Stylish sips make holiday gifts: Iron Horse, Absolut, Perrier-Jouet

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What's a frazzled person to do when they haven't a clue what to bring to a holiday get-together, or give to the person who has everything? For those who imbibe, it's easy: A chic bottle of wine or spirits that your recipient can put on display -- or even better, that the host can uncork the moment you walk through the door.

Here are three quick suggestions.

  • First: Perrier-Jouet Grand Brut and two Champagne flutes in a gift box ($45).

Flowery sentiments: A bottle of Perrier-Jouet sends a nice message at the holidays.

Courtesy Perrier-Jouet

Flowery sentiments: A bottle of Perrier-Jouet sends a nice message at the holidays.

The wine house is famed for its flower label, and for its tricky-to-pronounce name. It's a combination of French and Dutch, or so its chief executive told The Chronicle when he was in town a few years back. Impress your friends two ways, first by bringing it, and then by saying it correctly: PARE-ee-yay zhoo-ETT, with a hard "t" sound at the end (not zhoo-AY.)

  • Second: Absolut vodka, in its new limited-edition "Absolut Glimmer" bottle that is designed to look like cut crystal and has a certain snowy, showy appeal.

Ice is nice: Absolut Glimmer's showy bottle makes for a cool Christmas.

Courtesy Absolut

Ice is nice: Absolut Glimmer's showy bottle makes for a cool Christmas.

Although it isn't made of pure crystal, that's a good thing for the pocketbook -- it's modestly priced at just under $25. Who needs to tuck this one into the cabinet? Serve it on a silver tray, preferably by a butler wearing gloves.

  • Last, but not least: Sonoma County's Iron Horse Vineyards has released a do-gooder wine for the holidays. Its 2005 Ocean Reserve sparkling wine ($40) is a limited production blanc de blanc made in partnership with National Geographic and other organizations to help save the oceans.

Give to receive: Iron Horse's 2005 Ocean Reserve helps to save the seas. Only 1,000 cases were made.

The Chronicle

Give to receive: Iron Horse's 2005 Ocean Reserve helps to save the seas. Only 1,000 cases were made.

Iron Horse will contribute $4 a bottle to National Geographic's Ocean Initiative to help restore the health and abundance of the oceans. The front label features an underwater photo, while the back label contains a high-tech element that, when scanned with a free smart phone app links the consumer to a video explaining the creation of the wine, the ocean's role in the winery's micro-climate and several sustainable seafood recipes. Available at PlumpJack wines, some Whole Foods and Mollie Stones markets and by the glass at Americano restaurant at Hotel Vitale, San Francisco. It will also be served at the traditional Christmas Eve "Feast of the Seven Fishes" at A16 restaurant in San Francisco, says Iron Horse Chief Executive Officer Joy Sterling.

Posted By: Carolyne Zinko (Email) | December 22 2010 at 09:00 AM

Listed Under: Shopping