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Open That Bottle Night Strikes Again!
You know who you are. You’re one of those people who’s hording a very special bottle of wine for reasons known only to you. Maybe it has sentimental value. Maybe it cost so much that you’re afraid it has you outclassed 
Whatever… The point is that this beverage has been placed on a such a lofty pedestal that there’s simply no occasion good enough for it.
Enter my favorite wine columnists, Dorothy Gaiter and John Brecher. They’re here to help you. On February 26, 2000, they established what has become a marvelous tradition, and great excuse to over-indulge, called “Open That Bottle Night”. Marching orders: Don’t be silly! It’s just wine, after all… Have yourself a fabulous meal and pop that baby open!
Now, maybe you’re one of those who likes to save the good stuff for yourself, like Nixon, which calls for an extremely intimate dinner party of one. Brings to mind the sad image of Miles, in Sideways, drinking that Ch. Cheval Blanc out of a paper cup all by himself.
Or, instead, you’re the person who, once he realizes he has permission to indulge, can’t wait to trot that coveted wine out and share it with his nearest and dearest. Imagine the potential Bacchanalia if each of those loved ones brings a special bottle of his own. Whoo-hoo!!!!
In any case, it’s just over a week away, so get busy! Get thee to thy wine storage area, pluck that special bottle down from its celestial perch and have yourself a blast on Feb 28! Cheers!
Last-minute stocking stuffers for the wine-geeks on your list
So, we’re less than one week out. High anxiety… Afraid you can’t get it done… Feeling mildly irritable… Yup, panic has officially set in. So much to do and only, really, 5 days left to do it.
You know what’s hardest for me? Stocking stuffers! Fun, clever things, to bring a smile to the face, that aren’t too big and don’t cost too much.
I’m afraid the wine lovers in my circle are incredibly jaded, by now, and likely to snicker at most wine related hoo-ha I might be tempted to stuff in their stockings. Let’s face it – the vast majority of wine gadgets available eat up valuable drawer space and are essentially useless.
So – this is a highly selective list of useful things that are also inexpensive and will easily fit into the stocking of that hard-to-please wino. You can pick these up at your local wine shop, bookstore or maybe even the hardware store (at least our hardware store carries wine stuff – is that a local quirk?). Failing that, there’s always 2-day air from Amazon or Wine Enthusiast…
My top 10 suggestions:
1. Hugh Johnson’s Pocket Wine Book 2009 Actually, I defy anyone to snicker at this handy little reference that fits in your back pocket or purse.
2. Champagne stopper(s) You can never have too many of these because they’re always getting lost (don’t ask me how – just do what I do – blame the cat).
3. Wine Away (purse sized) This stuff really works! Never go wine-tasting without this magic potion that takes the stains out of your poor, burgundy-spotted shirt!
4. Gift certificate from Goosecross at a 25% discount! You’ll appear to be even more generous than you are Just call 800-276-9210 or shop online using promo code GC1208 and get a $100.00 certificate for only $75.00. Oh! You can get larger (but not smaller) amounts, too, also at a 25% discount. No expiration on these babies. Very cool!
5. Private Preserve This is another thing you’re always happy to have around (spray it into partial bottle so it doesn’t spoil).
6. Foil Cutter(s) Every time I have to remove the foil with the old waiter’s corkscrew, I wish I had one of these in my pocket.
7. The Pocket Screwpull Requires zero skill and an equal amount of physical strength. Plus, it isn’t the size of a house – my personal fave!
8. Micro-fiber cloths to dry your wine glasses. No more lint all over the place!
9. De Long’s Wine Grape Varietal Table This is a really fun poster with info about at least a zillion varieties. If you recognize every grape on this chart, seriously, you need to get a life! Great for your cellar or wine-storage area. We have it – come see us! Or try Amazon.
10. An actual bottle of delicious wine! This will, of course, fill up the stocking, but you’ve accomplished two good things: 1) solved your problem 2) made someone really happy!
Happy hunting! And stuffing! And, to quote friend, Diane, ” I wish you the loveliest of Christmas memories and pray that our New Year will bring the world as many miracles as possible”.
Chuckle du Jour
This one, courtesy of Leah Garchik of the San Francisco Chronicle.
Setting: The Lodge in the Regency Center in San Francisco. Kermit Lynch, one of my favorite wine merchants, was made a chevalier of the French Legion of Honor.
Quotable quote: “Do you know the difference between God and a winemaker?” asked Daniel Ravier, the winemaker for Domaine Tempier in Bandol. “God doesn’t think he’s a winemaker.”
