Not Just an Afterthought

By / Wine + Drinks / December 17th, 2014 / 2

You’ve still got time. Sure Christmas is a week away, but you’ve still got time to find that perfect gift for that special someone … okay, maybe not perfect, but at least one that’ll be memorable.

People often think that a bottle of wine is a cop-out gift – the gift you get when you can’t think of anything else: “Just get ‘em a bottle of wine” are words often heard with a throw off wave of the hand.

But a bottle of wine can be so much more if you just put a little thought into it … get them a special bottle, and by that I don’t mean expensive, special as in good and memorable, that way when they open it they’ll remember you for at least one night of the year – and don’t forget to sign the bottle itself, so they’ll remember who to thank.

Treana 2011 Marsanne/Viognier, California ($29.95)

You usually find this combo in the south of France but here the Californians take their shot and prove they too can make a lush white with tropical fruit, peach, baked and poached pears and apples and a touch of ginger spice; this one is not soon forgotten.

Laughing Stock 2012 Blind Trust, British Columbia ($37.95)

At the ten year mark this winery is really hitting its stride in lovely fashion; this beauty has a richness of dark fruit and silky smooth palate full of vanilla, blueberry and plum; great spice and acidity on the finish.

Vina Chocalan 2012 Reserva Syrah, Chile ($15.95)

This one won’t break the bank but it tastes like you did, lots of meaty, smoky dark fruit with a gentle spice; a real winner and something memorable for anyone on your list.

For more wine suggestions, see our other #WineWednesday posts.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Michael is an award-winning journalist: Promoting the Promoters Award Cuvée 2010 and Ontario Wine Awards Journalist of the Year 2012.  He is also a national and international wine judge - Ontario Wine Awards, All Canadian Wine Championships; Best of Riesling — Germany; Essencia do Vinho — "Top Wines of Portugal".  He is currently the President of the Wine Writers Circle of Canada and the wine columnist for Ottawa Life and Grand magazine as well as regular contributor to Tidings, and Grapevine ... his reviews have also appeared in the LCBO Vintages magazine. Michael has also added a YouTube channel to his activities where he reviews bottles of great Ontario wine on a weekly basis. In whatever he does, it is Michael’s desire to educate, inspire and encourage others to grow their own love and enthusiasm for wine – and to realize that it is their palate that ultimately makes the decision.

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