The holiday season is upon us, and there’s no better way to spread cheer than with a thoughtful gift. Whether you’re shopping for a seasoned sommelier, a casual cocktail lover, someone just beginning to explore the world of vintages and varietals, or your favorite chef, there’s a perfect book waiting to be unwrapped and enjoyed. Raise a glass and dive into this curated selection (sent as samples) sure to impress!
We loved the classic film Sideways years ago, didn’t we? Now, readers of Sideways Uncorked: The Perfect Pairing of Food and Wine are able to reminisce and take a deep dive into the movie itself while discovering how this “pop-culture phenomenon dramatically impacted the wine industry.” Authors Kirk Honeycutt, a seasoned film critic, journalist, teacher and author, and Mira Advani Honeycutt, wine journalist of over 25 years, lead each reader to Santa Barbara, the setting of the movie, and engage us with photos and anecdotes as we follow the journey of Pinot Noir. In Sideways Uncorked, the cultures of wine and film converge in a book that you’ll not want to stop reading. Order HERE at a cost of $29.95 and pour the Pinot Noir now.
How many of us have heard of the Norton grape, otherwise known as Cynthiana? My home state of Virginia produces wine of Cynthiana but unfortunately, this grape is eclipsed by the more popular wines of Europe, California and other regions. Lynn Hamilton, author of Chasing Cynthiana: My Search for America’s Native Wines, shows that wine lovers in America have many more wine options that they think. One of those options is wine from Norton grapes with its “rich but mostly forgotten history, entwined with the pioneering of America’s western states.” Hamilton puts forth a well thought out case with humor and playfulness of why Americans seem to be wine snobs as they push native American varietals aside. This book has the ability to spark a good deal of discussion, and a fair amount of wine consumed. Order HERE for $29.95 US.
With a beautiful pink color on the cover of Rosé Revolution, you know what is inside must be intriguing! This new oversized coffee table book, sure to spark conversation and more than one pour of wine, tells the story of how the fascination for rose developed during the last 20 years. In fact, of all styles, rosé has made the most progress in recent years. What makes the book even more special is that the stories are told by the winemakers themselves, each with compelling tales, and the book is chock full of breathtaking photos and illustrations. Written by wine aficionados Rasmus Emborg and Jens Honore, they explained, “we wanted to tell the story of rosé and how it is more than happiness and good looks. Today the availability of high-quality rosé is immense and the dedication and craftsmanship behind this success is a story worth telling.” Purchase this book ($35) for the wine lover in your life HERE. Now, pour the rosé!
Embrace your inner Italian and enjoy SLOW (Easy, Comforting Italian Meals Worth Waiting For) by acclaimed Italian chef Gennaro Contaldo. The premise is that slow cooking is “simple, stress-free and allows you to get on with other things safe in the knowledge that slowly, the stovetop or oven is doing its job.” Cheers to that! At the beginning of the book is a conversion chart so that each recipe can be cooked in the oven, pressure cooker or slow cooker. I’ve already made Pollo Ubriaco Con Peperoni (boozy baked chicken with peppers) and Stufato di Manzo alla Siciliana (Sicilian pot roast) that were flavorful and ahhh-worthy! But nothing says “Nonna” like Ragu Bolognese (Classic Bolognese ragu) that I made in the slow cooker. Magnifica! This fabulous cookbook should be open at all times for inspiration and guidance. The cost is $35 US and can be ordered HERE.
If you are a regular reader of this site, you’ll know that I’ve been enjoying cocktails lately. Now this! The I Love Trader Joe’s Cocktail Book is my new favorite guidebook. With 52 delicious cocktail and mocktail recipes using ingredients from Trader Joe’s, every season and every occasion, even the most mundane, will be extra special. My favorites include the Cookie Butter Old-Fashioned (right?) and the refreshing Calamansi Sgroppino with mango sorbet, vodka and Prosecco. Believe me, there are more from which to choose. Author Greg McBoat has clearly satisfied my palate and budget! Only $18.95 US, order HERE.
It’s clear that the only grocery store we need is Trader Joe’s! The I Love Trader Joe’s Cooking for Two Cookbook includes 99 recipes perfect for you and your +1. Of course, each can be doubled or tripled for guests, but this cookbook solves the often-confusing issue of how to create a small-batch meal. Mouthwatering dishes that I particularly enjoyed are Red Pepper Eggplant Dip, Wine Country Grilled Cheese with garlic spread dip, Swiss cheese, Granny Smith apple, and Wine Country chicken salad. Another favorite? Chicken Limone Alfredo was an easy, delicious dish that only took 15 minutes to make. Cost is a mere $19.95 US, a real bargain. Order this fabulous cookbook HERE.
Cheers! ~ Cindy
Another gift idea? How about my online course “Discover the Essentials of Wine (and choose it like a pro!)?” Just click HERE for more info.
