Gifts That Age Well

What do you give someone with a new or long-standing interest in wine? Here are a few suggestions.

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Books

“Wine for Dummies” by Mary Ewing Mulligan and Ed McCarthy (IDG Books, $19.99). You might want to, ahem, cover the book in a brown paper wrapper. The handy introductory guide does exactly what it promises: It deciphers the bewildering world of wine and leads the wine novice along in a sensible, reassuring voice. Written by two leading wine educators, it is newly revised, with hundreds of wine recommendations.

“Bordeaux” by Robert M. Parker Jr. (Simon & Schuster, $50). The latest edition of the classic Bordeaux reference by America’s leading wine critic. Bordeaux is where Parker first made his impact felt and where he’s at his best. (Do check first to make sure your wine gift-intended hasn’t already rushed out and bought a copy the minute it came out.)

“A Companion to California Wine” by Charles L. Sullivan (University of California Press). Just the book for someone who likes to pull odd facts out of the hat. Read all about the history and the figures behind California’s wine country in brief, erudite entries arranged alphabetically.

“Italian Wines 1998” (Gambero Rosso Editore, $24.95). This English-language edition of the influential guide to Italian wines is perfect for the Italian wine and food buff. It includes reviews of 8,500 wines from 1,400 wineries and includes all those awarded this year’s Tre Bicchieri, the coveted Three Glasses award. Available at most fine wine shops.

“Tasting Pleasure: Confessions of a Wine Lover” by Jancis Robinson, (Viking, $24.95). Robinson, editor of the Oxford Companion to Wine (and contributing correspondent to the Los Angeles Times wine page), recounts her coming of age in the wine trade with wonderful stories, shrewd observations and a disarming sense of humor. From one of the most respected wine writers on the scene.

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Glasses, Cellar Gear and Stocking Stuffers

Riedel Zinfandel/Chianti glass, Vinum series (retail $20 each; discounted to as low as $12). The best single all-purpose glass for both whites and reds from the centuries-old Austrian glassworks, Riedel, which pioneered the study of how the shape of a glass can affect a wine’s taste. The graceful lead crystal glass has an exquisite thin lip but is a luxury sturdy enough to be appreciated every day. Available at most fine wine shops in the Los Angeles area.

Dominus decanter with crystal stopper. Also from Riedel, the handsome single model is $199 retail but available discounted as low as $110; the magnum decanter, normally $295, can be found as low as $175. Available at wine stores that carry Riedel glasses.

Wine bucket. Nothing looks more festive than a couple of bottles of Champagne chilling in a double wine bucket. Pottery Barn has one big enough to hold three or more bottles in silver-plated brass that can be monogrammed with up to three initials. Catalog only, No. 40-2068757 ($119); (800) 922-5507. Order by Dec. 21 for Christmas delivery.

The basic wine rack. The classic French collapsible metal model, great for the back of the closet or a corner of the pantry or hallway (the kitchen is too warm for storing wines effectively) is a modest investment for the pleasure it gives. For a more impressive effect, add enough interesting bottles to fill out a row or two. Available from Williams-Sonoma catalog. 12-bottle wine rack, $36; 35-bottle rack, $42; 150-bottle rack, $96. (800) 541-2233.

The works. Jean France Mercier builds wine cellars for a stellar list of Hollywood oenophiles. His cellar storage is so ingeniously designed that when the 1994 temblor hit, not one of Mercier’s clients lost a bottle. Since then, he’s devised an earthquake locking device to secure bottles inside the wine rack. Not inexpensive. You can reach him at Tixa Custom Wine Cellar, (213) 650-1829.

A cellar book from Soolip Paperie in West Hollywood (8646 Melrose Ave., [310] 360-0545). Well, this posh paper store doesn’t really have anything that’s called a cellar book per se. What it does have is a collection of gorgeous handmade books filled with intriguing papers and in a variety of sizes. If you really want to lay it on thick, include a fountain pen and a bottle of burgundy-colored ink. (Handmade blank books $40 to $200.)

Gel-filled plastic wine cooler. A stocking stuffer that really works to cool down bottles fast. Chill it in the freezer for six hours, then wrap it around an unchilled bottle of wine. It will also keep bottles cold for a couple of hours. Williams-Sonoma has them decorated with French artist Guy Buffet’s portrait of a bartender (set of two, $24). An unadorned version is available at most wine shops too, for considerably less.

Extra-long monogrammed boxwood corks. These are stocking stuffers that solve the problem of how to get the cork back into the bottle. Meant to be used again and again, they’re tapered to make the job easier. Available for $16 per set of three from Williams-Sonoma catalog. (800) 541-2233.

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Groovy Wines in the Mail

Instead of flowers or coffees of the month, why not send wine? Dan Philips, who brings in a slew of mostly Australian wines from artisanal producers Down Under, offers two wine-of-the-month programs through his mail-order company, the Grateful Palate. The first delivers two bottles of wine to your door each month. “My choice from artisan producers from around the world. You pay. I send. You drink. It’s that easy,” he explains. (The program is $38 per month, tax and shipping included, or $410 per year for a 10% savings.) His Syrah of the Month Club offers a different bottle of Syrah each month from all over the world: Australia, California, Italy, France. (Price varies from $18 to $40 per bottle, billed monthly.) Call (888) 472-5283; (888) GPALATE; fax (805) 278-9085; or surf https://www.gratefulpalate.com