Gifts to please wine lovers, or winemakers
From an artisan leather wine bag to a stylish decanter, these gifts will jolly-up the wine lover — or maybe it’s a winemaker? — on your list.
And if you’ve got a monthly wine club in mind, consider giving a gift certificate to Milwaukee-based Bright Cellars, where subscribers are matched to wines by way of an online quiz.
Here’s the list of possibilities: William’s Home Winery ($159.99). For someone contemplating making wine at home, this is a good place to start. The kit includes everything from the necessary equipment to the grape concentrate. Eleven different varietals are available, from Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon and Pinot Noir to Chardonand nay and Riesling. Add a bench corker for $49.99 and 100 natural corks for $19.99.
Order at williamsbrewing.com. Or call (800) 759-6025.
Handmade leather wine bag from Scarred for Life ($60). These unique bags — think boho chic — are made in Bay View by leather worker Jen Loberg. There are two styles, one laced and the other riveted, and they are available in a variety of colors including brown, black, blue, red and green. Each one is designed to hold one bottle.
You’ll find them area shops including Barcelona Artful Living and Salon Thor & Boutique in Bay View, and Bohemia Home Design in Cedarburg, Or order at scarredforlifebags.com.
MAKO glass wine decanter (about $20). Everyone can use a decanter. This one, which holds a 750 ml bottle of wine, has a simple, modern style with a ballshaped cork to keep dust and the occasional fruit fly out. The mouth is designed for drip-free pouring. Whether you’re buying for a connoisseur or a fledgling, this is a nice gift.
Order at Amazon or at MakoBar ware.com.
Bright Cellars monthly wine club ($75 for four bottles/one month. Price includes shipping.)
Here’s a wine club well-suited to enthusiasts just starting to explore wines. Subscribers take a quick online quiz that uses a machine-learning algorithm to predict preferences. Wines matched to those preferences are sent out each month. The subscription allows you to skip a month or cancel anytime.
Purchase a subscription at bright cellars.com.
VinniBag ($29.99). Any wine-loving traveler will appreciate this inflatable reusable travel bag designed to protect a bottle of wine in checked baggage. It can also be used for other bottled liquids such as perfume or olive oil. (And you might give it a try as a bath pillow.) It stores flat when deflated.
Order at Amazon.com or vinnibag. com.