It’s holiday season (again) and if you haven’t already chosen the perfect gifts for the food and wine lovers in your life, I have a few ideas (received as samples) they’ll love. Each is special in its own way and is guaranteed to delight. Truth be told, I’ve read and used each book, played SOMM Blinders game many times and already have plans to visit the Loire with the expertise of Elite Wine Tours. Enjoy!

Supper by Flora Shedden Celebrates Every Meal with Elegance

“Supper, Dinner, Tea, Feast… Frankly, who cares what you call it? We all end our day with a meal,” writes author Flora Shedden in her introduction to Supper. This beautiful book stuns with striking photography and mouthwatering recipes that inspire. Chapters entitled “In a hurry,” “Thirty-minute tea,” “Candlelight,” “On the side,” and “Sweet endings” offer creative ideas for the chef, no matter the skill level. Chapter Three suggests recipes for “Good things to drink (and eat!)” such as a Vodka Fizz, Basil Gimlet, Gooseberry and Tonic and other libations along with luscious food pairings. From a romantic evening to a weeknight meal, 100+ recipes deliver exactly what we need to make the end of the day very special indeed.

Elegance and sophistication with sides of whimsy and deliciousness characterize this book, a chef’s dream. Pour your favorite wine, start cooking and enjoy the experience. Cost is $32.50 on Amazon.

The Wine Bible, Third Edition is the Go-To Book for Wine Lovers

I was thrilled to receive The Wine Bible, Third Edition, from iconic speaker and knowledgeable author, Karen MacNeil. With its interesting, entertaining prose that considers wine as “one of the last true things” (in MacNeil’s words), this is a book you can easily read from beginning to end or in bits and pieces.

You’ll learn from interesting sidebars (The Famous Prosciutto of Friuli, for example), relevant sections (The Wine Bible Word Dictionary), detailed tasting notes, wine suggestions, anecdotes, tips, definitions, illustrations, photographs and more. Peruse The Wine Bible when you are ready to travel to your favorite wine destination, when you are searching for a special bottle to purchase, or when you would simply love to read a fascinating book that weaves wine with food, culture, history and landscape. This is everyone’s go-to book about the fundamentals of wine and so much more. Available on Amazon, cost is $35.99 for the paperback version –click here to order.

Test Your Blind Tasting Skills with SOMM Blinders Game

Just when you thought the holidays couldn’t be more fun, it truly is when you play SOMM Blinders Game with friends and family. I can honestly say that this card game has upped my blind tasting skills which, to be honest, have never been what they should. Tasting wine “blind” is tough and although I’m reasonably good at identifying aromas and flavors of a wine, determining the variety correctly can be a challenge. Now, with SOMM Blinders Game, blind tasting is not at all intimidating.

I’ve been playing with the Original Deck that includes red and white wines. The deck has 107 cards that include taste descriptors, cards for high or low acidity, high or low tannins, with or without oak, regions and grape varieties. The white wines to play with in the Original Deck are Pinot Grigio from Italy, Sauvignon Blanc, Oaked Chardonnay and Unoaked Chardonnay (or Chablis). Red wines are California Cabernet, Bordeaux, Beaujolais and California Pinot Noir. (Other decks focus specifically on red wines and white wines – each deck covers six wines.)

Cost for SOMM Blinders Game is $35 but if you use discount code GRAPEXP, enjoy a 20% discount. Please click here to order!

Travel to the Loire Valley with Elite Wine Tour

Chris Garry is Tour Coordinator for Elite Wine Tour, a company that provides luxury bespoke, custom client-led wine experiences across the Loire Valley. We can choose from 12 diverse Loire regions and tours are half, full, and/or multi-day tours. Whether you prefer dry whites, rich reds or something bubbly, we’ll find in the Loire Valley exactly what we’re looking for… and more! Each tour is completely unique, tailored to our specific tastes and needs and designed to surpass all expectations. I’m definitely on board for traveling to the Loire with Elite Wine Tour – this truly is an amazing gift for anyone who loves traveling for wine!

To experience the Loire Valley in all its glory and for 20% off all bookings, use coupon code GRAPEXP20 at checkout. Click here to view your options and book your experiences. See you there!

Cheers! ~ Cindy

If you have time for another gift idea (wine! cheese! gorgeous cutting board!), enjoy “Entertain California-Style with Raeburn Winery Chardonnay and Pinot Noir Paired with Sonoma County Cheeses.” Please click here.