‘Tis the season and therefore ‘tis the annual gift guide. And with the holiday madness in full swing, here are some of my top gift ideas to make all your wine lovers happy.

City Wine Tours
I love to receive gifts that are experiences — something fun to do with family and friends. City Wine Tours, lives up to their motto of “making learning about wine as fun as drinking it!” A friendly team of wine experts will teach you how to taste, pair and buy wine in a relaxed atmosphere. In NYC, you can choose between three locations: Soho, West Village, or Upper West Side.
The two-hour tour includes visits to two restaurants where you will learn about and taste six pre-selected wines that are paired with snacks. Gift cards can be purchased online at citywinetours.com. Wine tours are also available in Boston and Philadelphia.

**Listening attentively to Sara, our City Wine Tours guide.**

**Arancini di Risi, Italian Rice Balls were paired with Henry Varnay Brut Blanc de Blancs, a delicous French sparkling wine made from 100% Chardonnay.**

Learn About Wine
Here’s another great gift experience. Did you know that I got my start in the wine business as a result of six friends chipping in and buying me the Sommelier Society’s wine program?
Treat your friends to a single class or a series of wine classes — perfect for those who want to make a profession out of wine or to simply feel more comfortable navigating their way around a wine list.
For more information, check out my recent article on the top ten places in NYC to learn about wine — some offer online classes too.

Books
The Most Spectacular Restaurant in the World - The Twin Towers, Windows on the World, and the Rebirth of New York. Author Tom Roston gives readers a behind the scenes look at this incredible restaurant and the people behind it, like Joe Baum, the famous restauranteur and Kevin Zraly, founder of the Windows on the World Wine School. The book provides an in-depth historical background of the city during that time period (1973 - 2001), and the long-term effects of the tragedy of 9/11. A sad but a compelling read.
Natural Wine for the People: What It Is, Where to Find it, How to Love It. Wine writer Alice Feiring’s latest book takes you deep into the world of natural wine where nothing is added and nothing is taken away during the winemaking process. Topics covered in the book include organic viticulture, climate change and its impact on the future of winemaking, and, in her words, “going back to the dirt and remembering what’s important in life.” (wine4food.com).

Wine Tote Gift Bag.
Harry Traulsen is ‘Old Man Artist’ and he started the brand in 2012 with a line of unique, hand-drawn greeting cards. Soon after, he expanded his offerings to canvas totes, including a line of charming wine tote carriers. His themes are whimsical and witty caricatures of wine glasses, wine bottles, tea and coffee cups, and urban architecture.
Harry says that he is “inspired by everyday life on the streets and in the cafés of New York City. He is rarely without a pen to capture images of wine, coffee and the architectural style of urban housing.” Wine totes $9.99 on Old Man Artist.
Add Wine
To make your wine tote gift even more spectacular, fill it with a delicious bottle of Cabernet Sauvignon from Paso Robles, one of the fastest growing wine regions in the US.
Jerry Lohr is one of the area’s pioneers who planted vineyards of mostly Bordeaux varietals (particularly Cabernet) in the early 1980s. The J. Lohr 2017 Pure Paso ($27) is a beautiful and balanced blend of 70.5% Cabernet Sauvignon, 26.5% Petite Syrah, 2% Merlot, .5% Petit Verdot, and .5% Malbec. Another great choice is the J. Lohr Signature 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon ($86), a hearty, luscious blend that includes 11% Malbec.
Add a Trip to Paso Robles
And while you’re at it, why not include airplane tickets to San Luis Obispo (a 30 minute drive from the booming wine region of Paso Robles) along with a hotel reservation? The Piccolo Inn is Paso Robles’s newest downtown boutique hotel, a chic spot with the only rooftop bar in town.
Beware: Friends and family sent to this stunning wine region may never come back!

Champagne
Who wouldn’t be happy, at any time of the year, to receive a beautiful bottle of fine Champagne? But with New Year’s Eve just around the corner, it’s an especially thoughtful gift.
The top Champagne houses have been producing this elegant beverage for centuries and it makes a fabulous gift, whether for your colleagues, friends, or family. “Wine drinkers turn to their favorite Champagne houses because they are known quotients, delivering a house style that satisfies,” says wine writer Courtney Schiessl (Forbes.com).
Below are eight Wine Chef favorites, in order of price, from well-known houses, ranging from $42 to $160. (And stay tuned for an upcoming article on small, grower-producer Champagnes).
Henriot Brut Souverain ($40). This beautifully crafted Champagne has a trifecta of fullness, freshness, and finesse, and, at under $50, is a great value.
Champagne Collet Brut Art Deco ($42). Champagne Collet has received high scores from a number of critics who laud its rich, full-bodied texture, complex flavors and invigorating acidity. This 40/40/20 blend of Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Pinot Meunier is a steal at just over $40, showing lots of juicy fruit and heady brioche notes.
Drappier Brut Nature Rosé ($59). If you’re looking for a low sugar Champagne, Drappier makes a lovely Brut Nature rosé, meaning no sugar has been added — the driest of all Champagne styles. This wine has a wonderful freshness and savory complexity. I suggest pairing it with food, as it can go wonderfully with a complete meal.
Palmer & Co Brut NV ($61). Made by a cooperative winery that sources grapes from many Premier and Grand Cru vineyards, this Brut NV has very fine bubbles with just the right amount of buttery brioche aromas. On the palate, it delivers a bright, mouthwatering acidity. Tasted alongside another large Champagne house’s popular brut NV (not mentioned here), the Palmer blew it away with its elegance and long finish.
Laurent-Perrier Blanc de Blancs Brut Nature ($77). Laurent-Perrier, a family-owned and operated Champagne house, is the pioneer of the no-added sugar, ‘Brut Nature,’ Champagne category. This Blanc de Blancs (meaning it is 100% Chardonnay) is a beautifully crisp wine with fine, delicate bubbles and aromas of citrus, green apple and a distinct mineral quality. A true gastronomic wine, it pairs well with shrimp or scallops wrapped in bacon, as well as grilled sea bass, salmon, and trout. It also works well with egg dishes, hard or soft cheeses, and light meats like veal or pork in a thyme or sage accented sauce.
Delamotte NV Brut Rosé Champagne ($81). Delamotte (a part of the Laurent-Perrier Group) was founded in 1760 and is the fifth oldest Champagne House in the region. Made from 80% Pinot Noir and 20% Chardonnay, this fragrant sparkler will remind you of delicate red berries. Full bodied and round, with an underlying acidity and hints of buttery brioche, this rosé Champagne pairs well with everything, from hors d’oeuvres and appetizers to the main course.
Alfred Gratien Cuvée Paradis 2009 ($125). I was recently reminded how much I love the Champagne of Alfred Gratien at a recent Wine Media Guild luncheon, during which I tasted 20 top Champagnes. This Prestige Cuvée, the company’s flagship wine, was, hands down, my favorite of the bunch, with most of the others selling for significantly more than the Paradis.
The wine has wonderful aromas of brioche, almond and citrus fruits — grapefruit, lime and orange peel. And the texture of this wine will make you swoon: tiny bubbles that tingle your tongue with complex flavors of buttery brioche, citrus, passionfruit, pineapple, and even seaweed!
Bollinger Grand Année 2008 ($160). From one of my favorite Champagne houses, Bollinger’s Grand Année is only made in the best of years — and 2008 was an exceptionally good vintage. This Prestige Cuvée is made from 71% Pinot Noir, and 29% Chardonnay and tastes like apples and pears, with a bright, tart acidity and a long, beautiful finish. This is a Champagne to be sipped slowly and savored.