Gift Guide: New to Wine

This is the starter pack gift guide to get your recipeint into the wine world!

There are a few items that you must have as an adult-PERIOD, even without a particular interest in wine. This list of recommendations works for a new adult too (sorry to be so condescending about it). If you just moved into your own place, just got married, or know others who have-- this is a great start.

More importantly, this is a great starter kit to gift someone who has an interest in wine and may even want to educate themselves in the future.

Wine Opener (Wine Key)

Buy any of the fancy gadgets out there to open a bottle of wine-- do what you gotta do to get to the sweet elixir, but the most compact and professional method is a wine key.

If your recipient isn't quite there, this Cordless Electric Bottle Opener will do just fine until they learn their way around a wine key.

Glassware

Glassware is an important aspect of wine enjoyment, but at the beginner level, a set of Universal glasses is a perfect compromise. To see more specific and tailored stemware (red wine, white wine and sparkling glasses) see my aficionado gift guide.

This set is a great universal set that is a timeless contribution to their collection. If they are fresh out of college, this will be the nicest thing set in their kitchen. These Italian JBHO's are dishwasher safe (hello Wine Wash Co. stem holders)!

Proper Bottle Stoppers, please don't skip this.

If you are helping to educate someone and to invite wine into their life, please make sure they know how to store it:

1. Wine bottle, on its side so that liquid is in contact with the cork AND

2. Out of natural day light to avoid changes in the wine (we can geek out about that elsewhere, but the UV rays change the wine compounds and can "cork" it, indicated by bad smells and worse taste.

Once a bottle of wine is open, it should be stored with the cork or this awesome bottle stopper-pourer-aerator combo for up to three days in the refrigerator. Far be it for me to tell anyone how to live their life, but experts and experience proves that wine left on the counter subject to fluctuations in temperature and air will turn to vinegar. These are practical, reusable and will keep all you know from waste.

As A Reference Guide

Wine Simple: A totally approachable guide from a world class Sommelier

I don't think everyone needs an expert level of knowledge in wine, but we all deserve to know a little bit more about the a to z process of grape juice grown on a steep slope in Germany, into a bottle in our local wine shop AND what we like about it. Understanding the basics of wine making, the wines made and where just might give you a bit more insight into the world we live in. You might even find some great opportunities for travel and vacation!