Wine X Vol 3.2
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Wines of the Zodiac
The Star’s Guide to Gift Giving
by Christopher Fehlinger
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One of the more common uses of astrology is as a tool for gaining insight into other people. Nowhere is this more useful than in trying to decide on the perfect gift for someone — something they’ll really appreciate. So with the holidays in mind, here’s your Zodiac guide to gifts for the wine lover in your life.
Aries — Rams tend to appreciate gifts they can use or enjoy right away. So buying them wines to cellar or a gift membership to a wine of the month club isn’t a great idea. Robust young reds and oaky chardonnays are two good thoughts along with some sparkling wine to celebrate New Year’s. Also, throw in a some accessories, such as sturdy, versatile glassware. They’ll love ya forever.
Taurus — These folks like comfort and sensual pleasure. Hearty, simple wines and wines of Italy appeal to them. Taureans love food, so make a basket of wine and cheese if you’re visiting for the holidays. They also love toys, so consider some of the fancy openers you see in wine catalogues. Since Taurus can sometimes get stuck in a rut with the same wines, you might also go the other route and get them a bottle you know they’d never try on their own.
Gemini — Whatever you do, buy them two gifts — one for each side of their famously split personality. Buy some wine and something to put it in. Or buy them an assortment of wines and some wine books to accompany. They love to learn, so books are a good idea in general. Magazine subscriptions — an even better option. (Geminis have notoriously short attention spans.) They may also enjoy a tasting class, especially if it’s run by a restaurant or wine bar.
Cancer — This sign rules the home, so just about anything they can use to store or show wine or drink it with would be appreciated. Wine racks, glasses, openers and decanters are all great ideas, especially if they’re antiques or look old (but not shoddy). Cancer’s love for old things means a nice bottle of vintage Port or some aged single-malt Scotch will go over quite well.
Leo — Leos love getting presents. What these presents are matters, so if you’re feeling lavish, nothing would thrill them more than a magnum of Champagne. On a simpler note, a nice bottle of Italian red or California cabernet would also do nicely. You can even take them out to dinner at a nice restaurant — Leos will remember a good time and the people with whom they shared it.
Virgo — Virgos are hard to buy for because they want not only something really useful but something with strong visual appeal, too. A nice sculptural wine rack to display a few bottles would be one thought for them. Wine encyclopedias or buying guides is another. Virgos are great students, so they’d appreciate classes in wine or cooking. And remember the Champagne for New Year’s Eve.
Libra — This sign rules beauty so whatever it is, wrap it nicely — no one else appreciates a good bow as much as Libra. Buy them some beautiful glassware or a bottle of really rich, floral dessert wine. Also consider coffee table books with lots of photographs. Austrian or Argentine wines and wines with very rich berry and spice flavors are favorites of this sign.
Scorpio — Go for the esoteric. As the traditional rulers of the wine trade, who else could appreciate a set of Alsatian glasses or a wicker wine cradle. Port tongs? Tastevins? Of course, everyone needs these. For these rulers of the underground, consider a book on designing or building a wine cellar. Of course, there’s always Bordeaux and Napa cabernets. On a budget? They also love Moroccan wine and hard-to-find things from anywhere.
Sagittarius — This is the travel sign, so if you can’t afford to buy them a trip (and who can?) then do the next best thing and buy them some books about wine regions. Or treat them to a wine class featuring wines from a far-away place. Sagittarius is also associated with Spain and Australia, so you have many wine-buying options as well. This sign is always on the go, so skip the delicate stemware and go for the flask instead.
Capricorn — This sign has a great respect for time. They appreciate wine that can age or will cellar gracefully. They’re great investors, so they’d love something that may become valuable over time, even if it’s just a single bottle. On a more lavish note, vintage Port or Champagne is a great gift idea because they can enjoy them now or later. Maybe even a Vac-U-Vin or case of Private Reserve Wine Preserver to save the wines they’ve opened.
Aquarius — These folks tend to like the unusual, so consider wines in funky bottles and wines that have very unusual flavors. (California field blends, Alsatian whites, Sardinian reds… anything weird.) As they’re the sign of technology and progress, consider buying these folks an elaborate wine opener. Or how about some wine cellar software for their computer to keep track of their inventory.
Pisces — Pisces like magic and romance in their gifts. Consider some Champagne, and throw in some candles and a Chet Baker CD, too. They like pretty and delicate things, so maybe buy some nice sherry or grappa glasses. They’re also fond of strong wines, such as Amarone, zinfandel and Port. Remember: gifts mean a lot to them, so chose wisely.
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