There are many different versions of coolers on the market but they all have one thing in common. They are designed for one purpose and that is to maintain the quality of fine wines. They do this by protecting wines from the two main causes of damage which are heat and light. A good quality wine storage cooler will also protect from changes in humidity that can also affect the wines.

The key features for any wine storage cooler is that it be light proof and that it will maintain the correct and consistent temperature for wine storage. There are two main methods for maintaining temperature control in today’s modern wine storage coolers.

Those with a passive cooling system don’t have adjustable temperature gauges. The temperature is maintained by the construction elements of the cooler instead. The construction will usually be a double walled cooler with some sort of insulating material between the ways, such as styrofoam.

An active cooling system on the wine storage unit is the best choice for storing white wines. That is because white wines should be served at least slightly chilled and so should be kept at lower temperatures than other wines. This type of system will usually contain similar insulation to the passive systems but will also have a variable refrigeration system as well.

There are a large variety of wine storage coolers on the market today ranging in both size and price. No matter what size the collection is there will be a cooler that would be appropriate. You will have to decide which size and price will work for your budget when choosing a wine storage cooler for a gift to your favorite wine lover.

An insulated bottle wine cooler is a portable cooler designed for just one or two bottles of wine. This is a perfect wine gift for people who travel but still like to take their wines or that free spirit friend who loves to picnic in the park. The wine will maintain the temperature that it is already at so if you want chilled white wine, you should chill it before putting it into the bottle cooler.

There are wine storage coolers that are perfect for apartment dwellers in features. They are quite small, holding only up to twenty bottles of wine, and they are designed to fit on the countertop. This is a convenient and attractive option for those who live where floor space is at a premium. This is also an easily portable style so can be moved if necessary.

Larger wine storage coolers hold around thirty bottles. These can often be constructed to appear as built-in units to blend in with the decor of the home. This is a good option for the budding wine collector or those who just like to have a variety of wines available at any given time.

If the wine lover is serious about collecting wines, there are larger options for up to one hundred and sixty bottles. These are built in wine storage coolers and are very customizable to individual needs. This option is a pricier choice but would make a fantastic wine gift for someone special.

Wine glasses are an essential accessory for any wine drinker. A good set of glasses will not only be beautiful to look at but will enhance the wine tasting experience. The shape of the glass is very influential on the taste and aroma of the wine served so it is key to purchase the correct glasses for the type of wine being served.

Red wines benefit greatly from being served in glasses that have a wide base that somewhat tapers to a thinner lip. This shape provides ample room for the wine to breathe while the narrower top holds the flavor and bouquet in for the drinker’s enjoyment. Cabernet, Merlot and Bordeaux are three suggestions for wines that should be served in this type of glassware.

White wines do not need to breathe as long as red wines so tend to have narrower bowls than the red wine glasses. Because white wines are usually best served chilled, the design helps keep the wine cold by not exposing as much surface to the air. Some white wines that are served in this type of glass include Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio and Sauvignon Blanc.

Champagne glasses, also called champagne flutes, are taller with thin, narrow bowls. The goal of these type of glasses is to prevent much aeration so that it stays attractively effervescent and stays chilled. There are also sherry glasses that are smaller than other wine glasses but these are less commonly used than the other three styles.

An important facet of wine glass design is the stem. Although it has become more popular to use stemless glasses for wine drinking, a true connoisseur of wine tasting will never use these. The stem is actually made to be able to hold the wineglass for a reason. Holding the bowl of the wine glass will change the temperature of the wine which will negatively impact the flavor of the wine.

Wine glasses come in a large variety of price points to fit into any gift giver’s budget. This will mainly depend on the quality and material used in making the glass set. Obviously, a standard glass will be less expensive but you will generally not find as much in creative designs as you would with higher end materials.

Hand blown glass is a bit higher priced and much more delicate when used in wineglasses. Designs using hand blown glass however can be very beautiful. Wine glass sets made from hand blown glass are lovely decor accents when properly displayed in an open wine rack.

You can also purchase crystal wine glass sets for a very elegant and sophisticated gift. Crystal wine glass sets can be very ornate and opulent. Crystal presents your wine in the best possible way, adding sparkle and elegance to the table.

No matter which that you choose, a wine lover is sure to appreciate a gift of good wine glasses. This is a wine gift that can combine the best of form and function.

Portugal has a rich history of winemaking with about 500 native grape varieties. These varieties produce an abundant supply of distinctive wines, each with it’s own personality. The differing climates and soil compositions across Portugal make it a serious contender in creating great wines. In recent years, the country has shown the world by taking awards in several prestigious wine competitions.

The Romans are largely responsible for the winemaking traditions of Portugal. At one time, the region supplied Rome with much of it’s wines and it’s remained a constant industry ever since. The most popular Portuguese wines are there delicate white wines but they also offer a variety of red and rose wines, as well.

Port is a sweet red wine with a rich flavor. Made in the Douro River Valley region of Portugal, this wine has been a long favorite for savoring the end of a meal. Due to having a low acidity and tannin level, this wine has a very smooth taste despite it’s relatively high alcohol content. Winters in Douro are harsh while summers are hot. The grape varieties grown here are exceptionally hardy and produce intense flavors in wine.

Green wine, or vinho verde, is a unique wine offering available from Portugal. This light and delicate wine is meant to be drunk young instead of being aged. The green in the name refer in part to it’s youth and also the fact that the grapes are picked before being fully ripened. This is a good choice for a wine gift for a seafood lover as the low alcohol content makes them perfect for pairing with saltier foods.

Wines from the Alentejo region of Portugal are exceptional gift choices. This region spreads over almost a third of the country and encompasses three wine growing areas. Beja and Vidigueira in the south make mostly white wines while Redondo and Borba to the west are famous for their full-bodied red wines. Portalegre, to the north, makes wonderful whites and reds. The best estate wines from this region can age for over 20 years. The wines are very full-bodied and dense while only having alcohol content in the 13% range.

Another major wine region of Portugal is the province of Bairrada, stretching from the Atlantic to Coimbra. The soils of this region have a mixture of limestone and clay which gives this region’s wine an earthy flavor. These hardy red wines are a perfect accompaniment to roast pork, lamb, and game. The wines produced in this area have a long aging potential making them a great gift for wine collectors.

As you can see, Portugal has a rich tradition of winemaking. Though often underrated, the wines here rival some of the best produced in the world. They make a wonderful and tasteful gift for any wine lover on your gift list this year.

A gift basket can be created to fit every budget and taste. The wine, of course, is the star of the wine gift basket so you should certainly put some care into choosing what wine to include. If you know the recipient’s favorite wine, that’s an easy choice. Once you’ve chosen your wine, then you can decide what else to go in your basket.

For a hostess gift, your wine should match what you’re having for dinner. A lovely red wine for beef dishes or a white wine for fish are good choices. Adding a set of wine charms will allow the hostess to not worry about people identifying their glasses.

For a birthday wine gift basket, try to buy a wine that was produced the year the recipient was born for a thoughtful touch. This is also a good idea for an anniversary gift. Add a pair of wine glasses and a classic date DVD and you have the makings of a romantic evening. You can even add in massage oils or similar items to complete the theme.

For a Christmas gift, adding in some wine accessories will please the wine enthusiast. A good quality corkscrew or wine collectors album would be appreciated by any wine lover. Layer in some shiny gold and silver Christmas bulbs and the gift becomes beautiful and useful.

Depending on what type of wine you are using, there are many edible things you could put in the basket, too. Crackers, cheeses, chocolate and nuts are all good choices depending on which wine you use. These can be with or without the various accessories already discussed above.

The basket you choose will also add value to your wine gift. Just because it is called a gift basket doesn’t mean that you are limited to traditional wicker baskets. Wicker and rattan are great choices but alternatives can be fun, too. An ice bucket would be a good choice for a champagne gift basket or perhaps a picnic basket for an anniversary gift?

You don’t need a big budget to create a great wine gift basket. The key to putting together a gift basket that anyone would love is in the thought and care put into it. Take your time and think about the person’s taste and personality when assembling your gift.

I’m sure these few gift suggestions are sparking tons of ideas for your own wine gift baskets. Just remember to keep the recipient in mind when you create your basket and you will be giving a wine gift that they will enjoy and savor.

There are a wide variety of styles available for wine storage options. Wine racks come in an assortment of materials and price ranges. This would make a very appreciated wine gift for those who have limited storage options for their growing wine collections.

Since many people still look down on wines with screw-top covers, a good quality corkscrew makes a great gift idea. Just because this is a highly useful accessory doesn’t mean that it can’t be quite decorative as well. There are high end corkscrews available that come in unique shapes or feature decorative inlays to add beauty as well as function.

Wine glasses are alway important. Wine lovers know that it is crucial to drink wine from the appropriately shaped glass and will always appreciate this gift. While true wine glasses will always be clear, you can purchase beautiful versions in hand blown glass or crystal for a truly distinctive wine gift.

Another glassware item that is very useful for a wine enthusiast is the wine decanter. Decanters are especially vital for red wine lovers as the decanter is designed to allow the wine to breathe properly. This is a critical element to experiencing the full flavor potential of a fine red wine.

A magazine subscription to a wine magazine such as Wine Enthusiast or Food & Drink would be a very thoughtful gift. Each month the recipient would remember your gift as they opened the latest issue and learned about new wine offerings. A search online will reveal several other magazines that focus on the love of wine.

Another educational wine gift would be a good book. This could be a book on wine making history, travel books about wine regions or even a large coffee table books featuring outstanding wine art prints. Check out the wine or travel sections at your local bookstores for more options or do a search online to find hundreds of good wine books.

If the person you are buying for is a wine collector, you may want to purchase a wine cellar album as a gift. This book enables the wine lover to record all the details of the wines that they have collected. This is a work of love for the true wine collector as well as being useful as a record for insurance purposes.

A wine tasting journal could be another thoughtful wine gift. This type of journal gives the wine lover a way to remember all the details of the wines they experience. People often write detailed notes of what foods were paired with the wine and all the purchase details for future remembrance.

There you go! You now have eight options for a wine gift without actually buying a bottle of wine. Any combination of these wine accessories will make a distinctive gift for any wine lover.

That’s why true wine connoisseurs will always use a wine decanter, especially for younger red wines. A decanter is a container for wine or other spirits and is often quite decorative. The key to a good decanter is the amount of wine surface that gets exposed to the air. Therefore, a red wine decanter needs to have a wide base. White wine does not need to breathe as much as red so decanters for white wine do not have to be as wide.

When you decant the wine, you should maximize the aeration effect by pouring it slowly against the side of the decanter. This and the traditional swirling in the wineglass will help the oxygen really permeate the wine. An hour is not enough time to breathe for many red wines. Especially young wines tend to be more harsh and can benefit greatly from being decanted several hours before serving.

Another benefit of decanting wines is that it separates any sediments from the wine before they end up in your wineglass. Sediment develops naturally over time as wines age. Although aged wines do not need to breathe very long, decanting will help ensure that the wines clarity and brilliance remain unmarred by any deposits. You will need to pour slowly and don’t decant the last ounce. You can strain that last bit later and use in cooking for wonderful flavor.

When choosing a wine decanter as a gift, you will find yourself confronted with a lot of choices. They are available in designs to fit every decor style as well as in a wide range of prices. Therefore you will need to consider your budget as well as the tastes of the person you are giving the decanter to.

For a very tasteful and elegant gift, one company stands above the rest. Variedly is a glass making company with over 250 years of history behind it and has a well-deserved reputation for the highest quality glassware. In 1990, the Riedel Glass Works bought another very old glass company from the Spiegelau family. That company had been making glass for almost 500 years.

Riedel continuosly creates innovative designs as well as classic timeless styles. All of their decanters are optimized to enhance the wine drinkers experience whether created from hand-blown glass or fine crystal. Some of their decanters are so elaborate or unusual as to almost qualify as art.

Decanters make a lovely wine gift as they combine the finest elements of form and functioning. Any wine lover on your list will appreciate your thoughtfulness in presenting them with a useful wine decanter.

A distinctive wine club will offer the best wines that are available to wine club members, and club members will enjoy the best prices on those wines. A wine club generally buys their monthly selections direct from small wineries at lower prices than most retailers and consumers can negotiate. A wine club purchases wine in large quantities so that the winery can sell their wine to them at discounted prices. Because of the lower pricing, the wine club can then offer the member discounts on further purchases of the monthly selected wine

A wine club that only chooses wines from small boutique wineries will often offer the best wines. Wines made from small vineyards tend to be intensely flavored and very distinctive. The wines offered are usually of premium quality and not found in the local wine shops.

A wine club membership would be a perfect gift for the novice wine enthusiast. The monthly wines are chosen by experts so you know you aren’t going to get a bad wine. The budding wine lover will get the chance to try a wide variety of wines as they learn about wine and develop their own taste in wine.

Most wine clubs include newsletters that educate the members about the wineries, methods of production and history of their wines. Some even will include recipes or food items with their wine selection. These extra details will serve to enhance and add value to your wine club gift.

Experts at wine of the month clubs have strict guidelines for choosing the wines for the monthly club selection. They must taste the wine themselves to experience it firsthand and be sure the quality is what they want to represent their club. They also will do some research and see what other experts are saying and whether the wine has won any type of awards. Of course, price and availability will play a part in whether a certain wine will be selected or not.

If you are choosing a wine club membership as a gift for a discriminating wine connoisseur and your budget allows, you may want to opt for an international wine package. The wines available in these packages will be among the best vintages in the world from the finest wineries. Some packages even include gourmet foods that go with the wines perfectly.

A wine club membership of any sort will make a wonderful gift for almost anyone. Whether the novice who will get a chance to try new wines or the old hand who would like to experience fine wines from around the world, anyone would appreciate this thoughtful gift choice. Any gift giving occasion would be appropriate for a wine club gift membership especially Christmas, birthdays or anniversaries.

Most people don’t think of Washington as a good growing area. Popular culture out of Hollywood has Seattle’s rainy climate spread to the whole state. Nothing could be further from the truth. The eastern part of the state gets over 300 nice days per year because of the Cascade Mountains which block a lot of the moisture from the west. The nice weather and easy access to water makes this region an ideal one for growing wine grape varieties.

Within the nine recognized viticultural areas, a great assortment of grape varietals can be grown. Red wine grapes grown in Washington include Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Cabernet Franc and Merlot varietels. White wine grapes that do particularly well in the region include Viognier, Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling, Semillon and Chardonnay. Each region has different micro-climates that are suited to specific varietals.

Whether for yourself or as a gift, a wine tour in Washington would be a wonderful way to experience the premium quality wines of this region. Most wineries are small and family-owned so you will usually get a much more personal and intimate look at the wine making process. The smaller wineries also tend to have a greater consistency within specific vintages of wine.

Smaller wineries will often allow the wine lover access to the owners and even the wine makers for conversation and education. Sometimes wine tastings are done right in the wine maker’s home! Try to find that in California amongst the thousands of other tourists.

The wineries in Washington make wine tours a bit more difficult than in California. The Napa Valley in California is a very small region so wineries are quite close together. There is a much larger portion of Washington with wineries so to tour multiple wineries will often involve some traveling around.

The advantages of giving a gift of a Washington wine tour is that it is much less expensive than a California tour. This is partially due to the relative newness of the Washington wine industry and partially because there are less tourists there. Also, it is much more unlikely to get the up close and personal feeling in California as there are so many people taking tours. While the Washington wine tours are still unknown, you can get a bargain on wine tours for gifts.

The Washington wine industry is exploding upon the wine world in recent years. Even though wine making is relatively new there, the region has become the second largest wine producer in the United States. The amount of land devoted to growing grapes for wine has tripled in the last ten years and is showing no signs of slowing down. Give a wine gift that will surely go up in price over the next few years.

Differing countries have varying standards as to what qualifies a wine as a vintage wine. In the United States, a wine must be made from at least 95% of the grapes harvested in that particular year. Other countries can be as low as 75% by volume.

Vintage wines tend to be of exceptional quality as only the best grapes are used in the wine making process. These wines are made in a single batch so the consistency of the vintage is even. Vintage wines are made with the utmost care as wine makers know that they will be judged by the quality of their vintage. Also, very few vintners wish to label an inferior wine with the vintage label as they know this would hurt their wineries reputations.

Wine collectors will love a good vintage wine as they are highly prized parts of collections, especially vintage red wines that increase in value and flavor as they age. Provided they are properly stored, wines can continue to increase in value for many years. This can make vintage wines an investment that often doubles and triples in value.

One thought for a unique gift and investment option combined is to purchase a fine red wine vintage for the birth of a child. Do some research first to be sure that that wine has a good history of aging well. Be sure that the wine is stored properly and you will have a wine that will be likely to be quite valuable when the child is older.

When purchasing vintage wines for a gift, there are some things you should keep in mind. One is that not all vintage wines are meant to be collected or saved. There are some wines that are at their best when drunk young or within months of production. This is perfectly acceptable in a wine gift but you should be aware of this if you are looking for a vintage that will increase in value.

Vintage wine is affected by the grapes grown in that particular year. Some areas have consistent climate and little variations so will produce vintages that will be very similar from year to year. Wines that are produced in colder, more variable climates will often produce vintages that vary greatly from year to year.

A way to personalize your vintage wine gift is to choose your vintage year based on something of significance to the recipient. Giving a couple that was married in 1965 a vintage bottle of wine from that year would be a special and thoughtful anniversary gift. A birth year vintage would make a birthday quite memorable, as well.

Most New World wines (those from America, Australia or South America) are often easier to understand. They tend to be much more direct in what they put on the labels. European wine labels, on the other hand, can be confusing with the terms and amount of information. It also doesn’t help that the labels are not in English.

There are terms that you want to see on a label as they often indicate a wine of higher quality. There are also terms that should raise a red flag and often point to inferior quality. There are also terms that are merely informative and don’t give an indication of any sort.

Poor Soil/Deprived of Water sounds like it would be a bad thing but it’s not. Grape varietals grown under these conditions will often tend to focus all the energy on producing and ripening the grapes. The resulting wine is usually superior because the grapes are of higher quality.

Vielles Vignes refers to the fact that the grapes were grown on old vines. Older vines have more concentrated juices and produces wines with richer flavors than newer vines. This is a good indicator of a high quality fine wine.

Estate Bottled refers to wine that is grown, produced and bottled in the same place. This is usually a sign of a higher quality wine as the inference is that the wine maker took great care in producing that vintage in every step of the process. On French wines, watch for Mis en Bouteille au Chateau, au Domaine, or au Propriete on the label.

Cru is a term found on fine French wine labels. The term simply indicates that the wine was produced in the famous wine making regions of Bordeaux, Burgundy or Alsace. This is a definite indication of a high quality wine.

Methode Traditionelle is a common term on American sparkling wines or champagnes. It means traditional method and indicates that it was made in the same way as Old World champagnes. This term is generally of very high quality but at a much lower price than a fine French champagne.

Grand Vin is a term commonly found on French wine labels. Although it sounds good to the English ear, it actually does not indicate quality but only designates that that wine is the primary wine of that particular vineyard.

Superieur is another neutral term that often fools people who only speak English. This term on a French or Italian wine simply shows that the wine has a higher than normal alcohol content.

Terms that should raise a red flag to the wine buyer include strange or unfamiliar wine awards, gimmicky marketing terms and vague geological references. Inferior Australian wine makers have been notorious for placing wine award stickers on bottles that come from meaningless esoteric wine festivals.

Gimmicky marketing terms often try to promote inferior wines by adding flowery prose and hyperbolic statements that really don’t mean anything. Vague geological references are trying to fool the public into believing the wine is of higher quality than it is.
Now that you know which terms to look for, you should have no problem picking out a wine gift of high quality that will truly be appreciated.