Ok, peeps – just in time (and plenty of it) for the holidays, we’ve got another giveaway coming at ya!

This week, one lucky commenter will be selected at random to win a pretty spiffy personalized wine gift box (a $45 retail value) from www.personalizedwineboxes.com!

Pictured at left, these wine gift boxes look pretty darn spiffy, and could make a very nice edition to your holiday gift list ( even if, like me, you primarily considered something like this a gift to yourself… you selfish little thing, you…).

Anyway…

Here’s the deal: In one week, I will randomly select a winner from the comments who will be able to design their own personalized wine box! The only catch being that you need to live in the U.S. (I’ve also been asked to add the disclaimer “wine not included” – but if you couldn’t figure that one out on your own then you have problems deeper than can be solved with wine alone).

Our comment topic? What’s the coolest ‘wine gift’ you’ve ever received?  Shout ‘em out!

To get us started here’s my pick…

Read the rest of this stuff »

• 09 Grafen Neipperg Muskateller Halbtrocken (Württemberg): Like having a date over a tangy lychee martini, that end with a sweet kiss. $22 B- ->
• 08 Wish Nouveau Pinot Noir (North Coast): Gr8 concept but this dried cherry & smoked bacon juggling act never really finds its groove $20 C+ ->
• 09 Finca Lasierpe Garnacha Rosado (Navarra): Capably & uncomplicatedly comfortable in its own pink, red berry & somewhat meaty skin. $7 C+ ->
• 08 Tikal "Amorio" Malbec (Mendoza): Simultaneously dark (in color), bright (in red & black fruit) & spicy. Bring on the flank steak! $30 B+ ->
• 04 Conti Sertoli Salis Corte Della Meridiana (Valtellina Superiore): A raisin-y, spicy, earthy & eminently tasty take on Nebbiolo. $39 B+ ->
• 07 Chateau Montelena Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley): Leather, vanilla, & just about every type of cherry flavor you could think of. $49 B+ ->
• NV Vigne Regali Cuvee Aurora Rose (Alta Langa): Sparkling tale of vanilla, bread and roses. Is there anything that N. Italy can't do? $30 B ->
• 08 Las Perdices Reserva Pinot Noir (Mendoza): Spice, Earth, Flowers & Red Berry Compote walk into a bar. The bartender says… $21 B ->
• Quevedo Special Reserve Tawny Port (Porto): Nothing tawdry about this Tawny; honey, smoke, burnt caramel, spices & dried *everything*. $15 B ->

Greetings, oh-so-recently-stuffed-to-the-gills gourmands!

Rather than hand out badges and ratings this long holiday weekend, I am taking a slightly different angle on the wine recommendations in honor of the most-dreaded of post-holiday excursions: shopping on Black Friday.

Today, you can head over to The Wine Crush Blog anytime after 9:30 AM CT and read my (acerbic) take on what wines to pair with your Black Friday shopping!

For those of you who are humorless (which in all likelihood are those of you who’ve stumbled onto this blog accidentally while searching for wine magazine subscriptions on Google), please note that today’s article on The Wine Crush Blog is not meant in any way to resemble any writing even remotely meant to be serious.

I hope you enjoy the edgy-but-humorous diversion as your body slowly purges itself of tryptophan!

Cheers!

In the latest Going Pro series installment, I talk about what works (and doesn’t work!) for advertising on wine blogs.  Why? Because YOU asked for it!

I also engage in some very, very strange dancing behavior which I hope doesn’t offend anyone. (Sorry!).

Have a safe & happy Turkey Day, people!

Mentioned in this episode:

• Palate Press Ad Network

Cheers!