Wine goes down well as a gift

Tom Shea, manager of Joseph’s Beverage Center, said people will buy pricey champagne to give as a gift, even though they would not buy it for themselves.

“The biggest day of the year is New Year’s Eve because everyone is rushing in and getting something to drink, to toast; either champagne or liquor or wine,” he said.

The most expensive are the French champagnes.

“French Bordeaux run up to a $1,000 a bottle,” Shea said. “A lot of French champagnes are in the $100 to $200 range.”

But there are cheaper alternatives.

“There’s a lot of inexpensive stuff from Australia,” he said. “There’s a lot of nice wine at reasonable prices. It all depends on who you are giving it to and what they like.”

Shea is offering a special on Baileys Irish Crème Liquor for the holidays, $15.99 a bottle.

“We can recommend something … that was rated highly by wine magazines out there, wine spectators and wine enthusiasts,” he said. “We show them ones that got high ratings, and the person they’re buying for would probably like it.”

Shea said wine makes good gifts for the office. Employers buy several cases of Martini & Rossi Asti, for example, and give it to their employees. He said red and white wines are popular, too.

“One thing about wine as a gift, it’s not like turkey,” he said. “You’ll use it at some point, either at New Year’s Eve, Valentine’s Day or another time.”

Beer & Wine Cave, 4400 Heatherdowns Blvd., also has special holiday specials on wines and beers.

“We have great relationships with our beer distributors,” said manager Matt Snyder.

For example, Blitzen Holiday Ale, from Maumee Bay Brewing Company, is released specifically during the holidays. A bottle costs $3.50, and has hints of honey, cinnamon and orange peel.

Another limited release is Christmas Ale from Great Lakes Brewing Company, which costs $10.99 for a six-pack.

“We have great wines that are unique and hard-to-find beers,” Snyder said. “We have highly elated wines that are not available everywhere.”

Customers can save 10 percent by customizing their favorite wines in a case.

“We allow people to mix and match and create their own custom case,” he said.

Beer & Wine Cave, which opened in May 2007, gives customers the chance to taste different wines and beers before purchasing.

“We’re the only store in Northwest Ohio that offers weekly wine and beer tasting,” Snyder said.

Tastings are Thursdays at 6 p.m., $10 for beer tasting and $15 for wine tasting.

For the holidays, there are special holiday tasting events: Dec. 18, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., and Dec. 23 and 30 will feature sparkling wine and champagne.

“Forget the milk, these are the beers that Santa wants with his cookies,” Snyder said. “People have been drinking wines and beers for centuries,” Snyder said. “I don’t think people should drink to get drunk, but to enhance the food they like. The right bottle of wine can really enhance the food’s quality.”