Monday, March 25, 2024

Best Wine To Gift 2021

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Peter Michael Chardonnay La Carrire

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Origin: Knights Valley, CaliforniaPrice: $140 for 750 ml.ABV: 13.9%

Although Chardonnay may have fallen out of fashion for a time, Napas Peter Michael Winery stayed true to the grape. The winery is considered by many in the industry to be Americas finest Chardonnay producer, or at least in the top five.

But the 2016 La Carrière is a special wine, even by Peter Michaels standards, and one that easily makes GAYOTs list of Best Gift Wines. A single vineyard wine coming from Peter Michaels Knights Valley estate, it is a Chardonnay of great elegance. Aromas include almond, toasted brioche, honey and ripe pear. Medium-bodied, it offers notes of pear and stone fruit flavors with bright citrus acidity and an intriguing thread of minerality.

> For more information, visit the Peter Michael Winery official website.

Sweet & Fortified Specialist Retailer Of The Year

Runner-up: Cambridge Wine MerchantsTwo outstanding specialists here, in a reversal of last years category positions. Vintage won for its epic 1,500-strong list, with the sweet wine range in particular having been bolstered this year , as well as its efforts to win over a younger audience through YouTube and social media. Cambridge has a joyous range in this category.

Austria Specialist Retailer Of The Year

Winner: The Wine SocietyMembers of The Wine Society have a thirst for Austrian wines, as witnessed by sales exceeding £2m for the second year in a row, including more than £400,000 for en primeur, a rare venture for a UK retailer. Great producers, outstanding own-labels, said one judge, as The Wine Society took the award for the third year in succession.

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How Does Wine Access Decide Which Wines Are Worthy

The team at Wine Access tastes over 20,000 wines a year! Only about 1 out of every 18 wines make the cut. These bottles are the best of the best based on taste of course, but also their value.

How Does Wine Access Work?

Anyone can order amazing bottles of wine from the Wine Access online wine shop. Order them straight to your own door or send them as a great gift.

But if youre looking for a more immersive wine experience the Wine Access Wine Club subscriptions are the way to go.

Most wine clubs tend to send wines from the same brands over and over. But Wine Access hand-selects their wines from all the globe so they can deliver those hard to find gems. With each shipment youll get a perfectly curated collection of bottles from around the world that you wont find anywhere else.

And if youre looking for an impressive gift for a wine lover, selections from Wine Access will have your gift recipient drinking like a wine expert everyday.

England & Wales Specialist Retailer Of The Year

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Runner-up: The English VineCambridge-based Grape Britannia is an excellent evangelist for the English & Welsh wine cause, stocking 228 wines across a range of prices. Triumphing again this year, it has refreshed and updated its range, bolstered its online presence and resumed events . The English Vine also does a laudable job.

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Murrietas Well The Spur Red Wine Blend

Origin: Livermore Valley, CaliforniaVarietal: 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Merlot, 6% Petite Sirah, 7% Malbec, 5% Petit VerdotPrice: $40 for 750 mlABV: 14.5%

This is a bottle for the wine lover on your list who enjoys the unexpected and will never anticipate a wine with this elegance and restraint to come from Californias Livermore Valley. Murrietas Well is an estate-grown winery that celebrates the climate and terroir of the Livermore Valley. It is clear from their wines that they truly understand which grapes work in the region.

Their 2019 Red Blend is a complex wine for the price, which is why it makes our list of the Best Gift Wines. It offers bright cherry and berry aromas. Its blackberry, black plum and cherry fruit flavors show pleasing restraint and are backed up by vanilla and the heat of clove near the finish.

> For more information, visit the Murriettas Well official website.

Robert Hall Cabernet Sauvignon 2018

Paso Robles, Calif., $15

If Napa Valley cabernet is pricey for your budget, Paso Robles is all too eager to step in and meet your red wine needs. The Robert Hall cabernet is deep in color, plush in texture and rich with flavors of black currant and blackberries, spiced with cocoa and coffee. It achieves all this without tasting as though it had been made in a laboratory. ABV: 14.5 percent.

Distributed by Breakthru: Available in the District at A-1 Wines & Liquors, Benning Liquors, Capitol Fine Wine and Spirits, Chevy Chase Wine & Spirits, Classy Corks Wine & Spirits, Cleveland Park Wine and Spirits, Harrys Reserve Fine Wine & Spirits, Haydens Liquor, McReynolds Liquors, Morris Miller Wine & Liquor, Rodmans. Widely available in Maryland. Available in Virginia at Ashburn Wine Shop in Ashburn Harris Teeter Kroger in Charlottesville Total Wine & More Westover Market in Arlington.

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The Top Five Best Wine Brands

Masseto

Based in sunny Tuscany, in the Bolgheri region of Italy, Masseto is a cult winery with an iconic vineyard thats known for producing top quality vintages. The brand has received multiple 100-point scores from critics and is notorious for being difficult to get hold of. Production totals around just 30,000 bottles a year and the average bottle costs around $790. The vineyard, which was first founded by Lodovico Antinori in 1981, converted entirely to organic farming in 2012 and keeps climate change at the forefront of its production methods. The brand was a hit from its first release in 1986 and is one of the most well-known and best-performing wineries.

Screaming Eagle

Screaming Eagle Winery and Vineyards is a Californian wine estate and another cult winery. The brand produces the most expensive wines in North America and its Sauvignon Blanc occupies the top spot, with an average sales price of $5,974. In order to buy its wine directly from the brand, buyers must sign up for a waiting list. The average time to wait on this list before being able to buy a bottle is around 12 years. Due to a surge in high-profile counterfeit wine cases, each bottle of Screaming Eagle comes with a bubble-coded security seal. It keeps its doors firmly shut to the public.

Bodega Catena Zapata

Chateau Latour

Heitz Cellar

Gamble Family Vineyards 2016 Paramount Red Wine

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A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, and Petit Verdot, the 2016 Paramount Red Wine is an exceptional blendand the grapes selected for this wine are always the best of the best at the winery. A Bordeaux-style wine with a creamy body, expect notes of black cherry and vanilla. Suggested retail price:$90

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Bodega Catena Zapata Adrianna Vineyard

Selecting our overall best wine was no easy task but this 2016 Malbec is sure to be a winner no matter whos pouring it. Its an incredibly nuanced and detailed wine, promising depth and character from every sip. One of the highest rated wines, its a critics favourite and a rich, aromatic bottle to delight family and friends over dinner.

Thought to be perhaps the best ever wine produced by Catena, its dense and fresh, full-bodied and layered, flavourful and elegant all at once. Its a wine to please the masses but a bottle that youd be forgiven for saving for yourself. Featuring aromas of roses and pine needles with hints of spice and tobacco, its a wine that just keeps on giving. Enjoy it for its bold and structured notes.

Variety: MalbecVintage: 2016Appellation: Uco Valley, ArgentinaABV: 14.6%

For The Host Who Doesnt Want To Cook: Raclette Grill

I am a big foodie and I love to invite people over. The coolest gift I have ever received was a raclette grill. Everyone loves cheese and there are a million other ingredients your guests can grill. Its a great way to sit at the table for a long time, conversate and drink while each person grills their food. For the host, it is easy to prepare and stress-free. And theres no need to worry about what youll be cooking. Itzel Wittlif, Digital Product and Marketing Manager

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Cline Ancient Vines Carignane

Type: 100% CarignanOrigin: Contra Costa County, California, USAPrice: $27ABV: 15%

This wine practically bursts from the glass with a perfume of violets and plums, espresso and clove. Its a big wine that packs a punch of alcohol, so dont let it sneak up on you.Youre likely to be so attracted to its bright acidity and lingering finish that youll find it hard to turn down that second glass.

> For more information, visit the Cline official website.

The Art Of Giving Wine When You Aren’t Sure What They Like

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It’s that time of year when we all start to turn our thoughts to the quickly approaching holidays. Being in the grip of Covid-19 means that the season will look very different this year, but you can still let the special people in your life know how much they mean to you with the thoughtful gift of wine. Most especially with large holiday events not possible, a special bottle of wine will come in handy for small-circle home entertaining.

But how do you buy wine for someone when you aren’t exactly sure about their taste preferences? This has been my all-time, number one, most-asked wine question in my two decades of selling wine. So fear not, dear reader, as I now give as a holiday gift to you this detailed guide. It will help you to buy confidently if you are confused about which bottle would be the best bet when you want to show someone you care.

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How To Drink Wine

The easiest way to find the right bottle of wine for you and your occasion is simply to ask a wine expert or sommelier for their recommendations based on your taste. If youre pairing wines for dinner, tell the expert what dishes youll be making. If youre simply buying a bottle of wine to broaden your horizons, the most important things to state are your price range and flavour preferences.

When it comes to preparing and drinking wine, there are differences based on the colour of the wine. Red and fortified wines should be served a touch below room temperature, while white, rose and sparkling wines benefit from a chill. Red wines should be kept in the fridge for around 45 minutes before serving, while white, rose and sparkling wines can stay in the cool for around two hours.

White wine glasses are typically smaller than red wine glasses, as they dont need the same surface area to oxidise. When drinking the wine, hold the glass by the stem rather than the bowl. This will help the wine to keep at the same temperature, rather than warming up in your hand.

Pour 30 to 60 ml of wine into a glass to taste it before serving. Swirl the wine in the glass, holding the stem, to expose it to a larger surface area. Smell the wine as you swirl it to release the flavours and varied aromas. A higher quality wine will offer different aromas the more its swirled.

Harlan Estate 2017 Napa Valley

When Bill Harlan acquired his first acres of raw land in the western hills of Oakville, with the vision of producing a wine that in time would be recognized among the first growths of the world, he didnt rush. Along the way, Harlan might have inspired competition among Napa Valley reds that at its peak pushed past nuance for the sake of lushness and power. But for this vintner, it was never about explosive style. It was about the land, about slowly learning its requirements and expressions. Much of the character of the wine comes from the fact that the vineyards are next to these wildlands, this forest, says Harlan.

The Harlan Estate 2017 seems a vivid reflection of place, benefiting from those years of study and the age of the vines. Floral notes mingle with forest, tobacco, mint, spice and crushed rock, while mountain herbs season rich layers of cassis and dark mocha through an endless, elegant finish. Its bold and structured , but also seamless, fresh and graceful.

Winemaker Cory Empting describes the challenges of the 2017 season in three words: heat and fire. During the final, brutal heat of the summer, the vines shut down, and when the fog returned, sugars actually retreated as tannins ripened. He was given a second chance, harvesting most of the fruit at pinpoint ripeness before the devastating fires of October. His luck has become ours.

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Discovery Club : Perfect For Exploring Wine Through A Theme

  • 6 classic and modern wines chosen to fit a curated theme each quarter
  • Choose from all reds or a mix of both whites and reds
  • Exclusive videos with a guided tasting of each wine from their wine experts
  • Printed detailed note cards so you can learn about each wine and keep track of your favorites
  • 4 shipments per year.

Best Overall: Coravin Wine Preservation System

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Two months ago, this oenophile essential would not have been on my list of best gifts for wine lovers, says Regine Rousseau, CEO of Shall We Wine. now that I am having to find the perfect wine pairing for scallops with garlic beurre blanc on Tuesday and PB& J on Wednesday, I have pivoted!

Rousseau is referring to Coravin, a revolutionary wine preservation system that uses a needle and inert gas to allow users to pour wine without removing the cork from the bottlethis technology has become a widely accepted standard amongst wine professionals worldwide and is the ultimate nerdy gift for the at-home drinker. With this system, says Rousseau, wine lovers can savor every bottle at our own pace, not oxygens.

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For The Wine Lover Who Likes Chilled Wine: A Bottle Insulator

A wine bottle insulator is one of the best wine gifts for someone who likes to keep their wine chilled, or likes to entertain outdoors. The modern, sleek design of the Vinglacé Wine Bottle Insulator makes it a very stylish wine chiller for a trendy wine drinker, without sacrificing functionality: It’s made of double-walled, vacuum-insulated stainless steel to keep bottles cold for hours.

Mumm Napa Sparkling Wine Gift Box

California sparkling offers the same great quality of Champagne but at a slightly less steep price. We like the Mumm Napa Sparkling Wine Gift Box because it has a little bit of everything when it comes to snacking and pairing: cheese, pretzels, crackers, truffles, and dried fruit. The Cuvée M from Mumm Napa offers a touch of sweetness but still in that bright, fresh, and effervescent style one craves in sparkling wine.

Price at time of publish: $100

Hello, holiday mimosas! For your gift recipients who are cocktail enthusiasts and know how to get the party started early, this Blood Orange Mimosa Kit is a must. Pop and pour a duo of personalize-sized Ruffino Prosecco and add just a splash of Sanpellegrino Aranciata Rossa for the best holiday brunch companion. Did we mention it comes with maple French toast-flavored popcorn?

Price at time of publish: $50

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For The Coffee Fanatic: Yabano Espresso Machine

As someone who grew up in Massachusetts, whenever asked, do you want Dunkin, my answer had always been a resounding Yes! Until my boyfriend bought me the Yabano espresso machine. I had never owned an espresso machine before, but its design is so intuitive that I didnt even need to read the directions to get started. Its a breeze to clean and makes such delicious iced and hot beverages that it has replaced my weekend Dunkin runswhich I never thought would happen. Kristen Richard, Digital Editor

Justin Wine And Chocolate Truffles

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Ideal for chocolate lovers, Justin Vineyards culinary team has created a stunning line of truffles to complement their wines. Both are available for shipping. The rose of syrah is substantial and phenomenal with the strawberry-basil truffle. Try Justification, the winerys Bordeaux-style wine blend, with sea salt caramel, and sip the Isosceles red blend with the dark chocolate or hazelnut praline.

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What Not To Buy

Walking into any wine store to pick up gifts without a firm plan in mind can be an overwhelming experience. A sea of confusing labels all compete for your attention in a cacophony of choice. Therefore we will start by reducing the seemingly endless array of options through the process of elimination.

Unless you are very sure that the gift recipient likes any of the following styles or the person is exceptionally well-versed in the subject of wine is open to trying all kinds of obscure styles, it is advised that you avoid gifting the following wines. Wine is a highly personal beverage, and although you may be temped to want to introduce someone to something unique or unusual, few people are truly super adventurous when it comes to their wine taste preference. Your well intentioned and gift may be re-gifted, returned -or worst of all: opened and not enjoyed, causing the rest of the bottle to be wastefully dumped out! Best gift-giving practice when you are unsure is to play it on the safe side.

The following may all be good wines, but they tend to be too specific or niche to go with when you are flying in the dark and trying to pick something to give as a gift from the vast world of wine.

Wines to avoid giving as gifts:

  • Wine packaged in specialty bottles such as tree ornaments or animal shapes – the look may be fun but wine inside is usually the lowest possible quality.

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