California Red Wine Gift Suggestions

May 27, 2009 | By winesnifter In Giving Wine As A Gift | Comments(0)
Photo of a bottle of Recession Wines in front ...
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Although California has an outstanding reputation for fine white wines, don’t overlook some of it’s red wine offerings.  The climate, soil conditions and proximity to water make much of California highly suitable to growing wine grapes.  There are three very nice red wines that are produced in California that you should consider when giving a gift of California wine.

Merlot is a thin-skinned red grape that originated in Italy in the early 19th century.  California has dedicated well over 50,000 acres to growing the Merlot grape varietal.  For many years, Merlots were primarily used as a blending wine but the proper vintage can be enjoyable on it’s own.

Some of the highest quality Merlot grapes are grown in California, mainly in the Sonoma and Napa Valley wine regions.  The excellent soil conditions in those areas help to produce Merlots that are delicious stand alone wines.  The variety in soils can produce Merlots that range from a smooth, velvety wine to wines that are more similar in composition to Cabernet Sauvignon.

Merlots are low in tannin which creates a smooth, easy-to-drink wine that has a low acidity level.  This is due partially to the thin skin of the grape as well as to it’s earlier ripening stage.  It lends itself to a huge variety of flavors such as black cherry, plum and current as well as tangier notes like bay leaf and bell peppers.

Merlot tends to be less intense than other red wines and so is easier to pair with different food combinations.  It is worth noting that Merlot should be served slightly colder than other red wines.  Room temperatures bring out the best in other reds but Merlots can develop unpleasant notes if it is allowed to get too warm.  Chilling for just a brief time will help to keep this wine at it’s best.

Another red wine that is rising in popularity recently is the Pinot Noir.  Traditionally this varietal is difficult to grow consistently as it is delicate and mutates easily.  This can result in undesirable qualities in the wine produced from these grapes.  This difficulty contributes to the somewhat higher prices of fine vintages of Pinot Noir but the quality is well worth spending a bit more.

Pinot Noir wines are lighter in color than many other red wines and are one of the most delicately flavored reds.  An aromatic wine, you will often find wines with notes of cherries, berries, spices and even violets.  Due to it’s delicate flavor, you will want to pair Pinot Noir with less spicy foods so that the flavor of the wine will not be covered.

Another red wine produced in California that makes a lovely wine gift is the Cabernet Sauvignon.  Because the demand is so high, some vintages can be a little on the expensive side but if you search you should find a reasonable California vintage.  This red wine ages very well, developing a rich complexity and wide depth of flavors.  Although it may cost a bit more, this wine will make a very impressive gift.

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French Wines Are a Perfect Gift Choice

May 26, 2009 | By winesnifter In Giving Wine As A Gift | Comments(1)
Wine From Bourne, France
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Any gift giving occasion is suitable for a gift of wine.  With the wide variety of types and flavors of wines available, there is one suitable for almost every person on your gift list.  It also can simplify your life and save you a lot of time since the majority of your shopping can be done in one store.  Most wine shops will also offer wine gift bags so you can present your gifts in a festive way.

When choosing a wine gift, consider giving a bottle of French wine.  This is always well-received as French wines have long been regarded as the epitome of fine wine.  Even most of the common names for types of wines originate in France such as burgundy and champagne so you can see that the French have a rich history in the wine world.

Hundreds of years ago, the peasants of France made wine to drink as the water of the time was not palatable.  It wasn’t until after the Middle Ages that wine began to interest the upper classes.  As the nobles began to enjoy wines, more research and experimentation was done with grape varieties and fermentation processes.  In France, wine making has now been elevated to an art form.

The rich, fertile soil conditions in many parts of France as well as climate variations make the country an ideal environment for wine production.  There are thirteen different regions that produce an almost infinite assortment of fine wines.  Soil differences, proximity to water and weather conditions also play a part. in good wine creation.

French wines vary in quality and price, just like any other wines.  There are common brands of white, red and burgundy wines to be found in any wine shop.  For a truly spectacular gift, you may want to take the time to search for a rarer vintage.  There are many wine sellers available online.  If you have an idea of what kind of wine you would like to purchase, you can just do a search for that type and see what comes up.

Wine from France has long been perceived as being a cut above other wines.  Wine connoisseurs will often say that France makes the ultimate in fine wines and that no other wines come close.  Whether the difference is in the growing or the production is hotly debated but experts agree that there is a difference in fine French wines versus other wines. 

One visible difference between French wines and that of other countries is in the label.  Most other wines have labels that tell you what the ingredients are of the wine.  France, however, has left their labels the same for generations.  French wines are still labeled with the location of the winery which adds a touch of romance for many.

For a distinctive wine gift, you cannot go wrong with a bottle of French wine.  Even if you stick to a budget and find an inexpensive wine, many will think it is more valuable because it is from France.
Any wine lover will appreciate the thoughtfulness of such a gift. 

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Filed under: Giving Wine As A Gift