by Laurene Sorensen, Moscow Food Co-op Board of Directors
Wine season is in full swing, and the Co-op has you covered with a great selection of all your favorites. Read on for some fun seasonal gift ideas!
From now through New Year’s, wine makes the perfect hostess present. Add a bow, grab and go. Keep some extra bottles on hand for those “oops” moments when someone stops by with a present for you and you didn’t get them anything, but do have some La Riojana under the sink and a cute sack to put it in (the Co-op sells those too!).
Here are a few creative wine gift ideas:
Pair wine and protein. Cheese is traditional, but meat works, too. How about a ribeye steak and some Shiraz or Cabernet? A turkey and Beaujolais Nouveau or rosé? A duck and Pinot Noir?
Make a brunch kit. Prosecco and orange juice equal mimosas. Add bagels, cream cheese, smoked salmon, freshly ground coffee, and seasonal fruit.
Give bottles of one varietal from multiple countries. Or, if a friend is planning a trip to a wine-growing region in the United States or abroad, help them acclimate by introducing them to the local product.
Spotlight one producer, such as La Riojana (they’re a co-op too!), Maryhill, Indian Creek, or Colter’s Creek. Mix it up by giving multiple vintages of the same varietal, or wines from different price points in a producer’s line.
If you have a basket with a lid, you can make a gift hamper in the grand style. Inspiration can be found here: https://www.fortnumandmason.com/t/categories/hampers/themes/wine-hampers
Keep an eye out for in-store wine promotions. Broaden your knowledge at Tasteful Thursdays —the first three Thursdays of December from 4-6 p.m.— and at in-house tasting events, where bottles are often offered at a discount. And don’t be shy about asking our wine buyer, Peg Kingery, for suggestions to complement your menu or budget.
See you at the wine aisle of the Co-op!