Once upon a vine

Wine that keeps on giving... and giving

There's something about those boxes of See's chocolates that make them prime for the re-gifting. During the holiday season, See’s even sells those boxes in very identifiable Christmas wrapping. To paraphrase Forrest Gump, when it comes to this box of chocolates, you really do know what you're going to get. And they are tasty treats. But the uniformity in packaging and the ease with which the box can be passed on also makes those candies an easy gift to give again. And again.

The same goes for wine. Need a last minute gift? Oh yeah, there's that chardonnay bottle my secretary gave me. Grab and go. And who doesn't love getting a new bottle of wine? Even if it's just new to them.

I've done it. I have passed on a bottle gifted me as a gift I've obtained for someone else. The recipients were happy. And I'd fulfilled my gift giving duties. In this sense, wine can make the perfect re-gift.

I do find myself justifying my wine re-gift, though. For example, I've taken a gifted bottle to dinner parties. But the way I see it, I'll be enjoying it too, as intended by the gift giver. And when I have more than one bottle of the same wine, it does become a little easier to grab one on my way to a birthday party. At least there's that knowledge that I've got another bottle waiting at home, ready for a more private drinking experience.

Truth be told, however, the more I've learned about wine, the more personal my relationship with it, even with each individual bottle, has become. And the truth is, I re-gift wine a lot more infrequently these days.

When I give a gift of wine, I feel I'm giving more than a random beverage in a bottle. For one, I'm trying to make an impression. I want to give a wine I feel is going to be enjoyed and memorable. So I have a vested interest in knowing as much as I can about my gift. If I pass on a random wine gift, odds are I'll know a lot less about it. I want to be knowledgeable about how it tastes and smells and the foods with which it would pair well.

Also, I want to give a wine gift with personality. Whenever possible, I like to offer a wine with a story. I recently gave a visiting friend a bottle of Brander Sauvignon Blanc. I was able to tell him about how well this particular grape does in the county's hotter areas. And about Fred Brander’s reputation as one of the best makers of this wine. And about my visits to the winery as these very grapes were being harvested. And about Brander’s quarter-century of history in the Santa Barbara area. I think all those personal tidbits made the experience he would eventually have with this $12 bottle of wine a lot more valuable.

When I recently gifted another out-of-towner with a bottle of Firestone syrah, I was able to tell of my conversations with winemaker Kevin Willenborg about this relatively new venture for the winery. And about the Firestones' very early grape plantings. And yes, that one Bachelor does have something to do with this wine.

I also like getting wine bottles personalized. Tastings at East Beach Wine, for example, usually feature the winemakers themselves doing the pouring. And I'll make sure I get their signature on the bottles I buy. And if I intend one to be a gift for someone in particular, I make sure they sign their name. Boy, will that make it a whole lot tougher to re-gift.

So, yes, I like to make my wine gifting personal. And that has diminished my number of wine re-gifts. But whom am I kidding? My favorite holiday gift of them all is a bottle of wine. And it really won't hurt my feelings if it's been someone else's gift before.
Wine Savings A couple of wineries have extended holiday wine savings to readers of this column through the end of the month. Zaca Mesa Winery will take 10 percent off your wine order just for typing in the word "Gabe" in the coupon section of their online order form. Log on to www.zacamesa.com and check out some of the winery’s delicious Rhone wines and great wine gifts packs. And Fiddlehead Cellars is extending a 15 percent discount on any wine order through the end of the month. Fiddlehead has delicious pinot noirs and sauvignon blancs. The winery has an order form at www.fiddleheadcellars.com you print and fax them. Just write "Gabe" on the special instructions section. Happy holidays!
Grapevine TravelClub We're still signing people up on our Grapevine TravelClub. In the next few days, we'll finalize the itinerary for our first (of many). We're heading off to Tuscany in June 2004. As long as you're willing to put up with me as your unassuming guide, it should a journey filled with long-lasting wine memories. I'll keep you informed if you email me at gabe@thegrapevineshow.com or call the Grapevine GrapeLine at 453-1209.

Gabe’s radio show, “The Grapevine” airs from noon-1 p.m. Saturdays on KZBN AM1290. He can be contacted at gabe@thegrapevineshow.com.