12 Days of [Wine] Christmas: Day 7 - Wine Tumblers

These are becoming quite popular and are definitely worth adding to your glass collection: Wine Tumblers!  Here's a few I found that I really like:

Riedel Tyrol Glasses

O'Riedel Riedel Glasses

Riedel Happy O Wine Tumblers

Oenophilia Recycled Glass Wine Bottle Tumblers

Libbey Vina 12-Piece Stemless Glasses

Govino Plastic Flexible Wine Glasses

Venetian Style Wine Tumblers

12 Days of [Wine] Christmas: Day 6 - Fun Bottle Stoppers

Here's something that every wine drinker needs: bottle stoppers!  They come in many shapes and sizes, and can be found at almost every winery you visit.  These make wonderful stocking stoppers or gifts for your co-workers.  If you're making your own wine gift-basket, it's a good addition for when you start drinking the bottle. Here are some of my favorites (that come in varying prices)!

Santa Hat Bottle Stoppers from Pamplemousse in Salem, MA

(Photo by author)

Wine Glass Bottle Stoppers from Franklin Hill Vineyards

(Photo by author)

Antique Door Knob Bottle Stoppers from Dreadnought Wines in Pittsburgh, PA

(Photo by author)

Hot/Cold Knob Bottle Stoppers from Dreadnought Wines in Pittsburgh, PA

(Photo by author)

Glass Bottle Stoppers - Good, Classic Look from Amazon.com

(Photo from website)

Mud Pie Reindeer Glass Bottle Stopper from Amazon.com

(Photo from website)

12 Days of [Wine] Christmas: Day 5 - Who's Been Naughty and Nice Wine Glasses?

Here's something cute for one of your girlfriends or your favorite wine enthusiast couple: naughty and nice glasses!  I think these are super cute and definitely catch the holiday spirit.  :)  The pair I found in Salem came with or without gold trim and were very stylish wine glasses.  However, I found some additional fun naughty/nice wine glasses online!  Check them out below!

Naughty & Nice Glasses at Pamplemousse (Salem, MA) - $34

(Photo by author)

1 Glass, 2 Words - $20

(Photo from Gifts to Adore)

Lolita Naughty/Nice Wine Glass - $30

(Photo from Amazon.com)

(Photo from Shop Glitzy Glam) - $30

12 Days of [Wine] Christmas: Day 4 - The WineStein

It doesn't get much easier to get your friends into wine with these beer glasses!  For the beer lover that you're looking to convert into a wine lover, check out the WineStein!  I love the tag-line at the bottom of their website: "A beer lover's wine glass or a wine lover's beer glass."  You can find these trickled throughout tasting rooms and wine stores, but they also available on the above website and Amazon.com

The WineStein

(Photo from Google Images)

12 Days of [Wine] Christmas: Day 3 - Wine Gift Baskets

These gifts are becoming easier and easier as more states are opening their national shipping distribution.  Some shipping restraints still apply.  (For those PA'ers, for example, you can have a winery within the state of Pennsylvania ship a gift basket from their winery to any PA resident address.)

My favorite wine gift basket company is, of course, Wine Country Gift Baskets:

Windwhistle Vintners Cuvee Cabernet - $29.95 + shipping

Kiarna Christmas Pinot Noir - $53.96 + shipping

Cliffside Duet Holiday Assortment - $92.95 + shipping

Piper Sonoma Holiday Party Collection - $175 + shipping

But another awesome suggestion is a floral arrangement plus wine gift.  This is an awesome present for those ladies that you know love plants and wine!  I only know of 1 company in Chicago that is doing this: A Vision Chicago. Take a look!  (All photos are from their website!)

12 Days of [Wine] Christmas: Day 2 - Wine Logs & Record Books

Here's a fun gift you can give your friends that allows them to start recording what it is they taste.  This can be a lot of fun for those people that taste lots of different wines, and like to keep track of what it is they buy and taste.  I found this simple version of a wine record book while touring around Salem, MA:

Rate That Wine Pad 

(Photo by author)

Purchase on Knock Knock Pads ($8)

But there are other options.  Wine Enthusiast features 2 leather bound wine and spirits journals:

Leather Bound Wine Journal

(Photo from Wine Enthusiast - $35)

Spirits Journal

(Photo from Wine Enthusiast - $35)

Or check out this trendy option from Amazon.com:

Wine Journal

(Photo from Amazon.com - $11)

12 Days of [Wine] Christmas: Day 1 - Home Winemaking Kit

Have you ever sat and wondered what it was like to make your own wine?  Think you have a friend (or family member) that would like to try to make their own vintage?  Home brewing has become exceptionally popular over the past few years, but making your own wine is just as easy with today's home winemaking kits!  This is a fun, interactive gift that gives someone a solid introduction into wine processing.

The home brewing supply stores usually carry the best home winemaking supplies as well.  This one here is from Midwest Supplies:

Home Winemaking Kits ($73, $88, or $95 from Midwest Supplies)

(Photo from Midwest Supplies

You can also find kits or home winemaking supplies from other stores including Presque Isle Wine Cellars, Amazon.com, and E.C. Kraus.  Kits come in variable shapes, sizes, and quantities... and prices! 

(Photo from Amazon.com)

Or if all of that is too messy and complicated, you can always try the state-of-the-art Winepod.  More information on this technologically advance home winemaking kit at winepod.net.

The Wine Pod

(Photo from winepod.net)

Friday Wine News You Can Use: Let the 2011 Holiday Season BEGIN!

Every year, it's a tradition for me to write about my "12 Days of [Wine] Christmas" best wine gifts to purchase for all your wine friends and family (or for those that you are converting into loving wine!).  :)  I just can't help but wonder through tasting rooms and wine stores to find the newest, neatest wine gifts!

This year is no different!!  Starting Monday, I'll begin my "12 Days of [Wine] Christmas Count Down."  Make sure you check back here frequently to get some great gift giving ideas!

(Photo from Google Images)

At the conclusion of the "12 Days of [Wine] Christmas," I'll add in some favorite holiday recipes and wine pairing options that may be fun to include in any holiday season!

If you'd like to re-cap from last year (or get a head start on your holiday shopping), here are the 2010's "12 Days of [Wine] Christmas Count Down" items:

2010, Day 1: Champagne Flutes

2010, Day 2: Flip Flop Wine Coasters

2010, Day 3: Foil Cutters

2010, Day 4: Decanters

2010, Day 5: Wine Erasing Spray

2010, Day 6: The Cork Board

2010, Day 7: The Electric Cork Screw

2010, Day 8: Oil and Vinegar Carafes

2010, Day 9: Wine Clothes

2010, Day 10: Drop Stop Pour Spouts

2010, Day 11: The Venturi Aerator

2010, Day 12: The Full Bottle Wine Glass

(Photo from Google Images)

Finding Wine in Salem, MA

I'm a firm believer that you can find some wine and its lovers everywhere you go.  During my recent visit to Salem, Massachusetts, I found little pieces of wine everywhere!  Here's just a look of a few things I found while walking around the old-style town.  :)  Make sure you check out my review of Pamplemousse!

Wine bottle lights with a sea-lover's theme

 The Grapevine Restaurant

Wine Tasting at Pamplemousse!

Neat wine gear at Pamplemousse

Holiday wine glasses (Naughty and Nice) and wine coasters at Pamplemousse

Santa hat wine stoppers at Pamplemousse

The outside of Pamplemousse

(All photos by author)

I absolutely loved the Pamplemousse store, which is found in the historic Derby Square of Salem, Massachusetts.  Not only is the front part covered with fun foodie treats and trinkets, but the inner part of the store is covered with select wines and craft brews.  If you're in the Salem, MA area, this is definitely a store where you can find a present for all your friends and family.  Or at the very least, you can meander through the store and make up a personalized gift basket: nice red wine, holiday bottle stopper, 2 wine glasses, 18 flavored sea salts, and chocolate dipped cookies! 

Or put a funny gift together for your favorite girlfriend: 2 bottles of wine, some glasses, and her own wine record book:

Wine records at Pamplemousse

The possibilities are endless!  There are even some fun spices or spice containers that you can add to your holiday-gifts-to-buy list.  Or add 2 flexible egg poacher containers for all those egg lovers that you know.  Know a couple where the wife loves wine and the husband loves beer?  Do a mix basket of both some fun craft beers and an unique bottle of wine.

What's in My Glass Wednesdays! 2010 Pinot Gris from Reuilly, France

It's not every day that you find a Kermit Lynch import while exploring for new wines to taste.  (For more information on Kermit Lynch, visit my previous blog post here that features his wine book.)  When I saw this one, I could resist!  Reuilly is a small region in France that produces Pinot Gris (Pinot Grigio), Sauvignon Blanc, and Pinot Noir:

(Map from Google Images)

2010 Pinot Gris from Reuilly, France

The D-2010 Scale 

2010 Pinot Gris a Kermit Lynch Import (Reuilly, France)

Appearance (10 points possible): slight pink/brown hue, and clear - 8 points

Aroma/Bouquet (20 points possible): Bright citrus and fresh apple.  Very subdued aroma, which is typical of Pinot Grigio. - 14 points

Taste (10 points possible):  Light, acidic and full of citrus flavor.  The middle of this wine reminds me of a fresh stream with round, clean pebbles at the bottom of it.  A relatively simple wine, but with some crisp minerality and liveliness in the finish.  - 8 points

Balance (5 points possible): The acid in this wine really sticks out, which is the only part that is really out of balance for this wine. - 4 points

Finish (5 points possible): Lingering citrus and light on the finish. - 4 points

Packaging *Introduction to the D-2010 Scale*

Quality of Package (5 points possible):  Nice clear glass that emphasizes the pinking of this Pinot Grigio.  Bottled with a technical cork and sealed with a golden capsule. - 5 points

Label Marketability (10 points possible):  This is a very traditional French label, but it has the variety added, which is untraditional for French labels.  But the "Imported by Kermit Lynch" really caught my eye in the wine store! - 8 points

Other (5 points possible):  There's no extras on this bottle! - 3 points

Total Points: 84 points

Overall Thought: I grabbed this Pinot Grigio because it was pinking (and because it was a Kermit Lynch wine), which sometimes happens to Pinot Grigio.  It's not really known how this happens, although there is some speculation about the reductive processing of the wine.  And of course, the pink color has no reflection on the quality of the wine.  Regardless, I really enjoyed this wine.  Most people found it too acidic, but it was nice to have something different!

Food Pairings:  I think this wine would go really nice with some light fish or a very garlic tasting soup!

Cost: $16.99

Splurge Factor (out of 4): 2 - I can see this being a risky buy for most consumers, especially when I found most people were looking for the Cupcake or the Barefoot wines!  :)  However, it's worth a try for someone that likes to try something new.

Where to buy:  I actually purchased this at a wine store in Massachusetts, so I'm sure that you'll be able to findi it occasionally in a wine store near you.  Or visit Kermit's website!