If you are like me, then you are still out shopping for Christmas gifts. Naturally, I do most of my shopping on the computer. Not meaning to, I've stumbled across several wine related gifts I had to share.
Games for the Wine "Expert"
The following games are for fans of wine over the age of 21. Any of these gifts will give the players the chance to show off their knowledge of wine (or lack of). Read reviews at the bottom of product page for an idea of how the games are played.
Wine Wars: A Trivia Game for Wine Geeks and Wannabes
: This game is described by the publisher as "..fun and fascinating trivia game tests your knowledge of the fruit of the vine. Let the battle begin as players answer questions in categories such as Vine to Vino (growing grapes, making wine, and world production), Wine Cellar (selecting, storing, and tasting wine), and Cork Culture (wine people, business, arts and science, and trivia). Perfect for those new to the world of wine, but challenging enough for the devoted oenophile, Wine Wars will have you swirling, sniffing, and sipping your way to vinicultural victory." Price: $13.57
Wineopoly
The manufacturer says: "Pop the cork off any gathering with WINEOPOLY. Players buy favorite wines, collect bunch of grapes and trade them in for decanters. Sounds easy enough but add import taxes and serving faux pas and it becomes a little more difficult and a lot more fun. Learn while you play. Each deed back contains wine descriptors and fun facts about each wine. It's all fun and games until you're sent to the wine cellar to age and then you're out of the game for three turns. So choose your token (wine bottle, cork, wine glass, cheese, grapes, or a carafe) and advance to cheers." Price $19.99
ALL YOU NEED IS WINE - a blind wine tasting party game!
The publisher says, "Designed for people of all wine knowledge levels, this blind wine tasting party game allows players to learn and practice the 5 S's of Wine Tasting: Sight, Swirl, Smell, Sip, and Savor. Players blind taste each wine and use the Tasting Tip Sheets to record their tasting notes on custom designed Tasting Note Sheets. Players then guess each wine's grape varietal and tally the results. What better way to host a fun party while expanding your wine knowledge?! Ideal for parties of any size!" Looks like a popular item, all the reviews were positive. Price $29.99
Cork Jester's Wine Teasers Wine Game We're always looking for a fun game to play with friends at home. This one looks like just the ticket. REVIEW: "Urban Vintage By PETER HELLMAN. A witty wine blogger, Jennifer Rosen, also known as the Cork Jester, has partnered with wine-loving librarian Stefan Smith to create a wine game that combines elements of Trivial Pursuit and Monopoly. And it's been cunningly devised so that wine nerds and neophytes can play together. If a player can't directly answer a wine trivia question, a hint is offered. Each correct answer leads to a "cellar step," which allows the player to select a wine bottle card for your cellar or to loot a bottle from the opposing team's cellar. The first team to accumulate six bottle cards wins."Price $12.95
Murder Mystery Party - A Taste for Wine and Murder
Hold your own murder mystery party at home. The reviews are positive and this sounds like something I could pull off with friends, with a lot of planning. Product description: "This annual wine-tasting festival is in full swing when the body of local vineyard owner, Barry Underwood, is found hidden beneath his wine cellar. Comes with a complete party planner, invitations, costume and menu suggestions, clues and more! Mystery dinner party game for 6 to 8 players." Price $19.17
Wine Thermometers
I've been asked many times, "At what temperature should I server my wine?" Well, now I have to ask, "How do you know your wine is at that proper temperature?" With a wine thermomenter of course! A wine thermometer is the perfect stocking stuffer for your wine friends. They probably don't own one. I don't own one...
Taylor 505 Connoissuer Line Digital Wine Thermometer Price $7.95
Vinotemp VT-BOTTLETHERM Wine Bottle Clip Style Thermometer
Price $13.53
Digital Wine Thermometer w/Stopper, E599SJ Price $16.69
Black Velvet Digital Wine Thermometer Price $21.10
Menu Fahrenheit Wine Thermometer Price $27.90
Ozeri Maestro Electric Wine Opener with Infrared Wine Thermometer and Digital LCD Display -- Ultimate Wine Gift on Sale Price $79.99
And Finally, Some Recommended Reading
The Wine Snob's Dictionary: An Essential Lexicon of Oenological Knowledge
: One reviewer wrote: "I read this in two sittings and not only did I learn a whole bunch of wine terminology but I couldn't stop laughing the whole time. How refreshing to read a book that gives us ordinary folk a crack at understanding the beauty of wine. Kudos to Mr. Lynch and Mr. Kamp!" Price $9.32
That's all I have for today. At least a couple of these items made it on my wish list. Cheers!
Games for the Wine "Expert"
The following games are for fans of wine over the age of 21. Any of these gifts will give the players the chance to show off their knowledge of wine (or lack of). Read reviews at the bottom of product page for an idea of how the games are played.
Wine Wars: A Trivia Game for Wine Geeks and Wannabes
: This game is described by the publisher as "..fun and fascinating trivia game tests your knowledge of the fruit of the vine. Let the battle begin as players answer questions in categories such as Vine to Vino (growing grapes, making wine, and world production), Wine Cellar (selecting, storing, and tasting wine), and Cork Culture (wine people, business, arts and science, and trivia). Perfect for those new to the world of wine, but challenging enough for the devoted oenophile, Wine Wars will have you swirling, sniffing, and sipping your way to vinicultural victory." Price: $13.57Wineopoly
The manufacturer says: "Pop the cork off any gathering with WINEOPOLY. Players buy favorite wines, collect bunch of grapes and trade them in for decanters. Sounds easy enough but add import taxes and serving faux pas and it becomes a little more difficult and a lot more fun. Learn while you play. Each deed back contains wine descriptors and fun facts about each wine. It's all fun and games until you're sent to the wine cellar to age and then you're out of the game for three turns. So choose your token (wine bottle, cork, wine glass, cheese, grapes, or a carafe) and advance to cheers." Price $19.99ALL YOU NEED IS WINE - a blind wine tasting party game!
The publisher says, "Designed for people of all wine knowledge levels, this blind wine tasting party game allows players to learn and practice the 5 S's of Wine Tasting: Sight, Swirl, Smell, Sip, and Savor. Players blind taste each wine and use the Tasting Tip Sheets to record their tasting notes on custom designed Tasting Note Sheets. Players then guess each wine's grape varietal and tally the results. What better way to host a fun party while expanding your wine knowledge?! Ideal for parties of any size!" Looks like a popular item, all the reviews were positive. Price $29.99Cork Jester's Wine Teasers Wine Game We're always looking for a fun game to play with friends at home. This one looks like just the ticket. REVIEW: "Urban Vintage By PETER HELLMAN. A witty wine blogger, Jennifer Rosen, also known as the Cork Jester, has partnered with wine-loving librarian Stefan Smith to create a wine game that combines elements of Trivial Pursuit and Monopoly. And it's been cunningly devised so that wine nerds and neophytes can play together. If a player can't directly answer a wine trivia question, a hint is offered. Each correct answer leads to a "cellar step," which allows the player to select a wine bottle card for your cellar or to loot a bottle from the opposing team's cellar. The first team to accumulate six bottle cards wins."Price $12.95
Murder Mystery Party - A Taste for Wine and Murder
Hold your own murder mystery party at home. The reviews are positive and this sounds like something I could pull off with friends, with a lot of planning. Product description: "This annual wine-tasting festival is in full swing when the body of local vineyard owner, Barry Underwood, is found hidden beneath his wine cellar. Comes with a complete party planner, invitations, costume and menu suggestions, clues and more! Mystery dinner party game for 6 to 8 players." Price $19.17Wine Thermometers
I've been asked many times, "At what temperature should I server my wine?" Well, now I have to ask, "How do you know your wine is at that proper temperature?" With a wine thermomenter of course! A wine thermometer is the perfect stocking stuffer for your wine friends. They probably don't own one. I don't own one...
Taylor 505 Connoissuer Line Digital Wine Thermometer Price $7.95
Vinotemp VT-BOTTLETHERM Wine Bottle Clip Style Thermometer
Price $13.53Digital Wine Thermometer w/Stopper, E599SJ Price $16.69
Black Velvet Digital Wine Thermometer Price $21.10
Menu Fahrenheit Wine Thermometer Price $27.90
Ozeri Maestro Electric Wine Opener with Infrared Wine Thermometer and Digital LCD Display -- Ultimate Wine Gift on Sale Price $79.99
And Finally, Some Recommended Reading
The Wine Snob's Dictionary: An Essential Lexicon of Oenological Knowledge
: One reviewer wrote: "I read this in two sittings and not only did I learn a whole bunch of wine terminology but I couldn't stop laughing the whole time. How refreshing to read a book that gives us ordinary folk a crack at understanding the beauty of wine. Kudos to Mr. Lynch and Mr. Kamp!" Price $9.32That's all I have for today. At least a couple of these items made it on my wish list. Cheers!