Christmas Gifts!

Gifts from friends and work peers are always interesting but when people know you like wine things turn out pretty good most of the time.  The expectation from vino toting enthusiasts is that you will love their gift of grapes.  Most people will take the time to find something exordinary, unique or pricey to put in that shiny slender bag.  They also expect you to tell them how wonderful your palette experience was, so don't disappoint them.

TIP

If you are given a gift of wine and you know the giver was thoughtful enough to select something unique or expensive make sure you respond accordingly with a thoughtful thank you after you have enjoyed the gift.  Make sure you open the bottle when you will most appreciate its characteristics.  Have it with a special dinner.  Jot down some notes about it so you can describe it in your thank you note.  Your giver will definitely remember your thoughtfulness. MOST OF ALL DO NOT RE-GIFT IT!

TREAT
One of my staff is vino groupie and he said he thought a lot about a wine I might not have tried and he found one to fit the bill.  It was a Priorat from Spain.  "Tweny-five years ago, this isolated territory high in the hills of Catalonia was virtually unknown to most of the wine-drinking world. Today, Priorats command some of the highest prices of any Spanish wine. The wines of Priorat are the real thing, distinctive and powerful expressions of a highly unusual terroir. "  Spaniards of Distinction From Priorat written by Eric Asimov of The New Times on March 14, 2011."

This was truly a senses experience for me. I have never had a wine so spicy.  It was almost like drinking black pepper with a black cherry chaser.  It was bold, dense and full of character.  I kept tasting it over and over trying to decide if I liked it or not.  My husband who likes anything that has the flavor of pepper sauce LOVED IT!  And it did pair wonderfully with my spiced pumpkin soup but I wish I good have had the taste buds of my Diva friends who like big and bold to have another opinion.  So what's in a Priorat, a blend of Garnacha, Cariñena  and probably a little Cabernet Sauvignon,  Merlot and Syrah.  These wine are big and potent (14 to 15.5% alcohol).

If this is your type of wine, splurge and try one.  It is a real treat and you will be able to brag that you have tried one.