The BevX Holiday Gift Guide 2022

Chances are that since you are a person of impeccable taste and curiosity that you have friends who share your passion for wine & spirits.

December has arrived and the clock is running. BevX has made it easy to make your holiday buying decisions today. Why procrastinate? Did you know that last-minute shoppers represented 36 percent of the overall total? There is no reason to wait until the final moments.

We have assembled a modest list of stellar wine & spirits ranging in price from $22 to $69. It will be hard to resist picking up a bottle or two for yourself so why try? End the year by being generous with yourself as well. Have a great holiday season.

Wine

Stone Castle/Gecaj Estate

Stone Castle Vineyards and Winery, the leading winery in Kosovo, is forging a path for this Balkan wine region. In 2006, the Gecaj family acquired the state-owned winery formerly known as “NBI Rahoveci,” which the Yugoslavian government built in 1953. It remains a family owned winery to this day. All of Stone Castle’s wines are made from estate-grown grapes from the heart of the Rahovec Valley, known locally as the “Tuscany of Kosovo.” Stone Castle offers a range of wines primarily from international grapes including: Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Shiraz, and Merlot, as well as the ancient and indigenous grape called Vranc. Their top range of wines is called “Estate Owner’s ChoiceEstate Owner’s Choice.” We are instant fans of this lovely Kosovo winemaker.

Gecaj Estate Owner’s Choice Petit Verdot Rahovec Valley 2017 — $45, See the Featured Review
Gecaj Estate Owner’s Choice Shiraz Rahovec Valley 2017 — $45, See the Featured Review

Troon Vineyard

Troon Vineyard started quietly over four decades ago when Dick Troon planted vineyards in Southern Oregon. He sold grapes to local wineries but soon discovered that the best business decision was to create his own wines. He converted his barn to a winery and slowly built the brand until he sold the winery to his friend Larry Martin in 2003. Today, Troon Vineyard is owned by Dr. Bryan White and Denise White. The Whites along with Craig Camp, general manager, and winemaker Nate Wall lead the innovative wine making efforts at Troon. Nate has extensive winemaking experience in the Willamette Valley and brings a nuanced, almost Pinot Noir approach to winemaking. Craig is a wine industry veteran with a sharp palate, encyclopedic knowledge of the wines of the world, and relentless energy. Troon offers a wonderfully diverse selection of varietal wines and blends ranging from Malbec to Grenache and Vermentino to name just a few. Beginning with the 2018 vintage the fruit utilized by Troon was farmed 100% organically and biodynamically. All Troon wines were crushed by foot, fermented with only native yeasts with no additives of any kind. If you are seeking unique wines with style and gusto you need to get acquainted with Troon Vineyard.

If you would like to sample some cool and innovative wines in 2023 Or share great wines with a friend we recommend that you consider Membership in one of Troon’s wine clubs.
http://www.troonvineyard.com/troon-membership/

Troon Vineyard Druid’s Fluid White Applegate Valley 2021 — $25, See the Featured Review
Troon Vineyard Druid’s Fluid Red Applegate Valley 2021 — $25, See the Featured Review
Troon Vineyard Kubli Bench Rosé Applegate Valley 2021 — $25, See the Featured Review
Troon Vineyard Syrah Applegate Valley 2020 — $40, See the Featured Review
Troon Vineyard Tannat Applegate Valley 2020 — $50, See the Featured Review

Tongue Dancer Wines

Tongue Dancer Wines is the creation of James and Kerry MacPhail. If you are a California Pinot Noir lover you likely know James’ previous work with MacPhail Family Wines. James knows how to make amazing Pinot Noir and Chardonnay and James knows a lot of people who grow spectacular Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. This best of both worlds scenario is witnessed in each sip of Tongue Dancer’s award winning wines. They offer a range of wines from various vineyard sources that include a lovely Rosé of Pinot Noir as well as a classic method bubbly. Lately they have introduced their “Ultra” tier that is limited to their best barrel of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay respectively. Their wines are a must for any serious Pinot and Chardonnay drinker. We can’t wait to see what they do next. Visit their website and join their mailing list to get direct access to their wines.

Learn all about Tongue Dancer Wines: HERE

For the holidays we also recommend that you check out their large format (1.5 liter and 3 liter) bottles. These make a statement of good taste and holiday cheer!

Tongue Dancer Bacigalupi Vineyard Chardonnay Russian River Valley 2020 — $50, See the Featured Review
Tongue Dancer Pinot de Ville Pinot Noir Russian River Valley 2020 — $69, See the Featured Review
Tongue Dancer Pratt Vine Hill Vineyard Chardonnay Russian River Valley 2020 — $65, See the Featured Review
Tongue Dancer Wines Chardonnay Russian River Valley 2020 — $55, See the Featured Review
Tongue Dancer Wines Foxtrot Pinot Noir Anderson Valley 2020 — $39, See the Featured Review
Tongue Dancer Wines Pratt Vyd Irwin Lane Chardonnay Russian River Valley 2020 — $42, See the Featured Review
Tongue Dancer Wines Rosé of Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast 2021 — $22, See the Featured Review
Tongue Dancer “Applelicious” Apple Cider (USA) — $6, single can, 375ml, See the Featured Review

Tablas Creek

Tablas Creek is a unique animal on the California wine scene. They are unquestioned pioneers in the movement of Rhône-styled wines in California and many consider them to be the absolute best-in-class. While many wineries in California make wines with classic Rhône varietals, Tablas Creek makes wines with the heart and soul of the Rhône. They were founded in 1989 by a collaboration between two iconic wine families – the Perin family of Chateau de Beaucastel and the Haas family of Vineyard Brands. Together they chose vineyard locations in Paso Robles, imported vine cuttings from the Rhône, and built vineyards and a winery from the dirt up. Their vineyard site in the Adelaida District of Paso Robles is a close match to climatic conditions and soils found at Chateau de Beaucastel. Their wines are not at all typically Californian in style. While they are not clones of Rhône wines, they are rather a unique expression of Paso Robles fruit grown at elevation with the winemaking touch of an old Rhône master. The resulting wines are filled with personality, never compromised, and frequently world-class. The best way to get all of the Tablas Creek wines you see is to join their wine club.

Tablas Creek Patelin de Tablas Paso Robles 20201 — $28, See the Featured Review
Tablas Creek Vermentino Adelaida District 2021 — $30, See the Featured Review

Spirits

Laird’s

Laird’s has returned to their roots to create a straight Apple Brandy bottled at 86 proof as they had done prior to prohibition. No fewer than eight varieties of American-grown apples are used to create this beautiful spirit. Seventeen pounds of fresh, tree-ripened apples are needed to produce each single bottle. The house-crafted cider is distilled in their combination pot/column still to 160 proof. The spirit’s proof is dropped to 130 proof and placed into 55 gallon charred oak barrels for aging. When the Brandy is ideally mature it is adjusted to 86 proof and bottled ready for lovers of great American Brandies. It’s a true American classic.

Laird’s Applejack86 Apple Brandy — $24.99, See the Featured Review

Rubirosa Rum

Rubirosa is a terrific new Rum brand created with quality Dominican Rum and named for perhaps the most famous Dominican of the 20th century, Porfirio Rubirosa. Rubirosa was a Dominican diplomat who became an icon of style and noted adventurer playing polo, driving race cars, flying planes, and searching for sunken treasure. In the 1950s he was one of the world’s most talked-about playboys. It’s no wonder that Rubirosa was the man who inspired Ian Fleming to create the character James Bond. The Rums are created using an old recipe that has been closely held by its creator for decades. Now this Rum has the name and iconic package it deserves.

Rubirosa Private Reserve 4 Years Old Rum — $24.99, See the Featured Review

Rubirosa Private Reserve 8 Years Old Rum — $34.99, See the Featured Review

The Jikuya Distillery

The Jikuya Distillery was founded over a hundred years ago (1910) by Gonsuke Jikuya. He built his distillery in Miyanojocho Hirakawa at the foot of Mount Shibi, a sacred mountain in North Satsuma. Here four generations have crafted artisan Shochu from sweet potatoes and rice. “Bringing the wholesomeness of nature to life in Shochu” is their creed. Jikuya produces fewer than 10 unique styles including the incredible Jikuya “White” and “Black” that we have featured at BevX.

Jikuya Black Sweet Potato Shochu — $45.99, See the Featured Review

Jikuya White Sweet Potato Shochu — $45.99, See the Featured Review

The Chuko Distillery

Chuko was originally named Tomigusuku Distillery and founded by Chuko Oshiro in Tomigusuku city in 1949. In 1980, the company reorganized and changed its name to Chuko Distillery honoring its founder. In 1989, they invented a pottery suitable for Awamori maturation, which is called Chuko Original Kiln Fired Pottery. They are thoroughly steeping in the local culture while hoping to create a modern Awamori culture for Okinawa. Until very recently they have offered their products nearly exclusively in Okinawa but are now looking to share their great products with the world.

Chuko Yokka Koji Awamori — $44.99, See the Featured Review

Kuiper Belt

Kuiper Belt Gin is a small batch dry gin that contains eight natural botanicals that deliver notes of juniper berries, citrus, lavender, rose, and orange blossoms. The Space Age precision of the production process delivers an atmospheric distillate with a clean, well-balanced Gin with a cool punch of juniper with vibrant citrus notes. We are big fans of this versatile dry Gin.

Kuiper Belt Dry Gin — $40, See the Featured Review

Non-Liquid Beverage Toys

VinOice — wine chiller

When you need refreshment, there is nothing like a perfectly chilled glass of wine. You can opt for the traditional bottle in the ice bucket method but this comes with a soaked and dripping bottle. VinOice uses a steel rod that you place in your freezer at least 30 minutes before using. Sure, you probably don’t want to do this with your prized Montrachet but for cheerful Rosé and whites served on the patio this tool really works.

VinOice — wine chiller — $28, See the Link to Product

Tongue Dancer Wines — Swag and accessories

BevX Readers know that we love Tongue Dancer Wines. Perhaps, a great Pinot needs a great glass and maybe even a wine pourer… Take a look around their store, you might even need a t-shirt.

TDW Branded Riedel New World Pinot Noir Glass  — $49, See the Link to Product

TDW Cat Pourer (other styles offered)  — $29, See the Link to Product