September 19, 2011

Vintage Wine Gifts for Special Anniversaries

A special anniversary, such as a silver, ruby or golden wedding anniversary, calls for an extra special gift, and choosing the right option can often be difficult and time consuming. An ideal solution, resulting in a Wine Gift that is not only prestigious but also highly personal and thoughtful, is a vintage wine from the corresponding year. Vintage wines are rightly regarded as being sophisticated gifts with an air of exclusivity attached, but they also provide a direct connection to the year being commemorated, sharing as they do the same year of origin. The vintage wine gift can be enjoyed as the centrepiece of the celebration, or saved as a keepsake for the future.

Many prospective purchasers of a are however discouraged by their lack of experience of vintage wines, fearful perhaps of choosing the wrong option. It is the aim of both this article and the sister article “Choosing the Perfect Anniversary Wine Gift” to dispel any doubts that you may have by providing all the information you need to begin to explore the options available for your vintage wine anniversary gift. Whereas the companion article deals with the more general selection of an anniversary wine for any year, here we will concentrate on the specific options open to you for special anniversaries taking place in the year 2010.

Some Thoughts on Wine Styles and Vintages

Perhaps the most important thing to note as you embark on your selection of a vintage wine gift for your special anniversary is that you will rarely err, provided you pay due consideration to the tastes of your recipient. Vintage wines are, almost by definition, wines that have established a good reputation through tastings and favourable reviews and so have stood the test of time and found themselves in the cellars and inventories of discerning vintage wine merchants. The weaker and more insipid wines, and those that are simply not suited to long term storage, are generally rooted out and will not become established. So rest assured that, in settling upon a vintage wine gift, you are already firmly on the path to a memorable gift that will be treasured.

This said, it is also worth going that extra mile to ensure the gift is as well suited as possible to the tastes of the recipient. If possible, find out a little about their tastes in wine or other alcoholic beverages. Would they prefer a sweet or a dry style? Do they tend to prefer fruity and bold wines? The more you can establish at this early stage, the more likely it is that your gift will delight.

You will note that here I have not emphasised a choice between red and white wines. This is because, as a general rule, white wines are not suited to long term ageing and are generally past their best after 2 to 5 years in bottle. There can be exceptions, such as some sweet desert wines of Sauternes for instance, but for the beginner to vintage wines looking for a wine at least 10 years old and usually much older, white wines are best avoided.

There then comes the matter of vintage. It is likely that, in keeping with the special nature of your anniversary, you will want the wine gift to be rooted in a vintage year that is noted for its overall excellence. Whilst there is undoubtedly a certain mystique attached to those years in which the vintage wines are recognised as exceptional as a whole, please remember that there will always be quality wines available from even the poorest years. The quality of an overall vintage year for a wine growing region is only part of the story, and there are many other factors that result in the development of an excellent wine.

A very important factor indeed is the extent to which the wine selected will benefit from in-bottle ageing. Whilst the overall standard of the vintage of origin may be good, wines will vary greatly in their response to ageing. Most wines that are produced as standard table wines will typically only be suited to 2 or 3 years of storage before they begin to deteriorate, whatever the standard of the vintage as a whole. Those wines that are selected as vintage wines to be cellared for the long term are chosen on the basis of their known affinity for in-bottle ageing. A carefully aged vintage wine is amongst the greatest wines you will ever experience, and is worth seeking out, but it is not an exact science and so only the test of time itself will determine the quality on opening.

In order to provide you with specific recommendations for vintage wines for your special anniversary, I will concentrate for the remainder of this article on the red wines available from two classic wine regions: Bordeaux and Italy. The reader is of course encouraged to explore further afield as experience and confidence is gained, to encompass the wonderful wines and vintages of Burgundy, Spain, California, Australia, South Africa, and so many other wonderful options. Amongst the great wines of Bordeaux and Italy there is however ample scope for the beginner to find a perfect anniversary gift, and the following options are provided as suggestions to get you going.

10th Anniversary Wines (2000 Vintage)

The red wines of 2000 will still as a rule be young, and should if possible be kept in bottle for further ageing. That is not to say that they will not be delicious if sampled now, but that even greater delights await the patient beneficiary of the gift. The year experienced good growing conditions in both Bordeaux and Italy, but of these the stand out would be Bordeaux. As a whole the wines produced from Bordeaux were powerful and concentrated, and the vintage wines produced have so far proved to be slowly evolving indicating that they will certainly benefit from decades of bottle ageing. Specific recommendations for this year would be:

  • Chateau Palmer 2000, Margaux – a full bodied wine with tastes of blackberries, roasted meats, and even hints of wood smoke
  • Chateau Canon 2000, Fronsac – medium bodied with notes of strawberries, cherries and minerals
  • Chateau Roquefort 2000 – a medium, soft wine with tastes of plums and red fruits

20th Anniversary Wines (1990 Vintage)

Bordeaux and Italian vintage reds from 1990 will as a whole be coming into their peak around now and the buyer can be confident of obtaining a beautiful wine that can be either enjoyed now or saved for a decade or two. Again, both Bordeaux and Italy as a whole experienced great vintage years with ideal growing conditions. Of the two, I would recommend Italy as the truly exceptional vintage from this year, as it was one of the greatest vintages of modern times. The vintage Italian wines are drinking well now but show every indication of continuing to develop if cellared. Specific recommendations would be:

  • Brunello di Montalcino 1990, Geografico – a fresh and juicy wine with red fruits and cherries, along with vegetable tones and smoky hints
  • Barolo Belvedere 1990 – a dry red with a sweet and fruity core, some aromas of prunes and tobacco, and a silky finish
  • Barbaresco Traversa Sori Ciabot 1990 – a fruity wine with black cherry and cassis fruits, but with oaky, tobacco tones

Silver Anniversary Wines (1985 Vintage)

Whilst it is generally true that a vintage red wine of this age will be reaching its peak condition, this is not necessarily so for the Bordeaux wines of this year. Lack of rainfall in August and September led to concentrated wines which have now generally gone past their peak. The Italian vintage was superb and consistent though, especially in Piedmont and Tuscany, and so I would recommend Italian wines both for drinking now and for further cellaring if desired. Specific recommendations would be:

  • Brunello di Montalcino 1985, Castello Banfi – a fresh wine with dark fruits, anice and leather, and an earthy, slightly floral aroma
  • Barolo Prandi 1985 – a powerful and complex wine, with slight hints of vanilla and a floral aroma
  • Barolo Patrizzi 1985 – a smooth and sweet wine with hints of tea and cumin

30th Anniversary Wines (1980 Vintage)

These Vintage Wine will now generally be ready for drinking, whilst the exceptional wines may yet stand further ageing. Whilst the Bordeaux vintage was not exceptional due to wet and cool conditions, the Italian vintage was very good and provided consistent wines, especially the Barolos. Specific recommendations would be:

  • Marchesi di Barolo 1980 – always a classic Italian wine, the 1980 is smooth and elegant with cherry fruits and hints of roses and tea
  • Amarone della Valpolicella 1980 – a full bodied wine with plums and liquorice, that will keep well due to the unique production process
  • Chianti Tenuta di Vignole 1980 – a smooth wine with dark fruits and spice
August 14, 2011

My First Wine Tasting Experience

I tasted wine very late in life. I was 29 years old. I had never tasted wine before I went on a trip to a beach cottage in Mumbai with my colleagues. We were in the Jeep, on our way, when one guy suggested that we open a bottle of wine. I saw that that there were eight bottles of wine.

Initially, I refused to have the wine they offered me but they insisted and I finally gave in. The wine was smooth and a bit sweet but I absolutely loved the taste! After enjoying about 100ml worth of awesome Argentine wine, I asked for a refill. I was gladly given a refill by my friend Mohamed, and we kept on drinking. My colleague proudly informed us that the wine was from Buenos Aires in Argentina. He had been to an amazing wine tasting in Buenos Aires. He loved it so much that he bought thirty bottles!

We were about to open the second bottle when one girl held us back saying that we needed to keep it to drink it on the beach. She was leaning on the door of the Jeep. I felt like opening the door and throwing her off the car! I couldn’t believe all the crazy thoughts I was thinking. I was yearning for wine! An hour after we reached the cottage, we changed clothes and went to the beach with four bottles of wine. We enjoyed the warm, blue, sea water, the warmth of the sand, and an awesome Argentine Malbec paired with some great empanadas imported from La Rioja, Argentina. The four bottles were empty in no time! We all craved for more. Later, we spent the night on the terrace of the beach cottage savoring the remaining three bottles of wine. That was one trip I would never forget – the trip I fell in love with wine!

July 16, 2011

Why You Need a Wine Aerator

People often ask if a wine aerator is something they really need to have in their kitchen. Well, the choice is up to you. Some people see them as an unnecessary waste of money. I feel, however, that this point of view is a little unfair as wine aerator’s cost very little and make great gifts. They are also versatile and easy to use for decanters or single glasses. So price and convenience factors should not stand in your way. And, if you try just one glass of aerated wine, you will become convinced that you absolutely need to own a wine aerator. For very little effort and cost you can enhance the wine you serve to yourself and to guests exponentially. After tasting aerated wine you will become so sold on the concept that you will be buying aerators for every wedding that comes up. It is a great gift for anyone.

April 26, 2011

A Wine Gift from Chateau Du Pape

A wine gift from the Chateau du Pape is among the most exciting gifts any wine lover can receive. Situated in the extreme southern end of the Rhone Valley, Chateau du Pape is famous the world over based on both location and the quality of it’s wine. The location set them up for success. The wine growing region is located within a stones through of the historic town of Avignon which many people will remember as the place where the Vatican was located for a time when it was moved from Rome. Secondly, the region also seems the best place in the entire world to grow a variety of red wine grapes. Grenache, Syrah and Mouvedre are common household names with wine lovers, but few serious wine drinkers can name many of the other included red wine grapes in these historic blends which include Counoise, Vaccarese, Cinsault and even Terra Noir.

December 31, 2010

Unique Beer Products

Many people are avid beer drinkers. In fact, this is one of the most popular drinks around the world. This is a drink that dates back for many hundreds of years. The beer offerings today, however, are much different that those of the past. Today, there are hundreds of brands and types of beer. You can find tasty organic beer products to sample Bison Brew are one of the best places to find these organic drinks. They are available in unique flavors and compositions. This is one of the things that make it special.

Those who eat organic food also look for beer offerings in this category as well. These are people who want to avoid the chemicals and contaminants of traditional beers. Some people are simply curious as to the organic products that are available. They sample these great offerings and find that there are no other products like them.

September 9, 2010

Premium Coffee From The Bookstore

I love to pass time doing some of my favorite hobbies. I usually do not get the time to do some of my hobbies because of my busy work schedule. But because I have a whole week off, I have decided to dedicate this entire time on focusing on me and doing things that I enjoy. So I mapped out my entire week and I am starting to like what I see. On the first day, I have decided to do some shopping. I am not into clothes shopping, but book shopping. I love spending time browsing through the book store to select some good books to read. Plus I have not had time to read any good books lately. But I can not read a good book without sipping my favorite gourmet coffee. I typically buy gourmet coffee online via my favorite brand, but this week, I’ve decided to get some coffee from the bookstore instead.

August 15, 2010

What She Did Without Her Coffee

Many people are what we dub gourmet flavored coffee fans and junkies. The particular individuals can not last one single day without some caffeine in their system. I am certainly not one of these coffee addicts, yet I truly understand these folks simply because I’m now married to one. My spouse adores premium flavored coffee and she would just about do anything whatsoever to get some excellent premium flavored coffee each day. She claims that she won’t be able to operate accordingly if she does not have her mug of gourmet coffee. And in some way, I have seen this happen because she treated me crazy one day when she did not have her coffee. Furthermore, she brought up with me that if I don’t want her to become moody, then I ought to buy gourmet coffee online on her behalf to ensure that she always has some. Talk about crazy!