‘Tis the season for holiday gift giving. What if you’d like to give someone a bottle of wine or spirits? How do you know which one to choose? Here to help us with that is Natalie MacLean, who offers Canada’s most popular online wine classes at nataliemaclean.com
Welcome back, Natalie. So if choosing the right bottle is so tricky, why should we give wine or spirits as a gift at all?
When you give the gift of wine or spirits, doubles are fine unlike toaster ovens, there are no wrong sizes unlike that ugly sweater and regifting is so much easier compared to fruitcake.
And let’s be honest, has anyone ever said, “Oh no, not another bottle of wine!”
Sounds great! Let’s start with your first wines. What are they and who are they for?
The St. Regis Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir are perfect for your psychiatrist, bartender or whomever is giving you good advice lately.
St. Regis Selection Sauvignon Blanc
South of France, France
St. Regis Selection Pinot Noir
South of France, France
Surprise them with these delicious alcohol-free wines. Now you’re thinking out of the box or bottle, and that’s big progress for you this year.
Feel free to smell or taste.
Of course, they’ll analyze whatever you give them so choose wines like these that are so juicy and mouth-watering they’ll pair well with holiday turkey and major emotional breakthroughs.
Who’s getting the next bottle and why?
This Honest Lot Pinot Grigio is perfect for the person you meet through an online dating site.
Honest Lot Pinot Grigio
Ontario, Canada
Feel free to smell or taste.
It has zero grams of sugar per serving and is fully transparent with an ingredients label just like you were with your dating profile that did n’t use a “recent” photo from 2005.
This vibrant wine is not too light or too heavy. That’s perfect for your third date because you don’t want to be too wimpy or come on too strong. Pair it with oysters or your sparkling wit – which ever is fresher.
Who’s next on your shopping list?
Your personal trainer deserves Licor 43, a premium Spanish liqueur based on a secret family recipe of 43 ingredients, including fresh citrus fruits and botanicals.
Licor 43
Spain
This will take her cocktails to the next level, with its complexity and versatility, much like the program she’s developed for you. You can also use this in desserts like tiramisu and cheesecake to make them even more decadent. Just don’t tell your trainer after all that core work she’s done with you.
Who are these last bottles for?
Now you’ve shopped for everyone else, don’t forget yourself! The Glenlivet 12 Yr Old Single Malt 200th Anniversary Edition is just the thing when you need something a little stronger to watch the seventh re-run of Miracle on 34th Street .
The Glenlivet 12 Yr Old Single Malt 200th Anniversary Edition
Scotland
Feel free to smell or taste.
Another option is Skrewball Peanut Butter Whiskey, the adult version of your favorite childhood flavour, proving that growing up doesn’t need to be boring, especially around the holidays.
Skrewball Peanut Butter Whiskey
California
Feel free to smell or taste.
It’s also a great accompaniment to off-key caroling and those sugar plums dancing in your head.
Natalie, these suggestions are fantastic! Any final words of wisdom for our viewers?
Here’s to the holidays: a season of giving, receiving, and raising a glass to all that binds us together!
On Instagram , I’m at @NatalieMacLeanWine , and online, my website is nataliemaclean.com .
Posted with permission of Breakfast Television.
