My Heart "Wines" For You!

With Christmas and New Years are behind us, it is now time to think about the most ROMANTIC holiday of the year - Valentine's Day!  Are you looking for a nice wine or a wine-related gift to give your sweetheart?  Here are a few on-line stores that offer a huge assortment of wonderful items for that special person in your life.

There are a host of wineries and other gift shops that offer, not only deals on wines for this special day, but offer baskets that pair wines with various cheeses, chocolates and crackers!   Last year, I purchased a set of small bottles of Papapietro Perry wines that were paired with chocolates.  It was a very  nice way to try several PP wines, without going overboard!  It was our own little wine tasting!

During my research for the best wine gifts, I first found that winecountrygiftbaskets.com offers a variety of Valentine's Day wine baskets pairing wine (sparkling or non, red or white) and chocolate, crackers or a combination of both!  Also, for non-wine drinkers, they offer coffee and tea baskets, as well as baskets for breakfast in bed!  Chocolates include Ghirardelli and Godiva, and Oreos are offered too! Some baskets even come with a darling stuffed bear.  Depending on the basket, shipping may be free!

The next site that I found to have wonderful gifts was wine.com.  Through wine.com, you can buy single bottles or multiple bottles of wine, or gift baskets!  Chocolates available include, Godiva, Brix and Ghirardelli.  I found a beautiful decanter, pictured below, whose handle is shaped like a heart!  Also, with your first order of $49 or more, you only pay one cent for shipping!

If you would like a personalized gift, I would suggest redenvelope.com.  I have purchased several things from Red Envelope, and have always been pleased.  This company has unique personalized gifts, such as a personalized wine cellar sign, personalized lazy susan, or an all-inclusive picnic backpack, just to name a few.  Red Envelope also carries wine baskets, as well!

Interested in something really unique?  How about designing your own wine label for your honey?  If you go to personalwine.com, you can design your own wine label and select your own wine!  The web site seems extremely user friendly and production takes approximately ten days.  You can buy individually or in bulk, or you can just buy the labels!  In addition, etchinexpression.com will etch a beautiful design with your special message right onto a wine bottle!  This is a wonderful keepsake that makes a beautiful decoration after the wine has been enjoyed!

There are plenty of other wine-related gift ideas for the wine lover in your life.  A personalized wine tote with a heavy duty corkscrew would be a great idea!  How about a membership to a wine club, it is the gift that keeps on giving!

If you are the creative sort, make your own wine basket tailored to your special person!  Buy a bottle or  two of their favorite wine, crackers, chocolates, a candle, a couple of nice glasses and a red rose for good measure!  Put all the items in a basket, or a large wine box or tote and put a bow on it.  I guarantee that it will be a hit!

Happy Valentine's Day!

(Image from corkjoy.com)

Cheers!
Mary Jo

Wine Word of the Week



Brix - A scale used to measure the sugar content of grapes before harvest or unfermented grape must. This scale can help to estimate the alcohol level in the finished wine.