oak.

Village of Elgin Winery: Village of Elgin Winery is one of the area’s original wineries. Established here more than a quarter century ago, Village of Elgin is well known for hosting two annual wine festivals, taking place in April and September. Offering a full and unique selection of reds and whites, Village of Elgin’s wines will please any wine lover’s palate. We couldn’t pick just one as a favorite and were intrigued by unique offerings like their Blanc de Merlot (a white merlot) and the Sonoita Valley Tierra Dulce, a sweet red similar to a port. Village of Elgin’s Tombstone Red, a red and white blend, is very popular as well and widely available in retail outlets.

Kief Joshua Vineyards: Kief-Joshua is another newcomer to the wine scene here and is located in the cluster of wineries known as “Winery Row”, very close to many of the wineries listed above. Views from the tasting room are spectacular, overlooking scenic grasslands with mountains in the distance. Owner Kief Joshua Manning has been making wine since he was a teenager, and offers a small but impressive list of whites and reds. Try the refreshingly citrusy Viognier, and don’t miss the intense dark cherry flavor of their Cabernet Sauvingnon. We also bought a green chile dip mix in their gift shop which was one of the best dips we’ve had in years!

Sonoita Vineyards: Our last stop on this Wine Trail adventure is Sonoita Vineyards, the largest winery in this area and open since 1983. Their Arizona Sunset fruity rose wine was the first Arizona wine we tried many years ago. For a change of pace, try their Sonora Rossa. It’s a spicy light red wine that’s best served slightly chilled, perfect with Italian food.

Closing Thoughts

If you’re ready to spend a bit more time in this area, consider an overnight stay at one of the area’s lodging options. The Sonoita-Elgin Chamber of Commerce will help you choose accommodations. Another option to extend your trip are the nearby historic towns of Tombstone and Bisbee, both of which offer numerous dining, shopping, and entertainment options.

Betty Robinson asked:

Looking for an outstanding team building program while in Washington DC? Does your team enjoy dining experiences but you want to try something new, something different than Cooking Team Building or your usual group dinner? Well, here is a program that fits that bill. Washington DC and its restaurants, with their penchant for fine food and drink, make a perfect location for team building programs based on wine appreciation. One of the most outstanding of these is an activity offered in Washington called The Wine Maker’s Challenge.

The Wine Maker’s Challenge team building program is designed to take place in a private room of a hotel or restaurant — and Washington has some of the best and most interesting venues anywhere. The Capitol Grill with its wonderful location on Pennsylvania Ave, or the historic Willard Hotel, right across from the White House, are examples of the great venue possibilities for a program utilizing wine. Also the Caucus Room, which earned the Wine Spectator Award of Excellence might be a “tasty” match for holding a wine themed program.

How does this unique team building program actually work? It starts when the participants are given an interesting scenario. Teams are informed that their company has received a gift from a grateful client – a famous comedian. The gift is a vineyard, which the comedian has bequeathed to their company. There is a tricky little condition, though. The company will only inherit the vineyard if team members create a new wine, and market it to a segment of the population with “a highly developed sense of humor”. Everything – from the wine’s name, to the label, to the marketing campaign – must be funny. Otherwise, the inheritance will revert back to the client’s estate.

Going from the business and commerce world of Washington DC to making wine is an unusual transition. However, just like other unusual team building activities, this one works – and very effectively. Adding a dash of humor to corporate team building activities is a great way to get participants to let their hair down and enjoy the exercise because they don’t feel as if they’re in a lecture room.

Like the team building activity above, corporate team building is now leaning towards activities where employees experience and learn at the same time. Human resources practitioners and managers in Washington (and around the country) advocate “experiential team building” as one of the most effective ways to bring out the best in teams. It is believed that, by being directly involved and experiencing an activity, teams will remember that exercise and the lessons learned more than if they were to sit in a room and listen to a lecture. The lessons learned will affect their decisions and attitude, and consequentially improve their productivity.

The Wine Maker’s Challenge in Washington, though it may appear to be entertainment is also a learning vehicle, an experiential team building program. Participants go through an “interactive experience” that stimulates their imagination and puts them in a situation where they have to work together to achieve a common goal. Throw in a bit of humor, and what you’ve got is a very positive and effective learning experience.

Activities such as this one in Washington enable team members to build trust in each other. They get participants collaborating, cooperating, and experiencing success together, as well as learning that healthy risk-taking can be fun. Plus, during the Wine Makers’ Challenge marketing campaign, they might even choose to do some public speaking and a “team” performance and realize that it is actually fun too.

What does wine making have to do with the company’s ability to achieve leadership in the market, and developing employee leadership? It’s the process – not the task. Author Mel Silberman, in his book “The Handbook of Experiential Learning,” says that “Learning can best occur when it offers a new approach, a different mindset.” Team building activities like this program in Washington offer a new experience for the participants and exposure to different ways of thinking as they work with the other members of their team.

Richard Romando asked:

Wine gift baskets are welcomed in almost every home and a combination basket can thrill that much more. Mix and match them–offer a treat of red and white wines, chardonnay, Bordeaux, cabernet, port, merlot, zinfandel or that special champagne.

Cashing in on the trends, many retailers, wineries and auction houses are offering discount wine baskets that will let you select a cross-section of wines at astonishingly competitive prices. They make treasured gifts of the latest and the most popular wines for the season. A 2004 variety or a 2001 vintage can be bought at a discount direct from the vineyard, and arouse much excitement and curiosity amongst your friends without burning your pockets!

Special blend wines, undiscovered Napa Valley finds or even the finest vintages can be snatched up through discount offers. Whether you wish to order a magnum, halves or a case of 12 bottles, discount wines can be tailor-made to suit your needs and budget. If you want to surprise someone with wines from Finland, Mauritius, Spain or Trinidad and Tobago, opt for discount offers to surprise and delight.

Brokers, retailers, and wholesale dealers of wine all offer discount wines at regular intervals. The trick is to read wine publications or be part of a wine enthusiast club so you know the latest on wines. Most members of wine clubs have instant access to discounts ranging from 8% to 20%, especially at new launches, wine-tasting galas or seasonal events.

Auction houses or suppliers source their wines from private individuals and global professional contacts. Many world-class wines can be picked up through these offers, so you don’t have to travel around the world to expand your oenophilic taste buds! Coordinate with friends or neighbors so that you can jointly pick up a large discount case and then share the spoils.

Internet auctions also offer rare, unusual wines that have a marked reserve price against which the bidding starts. While there are no minimum orders that limit your purchase of discount wines, there are extra delivery charges as well as the local taxes. Be aware of summer heat or winter cold fallout on your wine, too, before ordering your shipment.

Wines that may never have been reviewed or rated can also be experienced through discount offers. Share the joys of your complex wine adventures through discount wine gift baskets. You will definitely enjoy a long, full finish!

Jason Albright asked:

As a housewarming gift, or holiday offering, wine gift baskets make a great gift. There’s so much more to wine consumption than a bottle of wine resting in a basket of raffia, however. Spice up your wine gift baskets with some nifty additions that will wow your recipient, and feed your creativity.

Choosing a bottle of wine for your wine gift baskets can be overwhelming. A good rule of thumb is to choose a bottle of wine that you enjoy. If you are not a wine lover, choose a wine that is bottled locally or in an area nearby for your wine gift basket. Supporting local growers is always appreciated. You may want to consider the season and pick your wine for your wine gift basket accordingly.

Consider including wine glasses in wine gift baskets. There are some who believe certain wines should be paired with certain types of glasses, but for a typical wine drinker, the standard is a clear, crystal glass. A matching set of four may serve as a nice set, but for a more intimate wine gift basket, include two glasses, suggesting the bottle be shared by a couple.

Dress up your glasses in your wine gift baskets with wine charms. These charms, placed at the base of the stem, not only dress up your glasses, (and your wine gift baskets), but also serve as a way of labeling which glass belongs to who. Have fun when building wine gift baskets, and pick charms that will add fun and flair to the wine gift baskets you are delivering.

While cheese is probably not the best option to put into a wine gift basket, chocolate is. Although there are cheeses that have been preserved and do not require refrigeration, they are not exactly the picture of class and certainly will not flow with the class your wine gift baskets will exude. Chocolate is an old friend of wine, and they compliment each other nicely. Select exotic, gourmet chocolates for your wine gift baskets, and don’t be afraid to splurge. A little bit of fabulous chocolate goes a long way, so go for it! Wine gift baskets are an elegant gift, and are deserving of the “good stuff”.

Have fun creating your wine gift baskets. Wrap them in quality materials, and adorn them with colorful, striking bows. Deliver your wine gift basket with love, and take pride in sharing carefully selected items with those you love.

Andrew Wellisch asked:

By now you might have seen the Wine Advocate’s reviews on Spanish wines that were released a few days ago. Big scores were given: Termanthia received 100 pts, Numanthia received 98 pts, and Clio received 97 pts – to name just a few. We hope you had an opportunity to purchase some Clio and Numanthia off our November 2006 Merchant’s Pick (View Here), because unfortunately the wines are sold out.

Not to worry, there are still some fantastic wines that can be snatched up. One wine that is absolutely delicious that seems to have flown under the radar is the 2003 Laurona from Montsant. This Spanish red was on Wine Spectator’s Top 100 List for 2006 and also received 92 points from Robert Parker, 91 points from The Wine Spectator and 90 points from Stephen Tanzer.

Taste, not ratings, drive our recommendations and this wine is every bit a champ and more. If you like full bodied wines like Clio and Numanthia – but would like a touch more elegance – this wine is sure to please. If offers sexy, floral scents of candied cherry, black currant, licorice, mocha and vanilla bean. Broad and deep, with dense, concentrated dark berry flavors, the wine reveals subtle oak spices and succulent herb accents. The dark fruit flavors expand through the sappy finish, taking on musky, pungent earth, coffee and chocolate nuances. The tannins are lush and well-knit.

Enjoy with grilled meats and other hearty meals. This wine can be enjoyed now and has the structure to be set down for 8-10 years if you choose. Cheers!

Elaine Berry asked:

Thanksgiving is the time for feasting, celebrating, and giving thanks for all the good things we have. So what could be a better gift for this time of celebration than wine?

Many of us visit friends or family at this time, and want to take something along as a gift. Wine is an ideal gift to take, and looks a bit more classy than a six-pack of beer! But how do you figure out how to choose the most appropriate Thanksgiving wine gifts?

First of all, it should go without saying that you need to make sure that your host, or the recipient of the gift, actually drinks alcohol! The most superb Thanksgiving wine gifts in the world will be wasted on a strict teetotaller – not to mention that they could well give offense. As it’s such a specially American festival, it’s a nice idea to choose wines grown in the USA if possible. That still gives you plenty of choice! A Thanksgiving dinner has a huge variety of dishes, most of them often being rich and highly flavored. Wines to serve with a Thanksgiving meal should ideally be lighter and lower in alcohol, so that they will enhance the food rather than overpowering it. Of all possible Thanksgiving wine gifts, the one you really can’t go wrong with is bubbly – Champagne or sparkling wine. Try a California Brut, such as NV Domaine Chandon California Brut Classic. Not only is this a great choice for popping the corks at any kind of celebration, but also, unlike many sparkling wines, it’s exquisite with food. And you need the dryness of a Brut to counteract the richness of the Thanksgiving spread. For a white wine you can of course play safe and choose a fruity Chardonnay from California – you certainly can’t go wrong. But a perfect match for a Thanksgiving dinner would be a Riesling from Washington State, or from the Finger Lakes region of New York State. The most popular choice for a red wine at Thanksgiving is California Pinot Noir. Choose a low to medium alcohol one that won’t overwhelm the food. An American Zinfandel is also popular at Thanksgiving, but watch out that it’s not too powerful for the Thanksgiving meal.

When giving Thanksgiving wine gifts, as with any gift, your main consideration is what will give pleasure to the recipient. But Thanksgiving is unique – you are playing a part in the nation’s feeling of thankfulness and celebration. Make sure you chime into this, and you will greatly add to the happiness of the day for your friends and loved ones – and yourself!

Steve Sands asked:

It seems like everyone knows about the Napa Valley. It was a Wine Spectator Destination of Choice several years ago beating out Tuscany and Bordeaux. Many people know of Sonoma, but did you know it produces MORE wine than Napa? And the quality is arguably just as good – a cause for some tension between the two regions.

So, if you are planning a trip to taste wine in Northern California absolutely visit wineries in both valleys, they are just a few miles apart separated by a common range of hills.

What to see? That depends on what you like. Both offer terrific views – check out Sterling in Napa, Artesa in Napa, Viansa, Cline, Gloria Ferrer in Sonoma (all located in the South just for ease of access. There are lots more.)

‘Like organic and environmentally sensitive wines? You have got to go to Benzinger in Sonoma. Excellent wines and a great tour. Can you really plant bushes to attract bad bugs away from your vines? I guess so. And what does that cow horn do?

Three places in Sonoma I just love include Hwy 12 North of Sonoma. Further North, Dry Creek Road is home to some wonderful wines including Ferrari Carrano and Silver Oak. There is a Silver Oak in Napa, too. If you are traveling North of Santa Rosa then you must visit historic and wonderfully quaint Healdsburg. It is a treasure. Yes, I forgot Sonoma’s main square, it is wonderful too with shops and restaurants.

Napa is great, with 3 million visitors a year crowding into it. Don’t just jump on Highway 29 and zoom north. Branch out and try the much more beautiful Silverado Trail and the cross roads in between. You’ll see a lot more and taste wonderful wines at Luna, Hagafen, Reynolds, Goose Cross, Cuvaison and many more. Traveling for wine tasting to Northern California? Visit both valleys and you won’t be disappointed.

Catherine Simms asked:

We all look for interesting and unusual Holiday gifts to give to our friends and family, co-workers or boss.

Buying wine for a wine aficionado can be a little tricky since most wine lovers have very specific tastes in wine. Also, chances are, that they already have all the wine accessories and gadgets you can think of, and they probably already belong to a wine club…

You desperately want to find the right gift that will not end up at the bottom of the drawer: if you have a few wine connoisseurs on your shopping list this Holiday Season, here is a unique idea for a useful and unique wine lover gift.

An eco-friendly wine crate serving tray by Whiner and Diner. The company hand-crafts wooden serving trays from reclaimed wine crates.

They come in six different colors, and if you really want to impress your most difficult to choose for boss, you can add a hand-painted monogram for the perfect Christmas personalized gift, and even embellished it with hand-painted designs of grape and vines.

They are outfitted with either metal or wood handles and are ornate with stamped panels from various prestigious European and Californian vineyards.

They are large (most measure 19″L x 13″W x 4″H) and sturdy, and their high sides make it safe to transport whatever you like from one place to another. They offer a chic way to entertain with style, and serve anyone’s favorite wines and cheeses with Panache.

They also look beautiful just displayed on a kitchen counter or a bar, and will certainly make a special gift for any wine lover on your list this Holiday Season.

We have ourselves given a few of these wonderful serving trays to the most difficult wine people, and each of them was delighted with surprise and pleasure.