Christmas has arrives also this year…
As always, I become crazy to find the right Christmas presents for friends and relatives as soon as possible. I think I am not the only one, given the nervous crowd strolling around. Thus this year I surfed the net to have some hints and to see which are the most wished Christmas presents. Clearly, the most required Christmas presents concern the wonderful world of Hi-Tech but I have been surprised to see food and wine in the second position!
Guess if you can create a tailor made present right for all your friends and relatives?
Tailor made Christmas Gift Baskets
The right solution could be to revise the traditional idea of the Christmas gift baskets that can be useful and funny if refilled in the right way. Think carefully of who are giving the basket to and do not built them randomly: be precise and follow the tastes of who will receive it. A quick solution can be to mix different bottles of wine, like a white wine, a red wine, a Passito and a bunch of mustards.
You can create different pairings with diverse products: a pocket of Pasta Garofalo (Gragnano pasta), a piece of Parmigiano-reggiano DOP, matured for 48 or 60 months and a sauce as you like. Or you can pair a Pesto Genovese with a Vermentino wine or a Pigato della Riviera di Ponente wine. If you prefer a tomato sauce, for example, choose a Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi Riserva DOCG that with its body and its minerality you will make a good impression.
To not get wrong, you can choose an aperitif basket: small pieces of toasted bread or craft breadsticks, some Christmas sauce or some in oil food and pickles. But also pistachios or toasted peanut and obviously a perfumed and sparkling Spumante as a Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore DOCG or, why not, a Franciacorta DOCG.
Dulcis in fundo, a tasty craft Panettone that your trusted backer has made with love, paired with a bar of nougat. In addition, Asti DOCG will always been well appreciated.
These are only some ideas for your Christmas presents that can be useful for the latecomers or, why not, to keep into consideration for the next year.
Eat and drink well is something that makes you feeling better, thus giving food and wine as a present is like giving wellness and happiness!
Merry Christmas and cheers!
Sommelier Matteo Bernardi – Enjoy Food & Wine
