The Wine Lover's Wish List
My birthday is coming up on the 28th. I know that many of you are scratching your heads, and wondering just what to get me. Sure, you say to yourself, he doesn't have every wine ever made, but he sure has tasted them.
While I thank you for your high opinion of my expertise, I haven't actually tasted every wine, just a whole lot of them. So what then do you buy for a wine aficionado who may be a bit jaded around the edges? What follows is my personal wish list, in several categories and price ranges. Consider this to be my birthday registry, and feel free to drop me a line for details on where to send my loot.
Corkscrews
There are some pretty neat corkscrews out there. The original Screwpull Leverpull is still the one I use everyday. I already have one, so you can save your $60.
In hand held "waiter style" corkscrews there is the exquisitely expensive Laguiole line. Starting at a mere $45, the top of the line model will set you back as much as $200. They even make a model with a "Clef du Vin" built in. This is the latest gimick in wine, stick the Clef in a glass of wine and it is said to magically improve the wine. I will be happy to submit a report on how effective it is, if anyone wants to pop for it.
Stemware
You can never have too much stemware, at least if you have a place to put it. But never fret, if there is one thing you can be certain of, glass breaks, so there is always a chance for new stemware in the future.
The latest thing in stemware is... no stems. The ever intrepid folks at Riedel have introduced what they call the O collection. Being stemless the glass is very hard to knock over, wobbling and not falling down, as the case may be. Typical of Riedel the glasses come in many subtly different shapes, each purportedly designed to enhance a specific type of wine. At $20 a pair these are well priced compared to most things on my list. Don't forget though that I need 10... of each.
Let me just throw in here another plug for the folks at Ravenscroft Crystal. They make a high quality line of stemware and decanters at decent prices. I have no connection with them, so feel free to get me a decanter or two from them.
Speaking of decanters. A decanter drying stand is well worth having, makes a great gift, and only costs $20 or so. Getting your decanters dry and spot free is a task and a half, ask anyone - btw, distilled water can help.
Wine Storage
I already have a pair of, and recommend, Eurocave refrigerated cellars. From $1500 and up, these are a must for anyone tight on space that wants to age their wine for decades. So once again I have saved you a bundle by buying my own toys. You will all just have to try harder.
Wine
For those of you in states that can ship me wine, be assured that I will accept liquid treats.
There are a few wines that are so legendary and so rare, that their mere presence is announced in whispers, lest they have to share it with too many people.
Chief among these wines for me is Quinta do Noval Nacional Port. I have actually never had a chance to try it. Of the other top wines there are any number of vintages I have never tried, but I have never tasted a Nacional from any year.
Cost has a little to do with it. The 2003 vintage, which will not be ready to drink for decades, gets upwards from $750. The well regarded 1963 vintage goes for $2000 or more, if you can even find a bottle. This is compared with $100 a bottle for Quinta do Noval's regular 1963 Vintage Port.
There is a store in California that lists a bottle of the 1934 for $3,000. It would be rude for me not to invite you to taste it after you spend that much on me, so consider it a standing invitation that I will cook one of my famous 7 course meals around this ultimate quaff.
-------
Ok, so most of you won't be sending me a $3000 bottle of wine, or even a $200 corkscrew for my birthday, but if you remember, and you have a chance, raise a toast to me. I intend to toast to all you, repeatedly.
Oh, and for those wondering how many birthdays this is for me... I usually lie and say 100 - I look pretty good for my age, no?
While I thank you for your high opinion of my expertise, I haven't actually tasted every wine, just a whole lot of them. So what then do you buy for a wine aficionado who may be a bit jaded around the edges? What follows is my personal wish list, in several categories and price ranges. Consider this to be my birthday registry, and feel free to drop me a line for details on where to send my loot.
Corkscrews
There are some pretty neat corkscrews out there. The original Screwpull Leverpull is still the one I use everyday. I already have one, so you can save your $60.
In hand held "waiter style" corkscrews there is the exquisitely expensive Laguiole line. Starting at a mere $45, the top of the line model will set you back as much as $200. They even make a model with a "Clef du Vin" built in. This is the latest gimick in wine, stick the Clef in a glass of wine and it is said to magically improve the wine. I will be happy to submit a report on how effective it is, if anyone wants to pop for it.
Stemware
You can never have too much stemware, at least if you have a place to put it. But never fret, if there is one thing you can be certain of, glass breaks, so there is always a chance for new stemware in the future.
The latest thing in stemware is... no stems. The ever intrepid folks at Riedel have introduced what they call the O collection. Being stemless the glass is very hard to knock over, wobbling and not falling down, as the case may be. Typical of Riedel the glasses come in many subtly different shapes, each purportedly designed to enhance a specific type of wine. At $20 a pair these are well priced compared to most things on my list. Don't forget though that I need 10... of each.
Let me just throw in here another plug for the folks at Ravenscroft Crystal. They make a high quality line of stemware and decanters at decent prices. I have no connection with them, so feel free to get me a decanter or two from them.
Speaking of decanters. A decanter drying stand is well worth having, makes a great gift, and only costs $20 or so. Getting your decanters dry and spot free is a task and a half, ask anyone - btw, distilled water can help.
Wine Storage
I already have a pair of, and recommend, Eurocave refrigerated cellars. From $1500 and up, these are a must for anyone tight on space that wants to age their wine for decades. So once again I have saved you a bundle by buying my own toys. You will all just have to try harder.
Wine
For those of you in states that can ship me wine, be assured that I will accept liquid treats.
There are a few wines that are so legendary and so rare, that their mere presence is announced in whispers, lest they have to share it with too many people.
Chief among these wines for me is Quinta do Noval Nacional Port. I have actually never had a chance to try it. Of the other top wines there are any number of vintages I have never tried, but I have never tasted a Nacional from any year.
Cost has a little to do with it. The 2003 vintage, which will not be ready to drink for decades, gets upwards from $750. The well regarded 1963 vintage goes for $2000 or more, if you can even find a bottle. This is compared with $100 a bottle for Quinta do Noval's regular 1963 Vintage Port.
There is a store in California that lists a bottle of the 1934 for $3,000. It would be rude for me not to invite you to taste it after you spend that much on me, so consider it a standing invitation that I will cook one of my famous 7 course meals around this ultimate quaff.
-------
Ok, so most of you won't be sending me a $3000 bottle of wine, or even a $200 corkscrew for my birthday, but if you remember, and you have a chance, raise a toast to me. I intend to toast to all you, repeatedly.
Oh, and for those wondering how many birthdays this is for me... I usually lie and say 100 - I look pretty good for my age, no?
posted by Wineguy at 4:20 PM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home