Happy Holiday Gift Ideas

Walking the aisles of any retail store at this time of year will most certainly give you a clear picture that it is gift-giving time. Strolling through your friendly neighborhood wine and spirit shop is definitely no exception. Whether it is accessories, gift packages, or just that special bottle, there is a wide array of gift choices available for the beer, wine or spirits drinker.

As we check the aisles of the beer department, we can not help but notice the wide array of winter seasonal beers available. With names like winter lager and holiday ale, many of these brews are flavored with spices like nutmeg and cinnamon. They can provide a festive alternative to egg nog for the beer drinkers in the family. Gift boxes with many different beers are also widely available for the adventurous beer drinker. Of course there are also the Beer Of The Month mail order clubs for those who just can not get enough variety locally.

Moving over to the liquor aisle presents us with an overwhelming array of top shelf or super premium products in every category. Single malt scotches, XO cognacs, anejo tequilas, and vodkas for the ultimate martini are widely available. Prices start at around $20 for a 750ml bottle and reach whatever price you are willing to pay.

By selecting super premium spirits, you will be buying rare bottles that are extremely smooth and sometimes quite complex in flavor. If you are just seeking your favorite brand for the holidays, glass sets, gift tins, decanters and other drink-related doodads are readily available.

The holidays are also a fine time to surprise your favorite wine drinker with that special bottle of wine that is just a little too expensive for everyday drinking. California Cabernets, classified Bordeaux, Italian Barolos and Barbarescos, and French Burgundies have all become quite expensive over the last few years. They are also some of the world’s greatest wines. Any wine lover would be thrilled to receive these wines as a gift. Wine accessories like corkscrews, wine savers, nice glasses, or wine books are also entirely appropriate for any wine aficionado.

If you are a serious connoisseur or just enjoy a drink after a tough day of work, there are any number of gifts available. These gifts will also fit almost any budget. And if you happen to want to surprise your favorite wine columnist...