Wine Basket by Spotrick
Should you have a friend who appreciates wine and good food, don’t bother with sending a book or some such thing. Alimentary treats are always the best for the food lover. What better way to satisfy the twin urges of food and wine than to put together a wine gift basket, with all the trimmings?
Wine: the Center
Wine Gift Basket by mothernaturebeauty
The central component of a wine basket is, of course, the wine. To add variety to your gift, include two different styles of wine. An ideal pairing would be a white and red wine, perhaps a sweeter white and a drier red. If possible, include three bottles with the extra bottle as a sparkling wine. Of course, the choice is yours based on the recipient’s tastes and preferences. But such pairings provides a good point from which to start.
Accessories: the Satellites
In spite of the attempts of some, man cannot live by wine alone. Even the best wine is better when surrounded by a delicious supporting cast. One of the classic choices is cheese. A good cheese will complement most anything except fish and works exceptionally well with wine. Classic French cheeses such as Brie and Camembert add marvelous flavor. A natural side to include with the cheese is crackers or some sort of toast points. What is the point of the cheese if there is nothing on which to serve it?
Brie de Melun by chez loulou
Finally, chocolate always works well. It can cut through the tannins of a dry wine or match the sweetness of a lighter glass. Darker or lighter, milk or not, the chocolate can be paired or contrasted with the wine as you like.
But these represent just the beginning of the possibilities. Imagination is the limit, matching the tastes of the receiver. Once you’ve procured your basket and a bit of padding to keep the contents from shifting too much, begin building your gift basket. The only response will be thanks, and maybe an invitation to sample a glass.
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