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This month we want to help you with that special gift for the wine lover in your life. If he or she is a reader, here are some books about wine that we recommend. All three are available at Davis-Kidd in Green Hills (check out their store display, or order on the web at www.daviskidd.com ).
Wine and War, Don and Petie Kladstrup (2001). Hitler didn’t drink wine, but Goebbels and other Nazi leaders did. When the Germans marched into Paris in June of 1940, they couldn’t wait to get their hands on the great wines in all those Chateau cellars. But the French had other ideas. This book recounts the tenacity and ingenuity they showed in saving their treasured vintages from the invaders. $14.00 (paperback).
Judgment of Paris, George M. Taber (2005). On May 24, 1976, in a blind tasting in Paris, French judges declared a California Chardonnay and a Cabernet Sauvignon the world’s best. This revolutionary judgment destroyed the myth of French supremacy and marked the democratization of the wine world. The author, the only journalist to attend that signal event, captures the drama of the occasion and goes into the interesting history of the legendary California winemakers who paved the way: Robert Mondavi; Rodney Strong, Mike Grgich, David Bruce, and Andre Tchelistcheff. $26. (hardback).
The Emperor of Wine, Elin McCoy (2005). All winemakers brag about their Robert Parker ratings. Have you ever wondered who Robert Parker is, and how he came to wield so much power in the wine world? This book tells the fascinating story of how a middle class bankruptcy attorney from Monkton, Maryland became the world’s most famous and influential wine critic. A fascinating, inside look at the wine world. $25.95 (hardback).
All serious wine drinkers, sooner or later, get interested in ways to improve their tasting experiences. Here are some great ideas. The first two are from the International Wine Accessories catalog.
Order from the internet at www.iwawine.com.
Vinturi Wine Aerator, $34.95. Enhance the bouquet and taste of a wine instantly with this scientifically proven, easy to use aerator. Just hold the device over a glass or decanter and pour the wine through. It makes an impressive hissing sound! Includes a stand and travel pouch.
Leather Wine Cellar and Label Book, $39.95. This book defines wine terms, includes a guide to tasting and scoring, and tells how to establish a wine cellar. Half of the 128 pages are left blank for personal tasting notes. Very classy look--made in London of leather with gold leaf trim.
Two other recommendations come from the Wine Enthusiast catalog.
These can be ordered from www.wineenthusiast.com.
Wine Bouquet Kit, $69.95. This kit includes 12 vials of the most common aromas found in wines. Make a game of trying to identify these in a blind sniffing! The set comes in a nice gift box.
Wine Bottle Tote, $29.95. This attractive nylon tote has carry handles and a detachable shoulder strap. It holds three bottles of wine or, if romance is in the air, one compartment can be converted to hold two wine glasses.
If you will be coming into the store anyway to buy Christmas wine and spirits, why not take care of your gift shopping on the spot? We have some terrific gifts that are sure to endear you to the most discriminating friend or family member.
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Riedel glasses. Yes, you can get these at Frugal’s. People who drink wine from a Riedel glass become believers! It does enhance taste. We have several series in stock. The Vinum Series is the top of the line and comes in these shapes: Chardonnay ($16.99); Cabernet ($18.99); and Pinot Noir ($19.99). There is also a beautiful Single Malt glass for $16.99. These glasses should be washed by hand. The Restaurant Series (also called the "W" series) is a bit thicker and can be put into the dishwasher. These glasses have a nice pentagonal stem that feels good in your hand. They come in Chardonnay, Cabernet, Zinfandel/Chianti (pictured above) and Pinot bowls at only $7.99 each, or $31.96 for a box of four. Mix or match. In addition, we carry the new stemless "O" line that is attracting a lot of attention. Several sizes are in stock, priced at $8.99 each, or $17.98 for a box of two (pictured above). For a really impressive gift, choose a Riedel decanter. They come in a variety of graceful and eye-catching shapes, starting at $100. If something you like isn’t in stock, don’t worry. Riedel items are warehoused right here in Nashville and we can get whatever you want in a day or two.
Special Bottles. How about a gift bottle of wine--something your special person might never buy for him or herself, or that isn’t available just anywhere?
Here are some suggestions: William Selyem Pinot Noir 2004 (Sonoma Coast, pictured above) $72.99;
a 2002 Cabernet Sauvignon by Mike Grgich, the legendary Napa winemaker ($68.99); the 2002 Standish Relic Shiraz from Australia (pictured above, $58.99); or, for the white wine drinker, Shafer Red Shoulder Ranch 2004 Napa Chardonnay (pictured above) at $46.99. It helps if you know what the recipient usually likes, but that isn’t essential. Gift bottles purchased from us will be gladly exchanged.
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Gift Sets. Many of the name brand spirits makers offer specially packaged gift sets at the holiday season. If your recipient drinks spirits, we have nice sets of Macallan Scotch, Tanqueray gin, or Tennessee’s finest, Jack Daniel’s, among others. We also have an especially nice selection of gift-boxed cordials such as B & B liqueur, Cointreau, Bailey’s Irish Cream, and additional choices too numerous to mention. Most sets include a bottle of the spirits and one or two beautiful glasses to pour it into. Gift set prices range from $12.99 to $47.99. Our guys will help you find the perfect gift for that special person. Give them a try!
Photo credits: Jerry Hall
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