By Bob Lipinski
I am absolutely the best holiday shopper, and everyone loves my gifts! My secret… I do all my shopping in a liquor store (wine shop if you prefer), and it takes less than one hour. Forget those long lines, crowded malls, and roads that resemble parking lots. I have never had a gift returned because it doesn’t “fit,” it’s the wrong color or size, it’s out of style, or “I already have one of these.”
Wine and spirits make the best stocking stuffers and they come in all types, sizes, colors, and flavors. Miniature bottles, often referred to as “airline bottles” or “minis,” contains 1.7-ounces. Local liquor stores often stock dozens of these bottles of whiskey, brandy, vodka, gin, tequila, rum, and liqueurs to choose from.
A larger bottle called a “split” or quarter-bottle, contains 6.3-ounces (single serving), and is used for wine, especially champagne or sparkling wines. Not only are they great for stuffing stockings but there are plenty of red, white, and rosé wines to choose from.
Climbing the bottle size ladder is the “half-bottle, the ideal size bottle, which contains 12.7-ounces, a full two glasses of your favorite wine or distilled spirit. Sizes above this, unfortunately, are too heavy and large to fit inside a stocking to be hung.
Besides stocking stuffers there are countless holiday gift packs of wine and spirits; some even contain glasses to enjoy the beverage. From cardboard boxes, tins, ribbons, bows, and wooden boxes. Each is colorfully decorated and makes a great gift. If you’re uncomfortable selecting or really don’t know that much about wines and spirits, simply ask one of the store’s employees for assistance.
Some suggested wines and spirits for the holidays are:
2021 Attems “Cicinis” Collio, Sauvignon Blanc, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Italy. Light straw-colored with a fruity bouquet and flavor of citrus (especially lime), lychee, pink grapefruit, and peaches. Additional hints of sage, honeysuckle, herbs, lemongrass, mint, and mineral notes. A cold seafood salad of shrimp, scungilli, calamari, and mussels is perfect with this wine.
2021 Trapiche “Oak Cask” Chardonnay, Mendoza, Argentina. (Aged 6 months in French and American oak.). Pale yellow color with a fresh bouquet and taste of lemons, apples, and pears. Flavors of pineapple with hints of dill, white flowers, and oak. This medium-bodied wine pairs well with steamed asparagus drizzled with hollandaise sauce.
2020 Trapiche “Gran Medalla” Chardonnay, Mendoza, Argentina. (Aged in French oak for 9 months.). Golden yellow with a full bouquet and taste of butter, orange blossoms, honeysuckle, citrus, and spices. Full in the mouth with flavors of tropical fruit, crème brûlée, and green apple. Serve it with a clove-studded, diamond-hatched sugar glaze, smoked ham.
2021 Mascota Vineyards “Unánime Chardonnay,” Mendoza, Argentina. (Aged in French oak for 6 months, followed by “sur lie” aging.) A full bouquet and flavor of apricots, lemon and lime, pear, and dried pineapple. Hints of brioche, caramel, vanilla, spices, and nutmeg. It displays a flinty minerally and has a long, lingering aftertaste. Perfect for turkey with a chestnut and sausage stuffing.
2021 Trapiche “Oak Cask” Cabernet Sauvignon, Mendoza, Argentina. (Aged 6 months in French and American oak). Deep red-colored with a bouquet of black raspberry, roasted coffee, and black cherries. Medium-bodied with flavors of cocoa, licorice, and plums. Try it with a grilled hamburger cooked medium with a side of roasted peppers.
2021 Trapiche “Tesoro” Malbec, Mendoza, Argentina. (Aged in oak barrels for 14 months). Purple-colored with a fruity bouquet and taste of black fruits, plums, strawberries, and vanilla. Medium-bodied with flavors of chocolate-cherry, earth, and spices. Long aftertaste of smoky black pepper. Pork roast rubbed with Chinese five-spice.
Beefeater Gin, England: Fresh, clean citrus aroma with hints of juniper, orange, and herbs. Crisp, full, and round in the mouth with a dry, lemon finish. Definitely not perfumy. The perfect gin for a martini with a dash of dry vermouth and three olives, or a twist of lemon.
Diplomatico 12-Year-Old Exclusiva Reserve, Venezuela: Aged in used PX sherry barrels. Amber-colored; nose of citrus, toast, prunes, toffee, orange zest, and nuts; rich flavors of jasmine, toffee, and orange. Serve neat or over one or two ice cubes.
Now, what do I want as a holiday gift… a bottle of Baker’s, 107 proof, 7-Year-Old Bourbon Whiskey, and a long straw to keep me happy on a cold winter night! That’s all for now!
Bob Lipinski is the author of 10 books, including “101: Everything You Need To Know About Whiskey” and “Italian Wine & Cheese Made Simple” (available on Amazon.com). He conducts training seminars on Wine, Spirits, and Food and is available for speaking engagements. He can be reached at www.boblipinski.com OR bkjm@hotmail.com
Bob Lipinski, author of 10 books; writes, consults, and conducts training seminars on Wine, Spirits, and Food and is available for speaking engagements.
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