KEY POINTS:
A decent bottle of wine or bubbly and their accessories are surefire gifts. Viva helps navigate the choices
Noting that the shape of the package suggested there was wine within, I ripped off the paper in anticipation of something seductive to savour.
Presented to me many years back by my then boyfriend at I time when I was just starting to get into wine, my heart sank when it was revealed that the bottle in question was a less than exciting liebfraumilch. This was our last Christmas as a couple.
To be fair, it wasn't just the festive faux pas that sealed the fate of this particular relationship. And I did forgive him as I had to admit that finding an appropriate gift for a budding wine buff was not an easy call, especially if you're not one yourself.
If you've got a connoisseur on your Christmas list, or anyone with a more general interest in wine, the shops are certainly full of good gift ideas this season.
For those in tune with the tastes of their friends and loved-ones, most wine stores are able to supply gift boxes to house wines of your choice. Many good wineries also supply attractive 1- or 2-bottle packs at this time of year, such as Jules Taylor ($90 - Glengarry), who has packaged her knockout 2008 sauvignon blanc and classy chardonnay with funky T-Shirts bearing slogans such as "It's not how we're drinking... it's what we're drinking": I'd raise a good glass of wine to that!
Few would spurn Champagne, and the big brands have gone to town this Christmas when it comes to clothing their wares in bling and throwing in some fancy accessories. For the bon viveur on the move, Veuve Cliquot have the City Traveller ($70 - Glengarry and other fine wine stores), a half bottle of its Champagne housed in a funky orange handbag designed to keep the contents chilled for two hours.
Moet has brought out a jewel-encrusted "Be Fabulous" version of its Brut Imperial ($94 or $110 with glitzy ice bucket - Glengarry). And for those with vintage tastes, Perrier Jouet is offering its flagship Belle Epoque Champagne boxed with a pair of wine glasses ($225 - Glengarry). Adorned with the label's attractive Art Nouveau flower design, they're as deliciously elegant as the bubbly in the bottle.
Other classy combos can be found in Glengarry's gift selection, such as the French market basket ($98) filled with a bottle of spicy Gisselbrecht Pinot Gris, picnic mat, wine knife and Riedel O glasses. The gris also joins Jaboulet's soft and peppery Parallele 45 Cotes du Rhone in the French cheese gift box ($138).
This year has seen the publication of a number of excellent wine books worthy of gracing any buff's shelves. Michael Cooper has released an updated version of his Wine Atlas ($125 - good bookstores), a comprehensive guide to New Zealand's vineyards and wineries, illustrated with useful 3D maps that give a great idea of the topography of our wine regions, illuminated by Cooper's serious and well-researched text.
In contrast, an amusing and irreverent view of winemaking in New Zealand can be found in Eric Arnold's First Big Crush ($32.99 - good book stores), which charts the exploits of its American author as he gets "wet, cold, dirty, sunburned, sore, scraped, bruised, broken, and completely shitfaced" working the vintage in Marlborough, in the process offering a fascinating and accessible insight into the workings of a winery.
More great reading material for the aficionado who has everything can be found in the World of Fine Wine. Annual subscriptions to this intelligent, eclectic and beautifully presented quarterly magazine can be purchased via its website, www.finewinemag.com, for around NZ$275.
For the well-informed wine drinker, there's L'Atelier du Vin's Wine Quiz ($59 - Urban Loft, Smith & Caughey, La Cigale), allowing them to test their knowledge through questions ranging from the wines and vineyards of the world to "mythical wines".
There's also plenty of smaller wine-themed prezzies suitable for secret Santas or stocking fillers, such as Monopoly themed wine glass charms ($16 - Living & Giving). For the clumsy quaffer, there's the Oops Red Wine Stain Remover ($16.95 - The Homestore, Millys Kitchen Shop, Applewood - The Kitchen Shop) to help deal with those potentially ruinous spills.
Also at an online shop like www.beverageconcepts.co.nz there's a host of wine stoppers, preservers and coolers. These include a Vacuvin Rapid Ice Wine Cooler ($28.50) jazzed up with a design by American artist, Guy Buffet.
And finally, if budget is no object then the ultimate wine gift this year has to be - a white gold jeroboam of Dom Perignon. The bottle is sheathed in a white gold envelope, and designed in association with world-renowned jeweller Chaumet's "Attrape-moi... si tu m'aimes" collection. The white gold envelope also acts to keep the bottle chilled. There is only one of the double-sized magnums in New Zealand, and it is available from Glengarry for a mere $14,500.
With these up Santa's sleeve there should be less of a chance of wine gift gaffes this Christmas, paving the way for more fruitful relationships in the coming year.
