Great Green Gift - Wine Bottle Plant Nannies

This might be the perfect gift for me... if I ever dared to purchase a houseplant again. I can't say that I have a black thumb because I've never really put forth the required effort to keep a plant alive. There is a reason I live in the desert... and my yard is filled with desert plants. Anyhoo, this nifty little terra cotta spike--along with your empty merlot bottle from last night's dinner--will keep your precious houseplants happy as long as you periodically remember to refill the bottle. Check it out:

Wine Bottle Plant Nanny Stakes
The Plant Nanny is a specially-engineered ceramic stake that waters your plant easily and beneficially. Inserted into moist soil near the root base, the Nanny will release water as the soil begins to dry, so it won't under-water or over-water your plants. A recycled wine bottle serves as the water reservoir and adds a decorative flair to the plant. The water level can be seen through the glass so that you know when it is time to refill the bottle. Each set of four is attractively label-wrapped for gift-giving. $45.95 for 3 packs of 4 stakes (via Amazon)

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Swanky meets Rummage Sale - Wine Enthusiast Scratch 'n' Dent Cellars

If you are in the market for a wine fridge, now just might be the time to buy. If you're a bargain hunter and and don't mind a slightly imperfect model (we've all shopped at TJ Maxx, right?) then check out the Scratch 'n Dent sale at Wine Enthusiast. You can peruse the outlet options via the link below--prices range from $329 to $4495--then call the 800-number and mention the code for scratch 'n dent savings:

What are Scratch 'n' Dent Cellars?
Scratch 'n' Dent Wine Cellars are like-new units that may have some cosmetic flaws but are guaranteed to work perfectly and include the full manufacturer's warranty. Prior to purchase, we'll provide you with a concise description of the cellar's blemishes.
Call a Wine Storage Consultant today and find out about additional savings on Scratch 'n' Dent cellars. Mention code E0309C. 800.377.3330

Via Wine Enthusiast

Cheap Fun Wines' Holiday Gift Guide

Forget about parking... and don't bother standing in line at the mall. I think we've found a little something for everyone on your list.

FOR THE PINOT-PHILE
The Boys Up North

The Boys Up North: Dick Erath and the early Oregon winemakers. Paul Pintarch's stories let you meet and enjoy a cast of characters who have made Oregon and American wine life more flavorful and a lot more fun. Even better, most of these "heroes of Pinot" are still alive and breaking new ground as you read. $15 (via Wine.com)

FOR THE GAME-NIGHT HOST
Wineopoly

Pop the cork off any gathering with WINEOPOLY! Players buy favorite wines, collect bunches of grapes and trade them in for decanters. Sounds easy enough but add Import Taxes and serving faux pas and it becomes a little more difficult and a lot more fun! Each deed back contains wine descriptors and fun facts about each wine. It's all fun and games until you're sent to the Wine Cellar to age-then you're out of the game for three turns. So choose your token (wine bottle, cork, wine glass, cheese, grapes, or a carafe) and advance to CHEERS! Who knows? You may be elected president of the wine club or you may be penalized for serving obtrusively malodorous cheese! $25 (via Wine.com)

FOR AVID PICNICKERS
Picnic Gift Del Mar Two Person Wine & Cheese Tote
A gift for all your wine and cheese lovers to enjoy! The insulated compartment will keep cheese cold or bagels warm. Complete with cutting board and cheese knife. The handle or detachable shoulder strap makes this small lightweight tote perfect for the day hiker or the sunset watcher. Contents: 1 Deluxe Bottle Stopper. 1 Stainless Steel Corkscrew. 1 Cheese Knife. 1 Wooden Cutting Board. 2 Acrylic Wine Glasses. 2 Napkins. $32 (via Amazon)

FOR PORT LOVERS
Warres Otima Port & 8-Piece Godiva Chocolates
Is there a better combination than tawny Port and chocolate? From the renowned Port house Warres, Otima is a 10 year tawny Port made in a lighter, more contemporary style. Beautifully packaged and incredible when paired with Godiva's 8-piece ballotin of assorted creamy milk, white and dark chocolates. $40 (via Wine.com)

FOR ANYONE WHO NEEDS A LITTLE EXTRA PAMPERING
Bamboo Bath Caddy by Umbra
Turn your bath into a spa! Rest the extendable handles of this spa-style wine bath caddy by Umbra on the rims of your tub. Slide the base of your wine-filled glass in the stem slot. Prop your favorite read on the book/magazine rest. Then relax! Features a spot for a small dish or glass and notches to hang bath accessories. A perfect fit for standard-size tubs. Expands up to 38" for larger tubs. Made by Umbra of water-resistant, renewable bamboo. $40 (via Amazon)

FOR THE NOVICE OENOPHILE
Wine Essence Kit
Learn how to taste wine while you are guided through its mysteries and pleasures. The kit is based upon international studies that have identified nine principal components of wine. The principal "essences" --along with their level of concentration and intensity--are what ultimately determine a wine's flavor and character. The kit includes these nine essences--sweet, bitter, sour, smooth, acetic, flowery, fruity, oak and tannin--individually bottled and carefully prepared so that the suggested dilution corresponds to their concentration in wine. The more you use the kit, the better you'll be able to identify the separate tastes in wine and understand the countless ways in which they can be blended. Kit also includes, a detailed instruction booklet, all necessary labels and a wine tasting glass. $40 (via Wine Enthusiast)

FOR YOUR BOOKISH BUDDIES
3 Bottle Wine Rack Bookend
One of your passions (books) supported by another (wine)--it only makes sense! Three wine bottles on each wrought iron bookend provide enough weight to prevent sliding, and more than enough style to enhance your shelves. Will fit standard Bordeaux 750mL size bottles. Size 10"H x 10"W x 5-1/2"D. $40 (via Wine Enthusiast)

FOR THE GADGET GURU
Picnic Time Wine Accessories Boxed Set
Eight-piece wooden box set includes lever-style cork-pull, two bottle stoppers, drip ring, foil cutter, pourer/stopper, thermometer, and extra cork-pull. $40 (via Amazon)

FOR THE SKI BUFF
RECYCLED SKI WINE RACK
You don't have to be a wine connoisseur or an expert skier to appreciate this innovative way to display your favorite vino. The bottles are stored on their sides to properly maintain the wine's integrity, while the original materials (recycled skis) adds a touch of fun and excitement. Made in Millbury, MA. $50 (via Uncommon Goods)

FOR THE WORLD TRAVELER
Spanish Paella & Wine Gift Set
The heart and soul of Spanish cuisine is fragrant paella. Our gift set starts you off with the essentials: a traditional steel paella pan, imported saffron (the world's most expensive spice), pimenton (a smoky paprika) and paella rice which naturally absorbs all of these wonderful spices. Campo Viejo Rioja Reserva, from Spain's most prestigious wine region, delivers complex, spicy flavors that complement the exceptional flavors of Spanish paella. Add a special touch by serving your paella on the festive tapas plates. $70 (via Wine.com)

FOR THE HOME CHEF
Dining Delights Deluxe
We've cooked up the ideal bonus pack with a delicious assortment of wines from Chile, Australia, California, and Italy along with an award-winning, beautifully illustrated cookbook. If cooking and entertaining are on your list - you'll love getting six wines and the 'I Love to Cook' book all at once. The wines won't last long, but the recipes will make life easy and delicious for a long time to come. The book alone sells for $35 so you are getting a tremendous value. Perfect for any epicure on your gift list too! $100 (via MyWinesDirect)

FOR THE HOSTESS WITH THE MOSTEST (OR THE FRIEND WHO HAS EVERYTHING)
WineDown Accessories RoJaus Grapevine Decanter
The RoJaus Grapevine decanter from WineDown Accessories is the first and probably only touchless decanter on the market. The artistic form is a conversation piece in itself, but the graceful way the decanter aerates, chills and dispenses wine is phenominal. As wine is poured over the wine bubble, the flavors and aromas are released. Sediment and cork particles are trapped in a stainless steel filter allowing only perfectly aerated wine to be dispensed into your favorite stem. Information about customizing the decanter is included with your purchase. $180 (via Amazon)

Be a Good Guest... Don't Go Empty Handed

With the holiday season upon us, it is time to start thinking about gift giving... NO, I don't mean Christmas gifts--not quite yet, anyway-- I'm talking about the more personal variety that you need all year long... but with frightening frequency during the holiday shuffle: the hostess gift. Be the beacon of fine manners and proper etiquette that your mother taught you to be and show your appreciation with wine and accessories. We know times are tight so we're offering some great ideas for less than $20.

WINELINES: The Wine Party Glass Tags$10
Can't find your chianti? Misplaced your merlot? Don't fret. Wine Lines are here to save the soiree! Wine Lines are soft, flexible, stretchable, washable synthetic rubber. Easy to slip onto a wineglass, and unobtrusive once in place. Twelve different color tags make for a perfect party pack. Each tag has a comment that is great fun to break the ice. Which one will you claim as your own? overpriced, complex, immature, rich, formidable, earthy, supple, opulent, ripe, volatile, sturdy and vintage. (via Amazon)

WINE CORK PLACE CARD HOLDERS- SET OF 8 $12
Put a cork in seating arrangement chaos with these clever wine cork place card holders. Looking every bit like the real thing, the resin corks feature a discreet card slot and a flat base to stay put long after the last bottle of wine is finished. The set of eight pieces makes the perfect gift for wine enthusiasts and harried hostesses.(via Uncommon Goods)

SONOMA COUNTY WINEGRAPE CHOCOLATES $15
16 Premium chocolate Truffles infused with wine grapes from Sonoma County's finest grape growing regions. Includes 4 of each: Russian River Pinot Noir Truffle, Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Truffle, Knights Valley Merlot Truffle and Chalk Hill Chardonnay Truffle. (available via the link above or at your local Cost Plus World Market)

THE WINE TASTING AND PARTY KIT: Everything You Need to Host a Fun & Easy Wine Tasting Party at Home $17
Whether it's a casual afternoon in the backyard or a more formal soiree, a wine tasting party is fun and educational for everyone from novices to sophisticated sippers. Within this all-inclusive kit are the elements to be a terrific host, including cloth wine bottle covers, tasting score pads, a cheat sheet, glass markers, and an entertaining book that introduces you to the ins and outs of tasting wine in a comfortable, festive, social setting your own home. (via Amazon)

WINE SMARTS $17
Do you know the difference between a Barbera and a Burgundy? Would you like to read wine lists with more confidence? Welcome to Wine Smarts - the thinking person's drink game. Designed as both a stand alone game and a stylish coffee table accessory, our Wine Smarts game comes complete with 100 Wine Smarts question and answer cards with interesting and useful wine facts to expand your wine knowlege, a 12-page wine tips guide (including wine tasting techniques, how to throw wine tasting parties, and more), and a score pad. Makes a great gift for a beginner or a wine connoisseur alike! (via Amazon)

MULLING SPICES (set of 2) $18
Over the centuries wassail, a warm mulled drink consisting of ale, cider, wine or fruit juice flavored with citrus and spices, has been enjoyed at the onset of Winter. The word comes from an old Norwegian toast, "Ves heill!" meaning "Be in good health!" Simmer this beautifully balanced mixture of cinnamon, orange zest, clove and allspice with cider or red wine for an old-fashioned flavor and heady aroma that personifies the spirit of the holidays. 6 oz., packed in an airtight tin. (via Williams-Sonoma)

You'll be ready for any party with one of these great gifts... and a bottle of good (cheap) wine of course.

Give Cheap Wine a Little Swank

With the holiday season fast approaching, 'tis the season of merry making and convivial gathering. Here are two stunning leather carriers from QOOQ to make even your cheapest wine picks look like something special.

The Litron pictured above earns the official swanky title because it comes in over the $20 range. But not by much... for about $32 you have a lovely gift that your hosts can actually use for years to come. They won't even notice the 2-buck Chuck inside.

And the Ursula bag you'll want for your own trips to the market, but it is so cheap you'll be buying one for all of your friends. It is constructed of the same fine leather as the Litron, but cut in concentric circles so that it collapses into a flat disc for storage. $12 -$15

via QOOQ Edition

Techie Wine Bottles Using Digital Thermometers

If there is one thing that still stresses me out about buying wine, it is that great unknown: Has my bottle been cooked en route? Finally, the winemakers are covering their tushies and finding new ways to let you know if your wine experienced sub-optimal temps during its long journey to you. Check out this bit, courtesy of Gizmodo:

You may have paid $100 for that fancy Cab, but little did you know, its tannins have been seared crispy like hashbrowns in a semi left to sit in the sun. So just for you, dear learned consumer, wine makers are fighting back with a new digital thermometer that can tell buyers whether or not the bottle fell outside its ideal temperature after shipping from the vineyard.

The catch is that these thermometers run about $1.60 apiece. Obviously intended for better wines, it's still tough to swallow that all that many vineyards will adopt the technology in an era when traditional corks are dying to cheaper screw tops and rubber stoppers. But hey, who are we to question progress? [AP] By Mark Wilson

Via Gizmodo

Decanter... or Glass... or Both...

Or maybe it is a lovely piece of art. I think it might be a bit of all three. Another great gift idea from MoMA:

A unique gift for the wine enthusiast, this bottle with a wine glass inside is meticulously hand crafted and mouth blown from a single piece of glass, making no two identical. $125

Wine 101 - Dd is for Decanting

Well it isn't exactly Shakespeare, but it does present two interesting topics for exploration: What is the difference between DECANTING and AERATING? And why are they important?

The decision to decant a wine is purely personal, of course. But if you've ever opened an aged wine, say an old cabernet cauvignon that you've been saving... Well, when you remove it from the cellar - or from the back of a closet if you're a city dweller - you may notice a proliferation of what looks like dark crust on the inside of the bottle. That is sediment. Bits of particles that have separated over time. So if you don't want those bits to end up between your teeth or stuck to your tongue when you taste, you can ever-so-gently pour the juice into a decanter for serving and temporary storage.

Aerating, on the other hand, is the process of adding air to an otherwise "tight" wine to allow it to soften and open up a bit. Particularly useful for softening structured, tannic, big wines such as cabernet sauvignon, syrah, merlot and most big Italian reds, it is not a recommended practice for delicate older wines such as aged Burgundian pinot noir.

There are a number of methods and tools for aerating wine. If you are enjoying a glass alone, you may not want to aerate the entire bottle. In that case, I would grab the best tasting glass you own and pour an ounce or two into the glass and let it sit for a few minutes. If you're sharing with a large group, you have a number of options. You can gently pour the entire bottle into a decanter made especially for aerating or you can use a bottle top aerator which is just a tool that affixes to the top of a wine bottle (or sometimes into the neck of a decanter) that provides more air exposure for the wine.

Of course these two terms are not mutually exclusive. You may need to remove sediment and aerate. Rest assured, there are accessories that cover all the bases. Here are some of our favorites:

Selection Decanting Pourer and Aerator $20
Attaches to bottle, oxygenates wine during pouring

Magnifico Decanter with Punt $25
Inexpensive, elegant design and diswasher safe

Bormioli Esperienze Decanter $35
Made from lead-free crystal, decanter with concentric rings that provide aeration

Vivid Wine Decanter & Aerating Funnel Set $70
Lead-free crystal, easy to pour, includes funnel to filter sediment

Drip Ruff - Renaissance Fashion Meets Function for Your Bottle

I first saw this drip catcher on NOTCOT, but the following is excerpted from Red Dot Design Awards:

Drip Ruff's design is based on a honeycomb structure that is shaped into a 360-degree ring. It is made entirely from Indian paper - an absorbent material normally used in traditional Chinese painting. The folding method used in its construction provides the elasticity required to "grip" the neck of a bottle. Drip Ruff is disposable after use, and the paper used is recyclable, which makes it environmentally friendly, hygienic and convenient to use.

Obviously depending on price and availability, these could be really nifty to have on hand when you are hosting a dinner party or wine tasting and lots paws will be handling your bottles. Of course, if you're looking for a re-usable alternative check out this Drip Stop Ring

Recycled Windshield Wine Glasses

Check out these fantastic and green (literally) stemless wine glasses from Uncommon Goods:

Handmade in Colombia of recycled glass from old car windows, these substantial stemless wine glasses will add an interesting twist to any glass of wine. Sturdy and strong, the thick glass has a slight green hue from the tint originally added to lessen the sun's glare. Beautiful and interesting, these stemless wine glasses are an uncommon take on a stylish design. Each is one of a kind and will vary. Sold as a set of 2.

Charming and stylish for only $22. And they are dishwasher safe.

Image and content via Uncommon Goods

La Grande Dame by Riva Collection

I'd like to tell you that this was my anniverary present...and that we enjoyed it while drifting off the coast of Cap-Ferrat. Alas, I would be hallucinating. But it is nice to dream. For the Champagne lover with impeccable taste and very deep pockets, check out the Veuve Clicquot Riva Collection, courtesy of Acquire:

Veuve Clicquot and luxury yacht builder, Riva, are collaborating on a stunning collection of products called "La Grande Dame". The collection features two products -- The Cruiser Collection which is a made to measure piece and comes with 4 bottles of La Grande Dame, 2 magnums of La Grande Dame 88, 6 Riedel Champagne Flutes, 6 water tumblers, plates, table mats, and cutlery. The second item is their "Cruiser Bag" which is a limited edition piece (Only 300 made) and includes a bottle of La Grande Dame 88 and two champagne flutes.

Via Acquire

Pour on - Porrón Wine Pitcher

If you are a fan of Spanish wine (and food, and culture), you must check out this fantastic pitcher from La Tienda. It is only $19.95, which makes it a great hostess gift, guaranteed to liven even the dullest gathering. I wouldn't start with a priorat. . . but maybe a lovely albarino. . .

A porrón is a sure-fire way to have fun at a summer party. See if you and your guests can master the technique of delivering a thin stream of wine into your mouth with nary a drop lost!
You begin by bringing the traditional glass wine pitcher very close to your open mouth and slowly tilting the pitcher so the spout points towards your teeth. Once the wine begins to flow, you gradually pull the porrón away from your face while looking up. When you have had your fill, lower the porrón back close to your mouth before tilting it back to stop the flow. It never touches your lips as you pass the porrón to your adventurous friend!
Easy? Once you get the hang of it. Most people fill the pitcher with regular white or red wine, but we find that sparkling cava fills the bill nicely, and the near misses are not quite so obvious.

Give the Porrón Pitcher a try - it's a great conversation piece and a lot of fun.

Image and content via La Tienda - The Best of Spain in America
http://www.tienda.com

To Market, To Market - Bread & Wine Bag

I love it and I hate it . . . where to begin?
I LOVE the idea of a bread and wine bag to take to the market. It is very laid-back-European and of course, appeals to my inner conservationist. I've often wondered how I could keep my wine bottle(s) from crushing delicate produce in my floppy, pocket-less canvas satchel. This leather version from Rebecca Minkoff is an adorable solution.

HOWEVER, I'm disinclined to pay $185 for a leather bag that will doubtless encounter all manner of leaks, spills, and sweaty refrigerated foods. How about a cheap, fun canvas or burlap version? Way more my speed. I don't think you need to spend a fortune to conserve. Oxymoron, anyone? These days being "green" is often synonymous with spending green.

That said, if you have the disposable income, by all means splurge. And then keep coming back to us for cheap, fun picks to fill the wine pocket.

Via NOTCOT

Drinking from a Drop - Fubiz™

Check out this crazy cool carafe. Definitely not the most practical for wine--the base is only about 10cm--but it might work for sake or for a romantic dinner for two. The water droplet design is breathtaking. And I love that the cup, carafe and tray are a fluid, self-contained unit. Check out more photos after the jump.

Via Fubiz