The internet is such a wonderful medium. Yes, it does have its vulnerabilities, but it’s such a great way to connect with the rest of the world and gain access to a plethora of information.

I’ve come across some really wonderful websites lately – from Vinopolis: City of Wine to The Wine Society – sites that I hope you’ll enjoy checking out, too (when and if you do, feedback to me, let me know what you think of them).

Another site I’d like to introduce you to (that is if you don’t know of it already ‘cos it’s brilliant!) is a cleverly-titled site called Nat Decants. It’s always encouraging and inspiring to see people doing what they love doing and you can tell that Natalie MacLean (wine lover, writer and accredited sommelier) DEFINITELY loves what she does. From her published books to her articles to her newsletters to her impressive bio, this woman drinks, breathes and sleeps wine.

Not only is she indulging in her passion with vigour, but she seems to be touching other people with it, having won several awards for her food writing. And her book – Red, White and Drunk All Over: A Wine-Soaked Journey from Grape to Glass – well, what a title! (don’t you think?)

We seem to have written on some of the same topics, too (from different angles) which is great! – I feel a bond! – Wine tasting parties, Cheese and Wine pairings, Gifts for Wine Lovers, and there’s one on her site about Muscat wine/grape (used in different parts of the world – Italy uses it to make a range of sparkling wines called ‘Asti’).

Did I also mention that she’s a speaker and judge, too? What an amazing individual! More power to her. May the wine gods forever smile into her glass of Chianti!

Hope you enjoy the site.

Ciao!

(img by: Cane Rosso)

The following are very simple ideas, but the wine lover in your life will love you for being so thoughtful.

IDEA 4: Corkscrews…

Yes. The humble corkscrew. As essential as it is to have one, many wine lovers have been known to misplace theirs on a regular basis. The solution? Buy them 5 or 6 corkscrews and place them in strategic places all over the house – beneath the coffee table, beside the computer, on the pile of magazines, hanging behind the kitchen door, etc. That way, they will never have to look for a corkscrew again. I know this method works because it’s the strategy I use with my pens. I haven’t had to look for a pen in a good while!

(p.s: Obviously, corkscrews are sharper, so be careful where you place them.)

IDEA 5: Wine vouchers…

Why not buy them a handful of wine vouchers? There are several wine stores that sell these.

IDEA 6: Magazine Subscriptions /Books…

You could buy them a year’s subscription to a wine magazine (or two!). Or buy them a book. There’s one called ‘The Wine Bible’ which you could buy from Amazon, or you could get them ‘Sotheby’s Wine Encyclopaedia’. To be even more specific, you could buy them ‘The Italian Wine Guide: The Definitive Guide to Touring, Sourcing and Tasting’ – it would be quite a useful book for them to read if you plan on treating them to Idea 7 below!

IDEA 7:

The Not-As-Simple, But-So-Worthwhile Idea is…

…take them on a wine-tasting holiday in Italy!!!

Do read previous posts written here about wine-tasting holidays in Umbria, Sardinia, Piedmont, Sicily and Tuscany to give you an idea of how magical it can be!

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I imagine that you probably love your wine so much that you could actually write a book of your very own!

But, in the meantime, before you write your bestselling wine book, here are 3 books to adorn your bookshelf with.

(p.s: wouldn’t it be great if wine books smelt like wine? Hmm, what about wine perfume? Remember where you heard these ideas first!)

Ok. Books. Three of them.

1) A gorgeous Antique Brown Genuine Italian Leather Wine Journal: Ok, so I’m cheating a bit. It’s not a wine book. But you can jot down ideas for your wine book in it! – your synopsis, chapter ideas, who’s going to write your foreword, who will be your wine photographer, how many pages you’re going to write, book agents you plan on approaching, etc.

Ok, I’m way ahead of myself but if you really love your wine, who’s to say you can’t write a wine book if you put your mind (and palate!) to it?

2) This book has an interesting title. It’s called:

‘He Said Beer, She Said Wine: Impassioned Food Pairings to Debate and Enjoy – From Burgers to Brie and Beyond’.

Yes, that’s the whole title. Very long, isn’t it?! But a very appropriate title as friends have been known to almost fall out over highly-spirited debates over what cheese goes better with what wine. I’m sure more than a few people will be able to relate to this book!

3) And how about this book, ‘The Wine Lover Cooks With Wine’? Of course the wine lover cooks with wine! The wine lover brushes her teeth with wine! (Only joking – I’m not here to promote alcoholism, dear reader). It’s an aptly titled book with plenty of recipes that should keep you (and your guests) busy for a while with little time between mouthfuls to argue about wine and cheese pairings!

PS: have a look at The Wine Lover Cooks Italian: Pairing Great Recipes with the Perfect Glass of WIne