The Wine Bottle

Fine wine is expensive and relatively fragile but thrives in the sort of conditions found in underground cellars.Most wine storage attempts to replicate this environment as closely as possible.There are a number of companies who will store wine for you, but if your wine is for consumption, off-site storage has its drawbacks. You can’t just pop in and retrieve the bottles you want when you want and there are charges each time you put wine in or take it out—costs which soon mount up.

As a result, where space affords, most wine lovers find it more convenient to keep their wine at home and the bottle opener handy. Wine should be kept at a cool constant temperature in the dark, so for those of us lucky enough to have proper cellars, storing your wine in a wine rack will provide close to the ideal conditions.That’s especially the case with cork-sealed bottles which are best stored horizontally rather than upright.Humidity is also crucial as it helps to keep the cork in good condition. In a humid cellar a sound cork can comfortably last for around 70 years.

For most of us urban dwellers, though, where living space is at a premium, a cellar is not available.  In that case a wine cooler or wine cabinet is the most versatile and affordable way of storing wine at home. Temperature-controlled storage conditions of some kind are a necessity as the vast majority of homes in the UK are not air conditioned, and ambient temperatures can climb to 30° C during the summer months. Wine coolers come in several different shapes, sizes and finishes, and range in price from relatively cheap to the enormously expensive.Some are little more than adapted refrigerators, while the top models are bespoke pieces of furniture specifically designed with wine storage in mind.

What are the best gifts to get the wine lover for Christmas? Choosing a wine as a gift is a risky practice as it depends on a number of intangible factors, is largely a matter of taste and demands an intimate knowledge of the recipient’s style and preferences.There are some suppliers that go to the extreme of offering chocolate covered wine bottles.That’s probably acceptable as a novelty, provided the wine selection matches the chocolate coating.

Unless you go for the standard dinner sets gift, a far safer and much more practical solution for wine gifts that will really be appreciated is to look at wine accessories .Irrespective of the colour or the vintage, any true wine connoisseur will always appreciate stylish and practical paraphernalia designed to keep wine in top condition and enhance the process of appreciation. Wine racks are always a winner and come in all shapes and sizes as well as a variety of finishes. Wine racks are available in popular oak and pine or more contemporary metal finishes including wrought iron and stylish chrome.

For the more advanced and dedicated wine enthusiast, you could consider a wine fridge from major manufacturers such as Dometic, Liebherr, Transtherm, Artevino and Caple. These companies produce an extensive range that includes single and multi temperature units and under counter units. Many feature glass fronts, so you can view your wine collection without compromising the wine cooler’s efficiency.

For the more studious or armchair wine fan there are highly informative interactive CD-ROM based wine tasting courses that will allow you to make wine tasting notes as if you had been doing it for years. You can combine those with wine tasting accessories including blind wine tasting bottle covers for your wine tasting parties, professional wine tasting glasses, spittoons and a selection of Clef du vin used to assess the ageing potential of wine.

Wine racks, whether ready-made or flat packed for self assembly, are built to be versatile and strong using solid wood blocks and 18-gauge bright galvanised steel.  They are robust and durable and provide convenient large capacity storage, but they can also be visually attractive and interesting items of furniture in their own right.Even when they are empty, they can be surprisingly appealing in an architectural way.

Most hardwood wine racks are constructed from quality materials and are available in a variety of stains and finishes, including oiled or waxed effects.The most popular choices tend to be Black Walnut, White American Oak, Maple, Douglas Fir or Ash.Softwood racks are generally built from grade ’A’ furniture pine and it’s these which comprise most of the ’flat-packs’ for self assembly.These wine racks too are available in a number of stain effects such as Natural, Light Oak, Yew, Mahogany, Rosewood, Dark Oak, Weathered Oak and Black Ash.Matching plinths are also available for a range of free standing hardwood and softwood racks.  

In the commercial sector, counter top wine racks offer the perfect combination of storage and display, holding bottles securely in a unit that is visually pleasing and functions as an effective counter top Point-Of-Sale system.These counter top units come in variety of styles such as stainless steel or wooden finishes and will hold from six to nine bottles.  They provide easy access for serving staff and some even have matching glassware, so together they can enhance the ambiance of any bistro, wine bar or restaurant.

For both the business user and the more advanced and dedicated wine enthusiast with larger volume requirements,  a  wine cooler or wine fridge from major manufacturers such as Dometic, Liebherr, Transtherm, Artevino and Caple can also be both practical and stylish.Many feature glass fronts, so the wine collection can be seen without compromising the temperature.

Wine gift baskets have become more popular in recent years. Wine itself is a classy gift. A wine basket can be an elegant way to express congratulations, gratitude, or just friendship. Both men and women appreciate the gift of wine, however, women usually appreciate the accessories included in the basket more than the actual wine itself. Wine baskets can be given for any occasion. However, the most popular occasions are birthdays, anniversaries and weddings.

The most important choice in a wine basket is the wine itself. Wine comes in two varieties – red and white. Red wine is made from red and black grapes while white wine is made from white grapes. Popular red wines are cabernet sauvignon, merlot and Grenache. Red wines are usually full flavored. The chocolaty flavor of merlots makes them a very popular choice among women. Grenaches contain a slight taste of raspberries.

The other type of wine is white wine. Obviously white wines will be made from white grapes. Chardonnays are the most preferred white wines. They appear to be fruity on the palet with varying degrees of vanilla.

While choosing the wine, you should keep in mind the occasion for which the gift is being purchased. Many wine gift basket retailers have certain wines that fit certain occasions, such as Valentines, Christmas or New Years. Also, for who you buy wine for should play a factor in making the wine choice. When you buy wine for a person knowledgeable in wine, you would want to find wine that are more rare or unusual. However, for a beginner, almost any wine choice could do.

After choosing the wine, the next step is to decide on the other items that you will include in the basket. Food is a common accessory. However, food choices should be made with the type of wine and the preferences of the receiver in mind. Some foods go better with one type of wine than others. Common food selections are sesame crackers, cheeses, chocolates, nuts, fruits and olives. Be sure to consult a wine and food pairing chart to ensure the correct food choice for the wine that has been chosen.

Another common accessory for wine baskets is the glass. The type of wine also determines the type of glass chosen. Red wines are typically served in glasses with larger bowls. Champagnes are served in flutes. And white wines are served in glasses with long stems and small bowls. The number of glasses included in the basket should be determined by the occasion for which the gift was given.

It is not unusual for other items to be included in wine gift baskets. These other items can be determined by the occasion and the recipient. For example, a beginning enthusiast may enjoy some good literature on choosing a wine. Alternatively, a basket given for an anniversary may include some spa products so that it has a more romantic feel.

Coming up with gift ideas can be a very frustrating thing that people must do from time to time. Many people are not able to think of what a person may want to receive as a gift, or you may be shopping for a person that has everything already. This can be one of the worst situations to be in when it comes to gift giving. A gourmet wine and cheese gift basket can relieve a person of this worry and be a very nice gift that most people would love to get.

There are a variety of containers that a person can choose to use for the wine gift baskets that they make for others. An ice bucket is a common choice, not to mention very practical as well. Many people place a bottle of wine into the ice bucket along with other accessories that would be suitable with the wine that you are giving.

Try putting a corkscrew in the bucket as well. Many people are in need of this item when they want to open up a bottle of wine. I know in my own experience that it can never be found at the time that a person needs it. So, with this in mind it could be the perfect item to go with the wine.

Another very nice thing that you can include in the wine gift baskets that you make would be a nice complimentary cheese. There are a huge number of cheeses that are available that can go along with the wine that you have chosen very well. Take a look around some specialty shops and you will definitely find something.

Throw some crackers into the wine gift baskets that you create as well. This can give them a bit of everything when they open the gift. Some good wine and crackers can be a very nice way for a person or people to relax.

You are almost done! But there is one thing remaining that is not in the gift basket you have made. You need to put some wine glasses in it! What good is wine without something to drink it out of? There are a lot of wine glasses that you can choose from. Think of the person that the gift is for when making a decision. Some people like more elegant styles than others. So use your mind to get what you think is suited to the person that the wine gift basket is for.

You can do anything you want when it comes to wine gift baskets, all that it really takes is a bit of an imagination. Just let yourself go and brainstorm a bit. You will be surprised at the things that will come to mind. Keep in mind the occasion of the gift basket and the person or people that it is for and it will surely turn out to be a very well received gift.

Wine Lovers Gifts

Looking for some top gift ideas for wine lovers that you know then worry no longer, because here is a list that is devoted to helping you “find a gift divine those who love wine”. Of course, it must go without saying that a personal vineyard tops this list, but if your budget doesn’t stretch quite that far there are a few more modestly priced gifts included. Take a quick browse through this list of…

10 Great Gift Ideas For Wine Lovers

1. The best gift is still the personal vineyard. Now, this isn’t realistic for most of us – but you can buy a share in many vineyards! This is a very cool gift which any wine lover will be absolutely thrilled with. While it may not make the recipient into a wine tycoon, this is a very thoughtful gift.

2. Wine glasses. This is a gift which every wine lover will not only appreciate, but actually use; and they’ll think of you whenever they do. Look for large wineglasses which are made with quality craftsmanship – these will be attractive and your wine loving friends will adore them.

3. A Purple “Instant Youth” bottle bag is another good choice. This bag can fit around a bottle of wine; the bag features the slogan “Instant Youth, just add wine”. This is a good gift which is sure to get a smile out of the recipient – and if you put a good bottle inside, this will also be a deeply appreciated gift.

4. You can even order a Cabernet Sauvignon, Petite Syrah, or Pinot Grigio and have it placed in a bottle with a personalized label of your choice. This thoughtful gift is a sure winner for any occasion. You can select the words for the label or even have a personal picture added.

5. A wine box or wine basket is another one of the top gift ideas for wine lovers. You can find these carrying cases in leather, wicker or even wood. They come in sizes which can accommodate one, two or more bottles and the better models include accessories like glasses, stoppers and corkscrews. These wine gifts are certain to be used and loved at summer picnics and outdoor concerts.

6. Any wine lover will be delighted by the Wineopoly board game. The tokens for this variation on Monopoly include a carafe, a wine glass, grapes, cheese and other wine-related icons. You can learn about wine as you play this game and have fun with your wine-loving friends.

7. Wine glass charms are practical, useful and oh, so elegant. There are many wine lovers who collect these and will love this thoughtful gift. A few companies will even let you custom order a set, which will give your present even more bling points.

8. A wine club membership is a fantastic gift idea for anyone, whether they are already serious about their wine or just learning. This is a great way to introduce them to your favorite winery. Wine club memberships are available with many options and can be customized to suit the tastes of the recipient.

9. Cookbooks that specialize in recipes involving wine are also welcome gifts. You can create a gift basket with a cookbook, a bottle of wine, and a few other small additions. Toss in a wine lover’s apron, potholders, corkscrew and some assorted pastas and cheese to create a unique and lovely presentation that is sure to please.

10. A novelty T-shirt with an original or inspired saying can be worn by any proud wine lover who is worth a bunch of grapes.

• Get a Tan with your Tannins…pick your own grapes
• The Wine is Divine but it crushed the poor grapes
• Nectar of the gods…Produced by our soles
• Us Old Vines Have The Best Wines
• Wine is fruit….and they recommend 4 servings of fruit daily

Reasons To Join A Wine Club

If you love to drink the “nectar of the gods” then joining a wine of the month club can provide you with more than just a few benefits. Many people are choosing wine as their hobby because it is considered slightly more refined than “kegger parties” or “making homemade lye soap”.

Joining a wine of the month club offers the opportunity to meet other enthusiasts and taste a lot of wines you may otherwise never have the chance to try.

More and more independent vineyards and bottlers are increasing their market share through self-promotion via wine clubs and mailings. If you are considering joining a wine club, I have listed the top 5 benefits for you to read. This way you are able to see that joining a wine club can bring much more to your table than just “a bottle of the good stuff”.

1. Your wine will arrive in an inconspicuous brown wrapper; perfect if you happen to have nosy neighbors.

• Wine clubs all deliver their goods via UPS in plain brown boxes, so you’re your nosy neighbor doesn’t have to see what’s being delivered to your home (it’s really none of their business anyway).

2. Impress your friends. People will be amazed at your wine collection, which will have some rare and unusual bottles – but you’ll know that you really didn’t spend a lot on your collection. You can tell friends that those bottles of small-bottling Petite Syrah in your cellar cost hundreds (they didn’t cost you hundreds, but they don’t have to know that).

3. Make Money. You can take advantage of your collection by hosting a wine tasting at your home! If you were so inclined, you could even charge a fee for the food and drink served at your tasting.

4. Saves Time and Effort. Being in a wine club can keep your wine collection well stocked, all without having to run out to buy wine. You’ll never have to run out at the last minute to find a bottle for dinner again!

5. Ha-Ha Time….Wine club benefits include the ability to play dozens of new practical jokes…

• You will be the only one who knows the exact features and description of the wine in the bottle, so if you decide to challenge friends to a wine taste off…….hey, you’ll beat the experts. A really good wine connoisseur may know the aromas and flavors but he sure as heck will not know exactly when and where it was bottled…..only you will know that it is from McQuiqqleburry Lantern Vineyards….

• Fill the empty bottles of really good wine with cheap stuff that you bought on sale and serve them to any of the pretentious snobs that you might know…. You know the ones that we are talking about, I’m sure. Make sure that others get the best wine you have and only your select guests should have glasses filled with your special “house wine”.

The wine snobs will probably spend a lot of time trying to rave about the wine as much as everyone else. This can be a great prank to reveal later; that is, if you can keep a straight face through dinner.