Gifts For Your Wine Lover

This article is from the archive of The New York Sun before the launch of its new website in 2022. The Sun has neither altered nor updated such articles but will seek to correct any errors, mis-categorizations or other problems introduced during transfer.

The New York Sun

Wine buffs make gift selection easy. No need to settle for one more tie or scarf. No need even to settle on a gift of special wine. Many are the surprisingly diverse “peripherals” that will gladden the heart of that person to whom wine is important. As with wine itself, there’s no lack of gifts at the low and luxury ends of the spectrum. My picks range in price from $27.95 to $35,000.


1. BORDEAUX AND ITS WINES, COCKS & FERET, 17th EDITION (Wiley, $200) Since 1846, this mighty tome has been the ultimate reference to the wine culture, production, and chateaus of the largest and greatest single wine region on earth. This newest, 2,335-page English edition of “C&F” begins with a provocative essay in which editor Bruno Boidron argues that, with the possible exception of New Zealand, wine regions that do not already have a long-term history have no long-term future – a claim that Long Island winemakers, among others, are sure to reject. Thousands of individual properties, famed and obscure, are described or noted with copious illustrations. For exhaustive vintage ratings, look to Robert Parker’s “Bordeaux.” For sheer magnitude and the wisdom that more than a century and a half of tweaking brings, nothing comes close to this slowly evolved masterpiece.


2. SCREWPULL WITH ACTIV-BALL ($27.95 at Sherry-Lehmann, 679 Madison Ave., between 61st and 62nd streets, 212-838-7500) The simple act of cork-pulling has begotten gadgets both elaborate and expensive. My observation is that the more serious people are about wine, the simpler their tool for uncorking. For sommeliers, a simple waiter’s lever action corkscrew is the standard. For home use, it’s the American-designed Screwpull. Since it debuted in 1979, successive new models of the Screwpull have deftly walked the line between the extremes of low- and hi-tech. Its Teflon-coated, double helix screw slips into a cork as if it were butter. Removal of the cork from the screw, however, was previously a bit of a chore. Now comes this latest model with a little red ball on the spiral that makes ejection of the cork a cinch. At my table, the Screwpull has never failed or faltered, even with stubborn artificial corks.


3. BACCARAT “EPICURE” STEMWARE ($420 for six red wine glasses,www.baccarat.com, 625 Madison Ave., 212-826-4100) New from Baccarat is the understated yet classic Epicure stemware line. The bases of these full lead crystal glasses, laser-etched with the maker’s name, are heavy enough to give stability, while the bowls are properly thin. All edges are finished to a nice roundness. By Baccarat standards, Epicure is gently priced, being partly machine made rather than entirely hand crafted. Handsomely packed in Baccarat’s bright red box. This season, online shopping has been introduced atwww.baccarat.com. Purchasers of an Epicure set receive a oneyear subscription to Wine Spectator magazine, a $45 value.


4. SYMPHONY SMART STEMS ($59.95 per four-stem set) This new line of stemware features five different shapes to bring out the best in pinot noir, cabernet/merlot, sauvignon blanc/pinot grigio, chardonnay, and champagne. To avoid wrong pours, the base of each glass is etched with the name of the wine it’s designed for. If you’re nervous about butterfingers handling those Baccarats, Smart Stems will be calming. Available atwww.wineenthusiast.com.


5. GE MONOGRAM WINE VAULT ($35,000) Here’s a statistic that got GE’s elite Monogram division working on its latest uber-appliance: More than 200,000 Americans own wine collections of 43 or more cases (some of whom may be reading this). A stainless steel-sided near cube standing 7.5 feet high, the wine vault will keep 1,100 bottles at a constant and ideal 55* F. Features handsome redwood storage racks and table. Lots of perks here, including a built-in, ATM-style touch screen console and scanner for inventory control. Enter name and vintage of a wine, and it spits out a bar code neck label with a location indicator. Requires custom installation: Deals can be found at www.monogram.com.


6. CUISINART CWC-900 PRIVATE RESERVE WINE CELLAR ($180) This stainless steel, glass-paneled, compact wine cellar will find a niche in even the most modestly sized city apartment. Holds up to 11 bottles on three stainless steel racks. Eight temperature presets with LED readout. Thermoelectric technology means no compressor, no annoying hum. Available at www.cooking.com.


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