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A Survivor’s Guide for Vinous Gifting ^©
By Michael Vaughan • Weekly Wine & Spirits Columnist
Saturday, December 8^th, 2001

Last year’s best buy guide appeared on December 16^th perhaps just a tad late for some shoppers. So this year I’m coming out earlier with my oenophile gift-shopping guide.

Up until recently, there’s been a dearth of detailed up-to-date books on the Pacific Northwest.  This new 8x10” volume Wines of the Pacific Northwest: A contemporary guide to the wines, regions and producers by Lisa Sara Hall is most welcome.  The 192 pages are filled with everything from detailed maps to photographs, a virtual treasure trove of information, making it indispensable for anyone wanting to explore the wines of this area.  There are excellent thumbnail sketches of individual Washington and Oregon wineries, region by region along with the telephone number, email and even website address.  Published by Mitchell Beazley in the UK and distributed by McArthur and Company, this excellent resource gets a big thumbs-up Vintage Assessments “Recommendation” for Xmas gift giving.  The price is $60.

Last year I explored corkscrews pointing out that for many years Screwpull ruled the day. Indeed, I was upset with some price hikes and suggested that the producers were doing to the consumer exactly what they have done to countless millions of corks.  Nevertheless, I still recommend Screwpull as a fine corkscrew.

I also noted that a terrifically priced, brand new product on the market would be worth exploring ~ the Trudeau Corkscrew at only $99.99 (in a gift metal box with a foil cutter).  I unfortunately suggested that it might be comparable, if not superior, to the luxury Screwpull Leverpull “Deluxe” at $299.  Well talk about screwing up ~ I was wrong!  The Trudeau unit gave up the ghost within three months of use ~ in addition, two of the four cutters fell off the foil remover. 

I personally took the unit back to the Trudeau sales representative who admitted that there were mechanical problems with the unit and promised to replace it (it came with a guarantee).  To date, some four months later, it still hasn’t shown up.  Give this one a thumbs-down.  Let me know if you have had the similar problems.

What I should have told you about was the Metrokane Rabbit.  It has worked flawlessly over the part four months.  Moreover, it easily adapts to a wider array of bottles than the Trudeau model and is extremely easy and comfortable to use with a soft, velvety rubber handle.  All in all, this unit at $99 is “Recommended” by Vintage Assessments for Xmas gift giving. (www.metrokane.com)

For those just looking for a bottle of wine, I have 2 selections from the Classics Catalogue Fall/Winter 2001 (see the tasting notes below).  

Red Table Wine
USA – Oregon
A Vintage Assessments Explorer’s Selection
942490 Pinot Noir Reserve 1998                                                    $56
(Cristom Vineyards) (17 Cases) (13.5%) [Du Cha]         **/**+ (out of 3)
Somewhat light medium red colour.  Very spicy, gently cedary, cherry and red pepper purée nose.  Spicy, very pleasant, well integrated, bright, tangy, red cherry and red currant flavours.  Enjoyable, quite refined Côte de Nuits style and ready to enjoy.

Italy
Recommended by Vintage Assessments
736934 Monferrato Countacc! 1997                                               $32
DOC (Michele Chiarlo)                                                         ** (out of 3)
(80 Cases) (13.5%) [Cip Win]
Complex, very earthy, sandalwood, licorice and prunes with a hint of bret.  Very dry and intense with youthful, peppery, dried plum and green bean flavours that call out for a rare rib steak.  Solid, lingering finish.

Copyright Food & Beverage Testing Institute of Canada 2004
Prior written permission is required for any form of reproduction
 (electronic or other wise) and or quotation.
Contact Michael Vaughan at
mbv@total.net