{"id":157,"date":"2016-12-15T16:00:00","date_gmt":"2016-12-15T21:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/dev.wtso.com\/blog\/index.php\/2016\/12\/15\/2016-12-15-gifts-for-wine-lovers\/"},"modified":"2017-12-12T16:57:32","modified_gmt":"2017-12-12T21:57:32","slug":"gifts-for-wine-lovers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.wtso.com\/blog\/gifts-for-wine-lovers\/","title":{"rendered":"Gifts for Wine Lovers"},"content":{"rendered":"

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When it comes to giving gifts, some people are easier than others. We all have that friend or loved one in our life who seems to have everything they want. If that person loves wine, the below list should make things easy! Here are some of our favorite gift ideas, at all price points, to delight every wine lover on your list.<\/p>\n

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Polishing Cloth $10<\/h3>\n

If you\u2019ve ever eaten at a high-end restaurant, you may have noticed the perfect shine and clarity of their wine glasses. Yes, they do have professional grade dishwashers and staff dedicated staff to polishing, but they also use different polishing cloths than you have at home. Try a microfiber polishing cloth designed for wine glasses, and you\u2019ll find that not only does your crystal shine brilliantly, but it\u2019s also protected from some of the wear and tear of long-term use. Riedel offers polishing cloths<\/a> for about $10.<\/p>\n

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Vacuum Stoppers $10<\/h3>\n

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If you don\u2019t want to finish a bottle of wine in a single evening, you have to decide how to keep it so that it\u2019s still fresh and enjoyable the next day. Broadly speaking, wines will stay fresh for about 24 hours if sealed with their original cork. However, if you\u2019d like to extend the life of the wine by an additional day or two and maintain optimal freshness, try using a vacuum stopper<\/a>. Professionals and restaurants use these stoppers to maintain their wine programs. The stoppers come with a pump that removes air from the inside of the bottle, which slows the oxidation process,\u00a0and allows the wine to keep for at least twice as long.<\/p>\n

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Corkscrews $10-$50<\/h3>\n

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Before you can enjoy a bottle of wine, you have to get it open, and you might as well do so in style! There are many styles of corkscrew on the market, but the vast majority of professionals forgo using fancy gadgets and stick with the trusty \u201cwaiter’s corkscrew.\u201d Here are a few versions: plain<\/a>, gold plated<\/a>, and wooden<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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Wine Books $12-$150<\/h3>\n

There are many books about wine with varying levels of seriousness and depth. Here are three options:\u00a0The Essential Scratch and Sniff Guide to Becoming a Wine Expert: Take a Whiff of That<\/a> by Richard Betts and Wendy MacNaughton is a fun way to learn about wine and impress your friends. The World Atlas of Wine<\/a> by Hugh Johnson and Jancis Robinson has great pictures, maps, and tons of information. If your friend or family member is extremely serious about wine or has a love of beautiful books, consider Wine Grapes: A Complete Guide to 1,368 Vine Varieties, Including Their Origins and Flavours<\/a> by Jancis Robinson, Julia Harding, and Jos\u00e9 Vouillamoz. It\u2019s one of the most comprehensive and picturesque books about wine available.<\/p>\n

Osso $15+<\/h3>\n

Sometimes, you can\u2019t get a bottle open with a traditional corkscrew, because the cork is old or fragile enough that it starts to break. That\u2019s when an osso<\/a> (“ah-so”) style wine opener comes in handy. It features two thin pieces of metal that slide into the neck of the bottle, grab the cork, and pull it out of the bottle. As simple as this device is, many people have never seen one and will be thrilled by how useful it is. There are many styles to choose from, but a basic version should work just fine.<\/p>\n