Sexta 09/12/2011 AndyPerdue&EricDegermani

VINHODOPORTO

THENEWS TRIBUNE (ONLINE)

UNUSUALGIFTSFOREVERYWINELOVER
WearegettingclosertoChristmas,sonowisagreat time to start thinking about what to get for that wineloveronyourlist. Youcantaketheeasywayandbuyabottleortwoof wine, or you can find something fun, interesting, unusualandNorthwestinstyle. No. 1: Float. Westport Winery in Aberdeen, Wash., hascomeoutwithoneofthe mostunusualbottles of wine weve seen. Its called Float, and its a fortified dessert wine in a bottle shaped like a Japanese glass float. The cost is $50. Hurry if you wantthisbecausethewineryishandbottlingthese asfastasitcantokeepupwiththefloodoforders. Call(360)6482224. No. 2: Personalized wine. Northwest Cellars in Kirkland, Wash., will make a customized wine label foryouandputitonitsawardwinningwines.Ifyou wantNorthwestCellarstodesignthelabel,thereisa onetime $85 setup fee, plus the cost of the wine ($14 to $33 per bottle, depending on the wine). Or you can design your own label and avoid the extra fee.Thereisnominimumorder.Turnaroundtimeis aboutaweek. No. 3: Helicopter wine tour. Flying M Air offers helicopter winery tours around Wenatchee, Quincy andGeorge,Wash.,visitingsuchwineriesasMartin Scott,Beaumont,MalagaSpringsandCaveB. FlyingMcantakeuptothreepassengersatatime, with a twoperson minimum. Cost starts at $95 per person.Call(928)2310196. No. 4: Wine barrel furniture. Northwest craftsmen are converting used wine barrels into all kinds of furniture, including bar stools, benches, coat racks, tables and Adirondack chairs. Don Redman of Mannina Cellars (5092002366) in Walla Walla makes Adirondacks, and Vinoture in Montana (vinoture.net)makesawiderangeofitems. No. 5: Chocolate wine. Wine purists might cringe, but chocolate lovers will rejoice at a wine brand called Chocolate Shop, owned by Precept Wines in Seattle (they also own Sawtooth Estate Winery in Nampa). The chocolateflavored wine comes in three styles: red, strawberry and creme de cocoa. They are sold at Albertsons, Fred Meyer, Cost Plus and the Boise Coopandusuallycostabout$12to$15perbottle. No. 6: Spirited Apple Wine. For something unusual and regional, check out Finnriver Farm & Cidery on WashingtonsOlympicPeninsula.Fortheholidays,it has released its Spirited Apple Wine, made with organic Washington apples and fortified with apple brandy. Its a dessert wine, and costs $25 a bottle. Finnriver is near Chimacum, 10 miles south of Port Townsend.Call3607326822.
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Sexta 09/12/2011 AndyPerdue&EricDegermani

VINHODOPORTO

THENEWS TRIBUNE (ONLINE)

No. 7: Personal wineofthemonth club. Here is a way to cater to a friend or family members wine interests and share your knowledge at the same time: Create a personal wineofthemonth club. Selectawinefromyourcellar,writeaonepagenote on why you picked it out and maybe even offer a couple of foodpairing thoughts. Wrap it and put it underthetree,alongwithanoteexplainingthatyou willselectawineeachmonthforthenextyear. The recipient will be delighted by the personal nature and thoughtfulness. This works best if you liveneartherecipient,asshippingacrossstatelines canbeapain. No. 8: Wine club membership. Does the personalized idea sound like too much work? Buy a oneyear membership to a wine club from your favorite winery. Depending on the winery, your recipient might receive wine monthly or quarterly. Lookforwineriesthatproducewinesspecificallyfor clubmembers. Washingtons Chateau Ste. Michelle, for example, produces limitedrelease wines primarily for wine clubmembers,asdoesBarnardGriffin. And many wineries offer benefits to wine club members that include special parties, exclusive tastings and other events. Costs vary depending on thewinery.