Wine Education

The search to find just the right gift for a wine lover can be daunting. As someone who works in the wine industry, I offer  this round up of some classic glassware for wine geeks that I recommend in the hope to make it easier. In fact, these glasses are part of my personal arsenal.

In case you missed it, allow plenty of time for shipments to arrive this year. Inundated carriers and supply chains with challenges are ongoing themes. At the time of publication items were in stock. Just click on the images to order and get more details.

Note: Some of the links in this post are affiliate links. When these links are directly used to purchase an item I may receive a small commission and do cartwheels at no extra cost to you. Thank you for your support!

Classic Glassware

Riedel Veritas Tasting Glasses

A set of proper stemware is a wine geek’s dream come true! This line of leaded crystal glass has an elegant presence partly attributed to the thin stems that give them an ultra-luxe feel, yet is dishwasher safe. Honest – I haven’t hand washed a wine glass in years.

Riedel Champagne Flutes

We use Champagne glasses at VinoSocial HQ every week because we’re firm believers that a special occasion isn’t required to pop the cork on a bottle of bubbly! In fact, we’ve been known to indulge in nachos and sparkling wine.

Wine Decanter

In our house we have three decanters, all used regularly, sometimes even simultaneously when we conduct taste comparisons. So if a wine lover you know already has a decanter, they could probably still use another! This one has a nice design that’s easy to hold and pour from.

Wine

If you want to add a little something extra to your gift of classic glassware for wine geeks, every aficionado appreciates a bottle of something special or different. Browse the selection at Wine.com:  Wine Gifts | Carefully chosen for every occasion. While you’re there, check out the Riedel polishing cloth and Repour Wine Saver along with other great wine glass options, and a variety of wonderful Champagne selections. As a special thank you save 10% off your order of $150 or more when you use code JOY150. Offer valid through 12/12/21.

Why a glass polishing cloth? A professional photographer taught me that it’s imperative to carry around a good polishing cloth if you’re going to take pictures of wine glasses and bottles. This is especially true for bloggers who want to post quality images to the Gram!

As for Repour, with the number of wines I evaluate and write about, it’s handy to be able to taste a bottle over several days. This wine preserver is an easy and cost-effective tool that allows me to do so. Wine students and other industry folks can benefit from this tool.

Happy shopping and happy holidays!

Are you familiar with Slow Wine? We’re not talking “all natural,” or “clean,” wine which are basically marketing gimmicks anyway. Some might use the term sustainable, but even winemakers can’t seem to agree on what that means. So, let’s talk about Slow Wine and touch on what it really means and why it matters. Then, I’ll reveal a dozen wineries in Washington where you can find Slow Wine and, lastly, provide additional resources for those who wish to take a deeper dive.

What is Slow Wine?

My summer was dedicated to visiting and interviewing Washington wineries and tasting wines for The Slow Wine Guide USA 2022. In this quest I’ve encountered properties where draft horses work the vineyards, marmots help fertilize the vines, and exciting varieties like Madeleine Angevine, Gruner Veltliner, and Sagrantino grow. While words like “lively” and “vibrant” permeate my tasting notes, there are also comments such as, “More please!” and, “Savory for days.” In other words, these are delectable wines.

Continue reading “Let’s Talk About Slow Wine”