Gift of Wine

Happy Holiday Season Leschi! Giving the gift of wine can be equally as fun for the gift giver as it is for the recipient. When choosing a bottle of wine (or two) to gift, keep a few basic ideas in mind. Know what the recipient tends to like and have a rough estimate of what you would like to spend. Many great wines can be found across all ranges of price points. When in doubt- ask an expert- like US! Leschi Market will be well staffed with wine experts throughout the month to assist you with all of your wine needs.

A comment that I will never forget, was said to me one of my first holiday seasons at the Market. “Giving wine just seems so last minute.” We have discussed the art of gift giving many times before. As we embark on the biggest gifting season of the year, let me offer some ideas on putting a little meaning behind those gifts. Trust me, in general, everyone loves to receive wine as a gift, and if you put just a tiny amount of thought into it, it won’t seem so last minute at all. Personally, I anticipate quite a bit of wine gifting (and drinking!) this year!

Theme based wine gifts are creative and fun. These definitely show some amount of planning and thought. They are just as fun to assemble as they are to receive. All you need to do is choose your price point and choose your theme. Here are some of my favorites from over the years.

For the bicyclist on the list, a “Tour de France” package can include a wine from several different regions in France: Alsace, Beaujolais, Bordeaux, Burgundy, Champagne, Chateauneuf du Pape, Gascogne, Languedoc-Roussillon, Loire, and Rhône are great starting points. These regions are so diverse themselves that you could easily choose a few wines from within each region.

With even more of a return to normalcy and increased travels during 2023 and beyond, the “Around the World” packages might be a great way to revisit or anticipate those far off destinations. Focusing on one country, or several, is easy enough to do. Rieslings from Germany, Barberas from Italy, Tempranillos from Spain, Bordeaux style wines from Mexico, Malbecs from Argentina or our unique “stamp collection” section that houses wines from Georgia, Greece, Lebanon or Romania.

Domestic sets can be great too. Walla Walla, Willamette Valley or Napa would provide great themed packages. The possibilities and spin-offs are truly endless. From an “Italian Getaway,” to an all natty grouping, from all under $10 wine, to an all animal themed label, use your imagination and creativity, and most of all, have fun with it.

This brings me to Champagnes and Ports. These are ultimate gift wines, if not for the sole fact that people rarely buy them for themselves. Who knows why, but we tend to put off splurging for these special wines for ourselves yet are ecstatic when we are gifted them. When in doubt, look to the Port and Champagne sections. Many of these wines are discounted during holiday months, and great finds can be had for under $50. Vintage Champagnes and Vintage Ports are more expensive and harder to find, however “Colheita” Ports (years of ports not designated as “vintage”) can be found for a lesser dollar amount and for nearly every year; a great idea when trying to match birth years, anniversary years, and other significant dates in one’s life.

Finally, let’s conclude with highly sought after wines that are in fairly limited supply. Collectors, cellar builders, and new winos alike will appreciate getting their hands on some of these rarities!

These are just a few of our offerings. Take a look at our lockbox, located next to the Champagne in the wine aisle–it’s full of treasures as well!

• 2015 Quilceda Creek Cabernet Sauvignon Columbia Valley ($180) 99-points, James Suckling

• 2017 Dow’s Vintage Porto ($150) 96-points, Robert Parker

• 2015 Clos des Papes Chateauneuf du Pape ($125) 98-points, Wine Spectator

• 2006 Tolaini Picconero Toscana ($125) 93+-points, Wine Advocate, Galloni

• 2015 Reynvaan Stonessence Syrah ($98) 95-points, Robert Parker

• 2015 Muga Prado Enea Gran Reserva ($94) 97-points, Robert Parker

• Champagne Billecart Salmon Brut Rose NV ($85) 92-points, Wine Spectator

• 2017 Le Vieux Donjon Chateauneuf du Pape ($65) 95-points, Robert Parker

• 2014 R. Lopez de Heredia Tondonia Vina Gravonia ($50) 95-points, Robert Parker

• 2016 Domaine Saint Damien Gigondas Louisiane ($36) 94-points, Robert Parker

Still unsure what gift to give the wine lover on your list? One of my favorite reminders is that accessories like wine glasses and decanters rarely need a gift receipt! Have a safe and memorable holiday season and we’ll see you next year!

CHEERS! ENJOY!

~Kenneth Benner

Kenneth Benner, a Seattle area native, is a trained chef and has worked in such restaurants as Barbacoa, B.O.K.A. Kitchen + Bar, and Dahlia Lounge. Ken is the wine buyer at Leschi Market. He has a passion for learning, a meticulous palate, and a tenacity for searching out the best for his customers while offering some of the most highly coveted wines in the area. His monthly column is intended to inspire and explore new choices in wine, learn about wine with his readers, and share his knowledge and experience in the wine world. Check out the latest at www.LeschiMart.com or to request to be added to email updates at wine@leschimarket.com.