Last Minute Gifts for Wine Lovers and Readers

For novice to connoisseur, gifts to whet the palate

Dec 21, 2024

Wine Books

Essential Reading

Beginner

The 24-Hour Wine Expert: When the daughter of legendary wine expert Jancis Robinson asked for wine guidance suitable for her non-expert friends, this compact manual was born. All the basics, none of the fluff - the perfect primer for everyone from Millennials to mature learners.

Enthusiast

On California: From Napa to Nebbiolo… Wine Tales from the Golden State: You can’t go wrong with any book from the Académie du Vin Wine Library. Every book they publish is a pleasure to hold and a feast for the eyes. But don’t think this is just some coffee table book. These are serious reads and make for delicious reading. On California is a collection of influential writings on California wine from the last 50 years stretching from the influence of seismic activity on Napa and Sonoma to an excerpt from Sideways, the film that made everyone ditch merlot for pinot.

Connoisseur

Wine Grapes, Jancis Robinson, Julia Harding and José Vouillamoz: If ever there was a labor of love for the grapes themselves, this book is surely it. Meticulously researched with cutting edge DNA analysis, this book chronicles the history, etymology, synonyms, and growing behaviors of over 1,400 distinct grape varietals. Learn why Cot from France became Malbec in South America and why we should probably all be calling Grenache, Garnacha, as they do in Spain, the most likely place of its birth.

You like your wine reading with a side of history…

I ran into a neighbor out walking his French bulldog last summer and he told me he was planning a wine and war history road trip through France. Though these two things were not related – he and his wife would be travelling to war sites from the two world wars and separately, visiting Burgundy – I immediately ran home to grab these two books off my shelf. Far from doorstoppers, these breezy histories are just as good for the serious buffs as for those who like their Ken Burns with a side of Saint-Émilion.

Wine & War: The French, the Nazis, and the Battle for France’s Greatest Treasures, Don Kladstrup, Petie Kladstrup: False walls, daring escapes, collaboration and resistance. This is WWII through the eyes of five prominent French wine families as they struggle to preserve their heritage from the plunder of the Nazi invaders.

Widow Clicquot: The Story of a Champagne Empire and the Woman Who Ruled It, Tilar J. Mazzeo: A perfect read for those who prefer a bit of narrative to a reference manual for wine. Most of us identify Veuve Clicquot champagne with the trademark orange label as the epitome of a glamorous lifestyle. Far from having origins as a party wine, Mazzeo details the fascinating story of a young widow during the French Revolution who single handedly redefined not only how champagne is still made to this day but how it is marketed.

For the armchair traveller who dreams of grapes less crushed…

Godforsaken Grapes, Jason Wilson: Wilson takes us on the memoir/travel writer’s version of Wine Grapes (a book to which he owes a debt). He relishes the obscure from throwing back chasselas for breakfast in Zurich to helping us understand the whims of sommeliers in shaping our taste for everything from Gruner Vetliner (or groo-vee, as he calls it) to the painfully trendy orange wines of Georgia.

South of Somewhere, Robert V. Camuto Anyone who has travelled to Italy knows that the South and the North can feel as if they are part of different continents. Robert Camuto takes us to the hidden villages and vineyards of the South, showcasing a younger generation who are taking the reins, preserving a heritage while shining a light on an Italian wine and food culture beyond Tuscany and Piedmont. Along the way he meets some great characters and shares many a delicious meal. We the reader are along for the ride, and every delicious taste. It will make you think twice about reaching for the same old Chianti next time you are wine shopping, and perhaps pause to ask your shop owner if they have any Taurasi they might recommend?

The Wine Club you want to be a part of…

Everyone

Californiavore – 20% off annual paid subscription from now till December 31^st. If you would like to meet winemakers, discover cool new wines, and learn bit on the way, consider becoming a paid subscriber to Californiavore. 2025 will see the launch of virtual wine tastings (not just for COVID times!) to bring winemakers and their wines direct to your house. Paid subscribers will have access to all events (purchasing the wine not included). Stay tuned for our first event coming in March 2025 with independent Sonoma winemakers, Rob and Laura Schermeister, the young, passionate couple behind Schermeister Wines. Their 2022 Viognier was one of my top bottles of the year. Looking forward to introducing everyone to this dynamic couple and their fantastic wines! $40 for 12 months (discounted from $50 - offer good through December 31st for annual subscriptions)

Beginner

Wine for Normal People – I may not be a neophyte, but I still enjoy listening to Elizabeth Schneiders breezy, informative podcast where she does everything from deep dives into specific regions, like Rioja, or breaking down all you need to know about Sauvignon Blanc. Great for those who wish they could have a wine whisperer in their Airpods while browsing the aisles Total Wine. Gift a membership subscription starting from $2 per month

Enthusiast

Everyday Drinking with Jason Wilson – One of the great parts of Substack is how accessible it makes writing by your favorite authors. This means I get Jason Wilson’s offbeat wine recommendations and latest journeys to far flung wine regions in my inbox twice a week. Also a great add-on to Godforsaken Grapes (see above). For those who like a dose of travel with your wine and not afraid to challenge the orthodoxy. Gift subscriptions $50 for a year

Connoisseur

JancisRobinson.com – Diving into this website is like having a hundred wine books at the tap of your fingertips on a keypad. With an elite team of some of the best wine writers working today, no granite or schist rock is left unturned in their reporting. Best for those who like to go down rabbit holes or want reliable wine ratings for what to cellar and when best to drink what’s already there. Gift subscriptions from $124

Stoppers and Showstoppers

Champagne Stopper: If a fear of your bubbles going flat is preventing you from enjoying sparkling wine more often, a super basic stopper can solve that. Stuff this stopper in a stocking with a bottle of Carboniste or Franciacorta then make a resolution to not leave the bubbles just for special occasions. $8.99 for a stainless steel champagne stopper

Showstopper Decanter: If, like our family, you do Secret Santa instead of buying presents for everyone, you might be inclined to up your budget to a special decanter. Riedel makes a variety of fantastic shapes. The Cornetto Fatto A Mano is at the lower end of the price range of their premium decanters while still delivering an elegant curved shape just out of the ordinary. If an everyday decanter is more your speed, or you just need one for a special bottle you plan to open on the holidays, their Cabernet decanter will do the trick. From $44 for the Cabernet Decanter, $375.99 for the Cornetto Fatto a Mano

Coravin By-the-glass wine saver: Do you think you might enjoy wine more often or drink less but drink better if you weren’t worried about how you are going to finish a bottle? Coravin is the answer. This unique wine storage system pumps argon glass through a needle into the bottle while extracting your glass of wine. The argon is heavier than oxygen so it form a protective layer in the bottle for the wine. Do as many restaurants do these days and use it as an excuse to pour a single glass from a great bottle, savouring the bottle over months instead of all at once. This is also a handy tool for anyone who has one member of a household not drinking, allowing the other member to still enjoy a bit of wine without the waste. $186 at the time of writing