nbbrown

Perhaps from a variety they don't have in Italy? We have some very good wines, and wondered if it would be inappriate to offer a bottle as a gift. If not wine, any other suggestions? Thanks!

nbbrown

Okay, Okay. You know I meant BOTTLE!

What about a pint of homemade raspberry jam?

ira

Hi nb,

Both sound good to me.

Robert2533

A bottle of "good" Washington State wine would be fine as a gift, but check to see which ones have the best ratings. About the only problem with Washington State wines is they are highly overpriced when compared to the better wines of Italy, France and Spain, but there are a few good ones not made by Saint Michelle.

nbbrown

We're familiar with the wines of our valley, so would know which one to give. And checking the ratings is a good idea too. Several from this particular winery (Maryhill) have won medals as well, so that helps.

Brahmama

Um - Raspberry jam - that sounds really good too! I like to take something locally made/produced - usually carry some bottles of Texas-made salsa or pecans.

But Washington wine is very good too. Maybe both?

mikemo

Sure! Actually, the best Texas reds are those made from Nebbiolo or Sangiovese - my IT friends (SO is 1st gen IT) love them.
M

cmt

Yes, why not.

artlover

How about smoked salmon? I'm not sure, but I think that may be harder to find in Italy and IMO our salmon is even better than our wine (though I'm fond of both of course!)

pammyspam

I'm sorry, but I do not think it is a good gift. The italians (and I also) believe that they have the best wines in the world. Bring them something the can't get in Italy like maple syrup and pancake mix, peanut butter for their children, dried cheries or cranberies, pretty paper cocktail napkins, tea towels...maybe with a map of your area in the northwest, etc.

Patrick

Washington State wine might be fine, but I'd avoid giving them a bottle of wine from Washington D.C., for political reasons.

Scarlett

I think it is the Thought that counts so take that Bootle to Italy !
lol

RufusTFirefly

I think most people find a gift from another country interesting--even if it's a similar product to what they already have. It's fun to find out what another country's take on a familiar product is. Also fun to get something you don't normally have available.

Wine and jam sound good to me. Not mixed, of course.

StCirq

I think it's a fine idea. The Italians do appreciate wine, but I can't believe they are so narrow-minded as to think that good wines don't exist elsewhere. And, as wine connoisseurs, I think they'd enjoy sampling something different that they wouldn't have access to in Italy. And if it turns out they despise it, it'll be a good story for everyone to tell for years.

moldyhotelsaregross

I think the wine idea sounds like fun. Perhaps you could arrange a wine tasting comparing the two countries offerings!

Kelbert

I wholeheartely agree with StCirq and moldyhotelsaregross!

I think bringing them a bottle of wine from your state is a great idea! I live very close to the Napa Valley and I always give wine as gifts to friends from Italy & Spain. They love it! Italy is not the only place you find good wines. Great suggestion by moldy...have a wine tasting. Maybe take a bottle from Napa/Sonoma as well and compare to Washington State, Italian, and maybe a French. Sounds fun!! I have also been enjoying Sauvignon Blancs from New Zealand lately....and I have never been a fan of those before.

p.s. Raspberry jam sounds yummy as well!!

MelJ

I think taking wine to Italy is a great idea--it's a wonderful idea for a cultural exchange.

P.S. While you're at it, could you send me a bottle of Chateau St. Michele Reisling? LOVE i!

Gardyloo

Curmudgeon hat on. I have stopped taking Washington or Oregon wine to give people in Europe for a couple of reasons.

One, it's a pain, especially if the recipient is several plane rides or train stations from you. I don't trust putting wine in checked luggage, and a couple of bottles in your carry-on pretty well fills the bag.

Two, if they're wine connoisseurs they can get it there, sometimes less expensively than we can, thanks (a) to the persistence of US wine exporters, and (b) to the maze of taxes and interlocking corporate hoohah that controls our world.

Three, if they're not connoisseurs, they won't know whether it's good or lousy.

So I take salmon instead. Everybody likes it, it's light and flat and won't blow up in your suitcase.

Other gifts will be age- or person-specific. Baseball caps, football (US) jerseys, Fran's chocolates (Fran's now has a growing international following, even people in European chocolate country.) Picture books, calendars, anything else flat, compact, and light.

This probably grows from when we brought six bottles of $20 Washington and Oregon wines to some friends in Scotland, and dear son dropped the bag containing four of them on the doorstep of their flat.


Hat off.

kimamom

I think it's an excellent idea, nbbrown! The Ste. Michelle winery in WA received the Best Winery of the Year award in October from Wine Enthrsiast.

You might want to check out their Reserve wines. Very nice gift. www.ste-michelle.com Cheers! ***kim***

SuzieC

I think its a splendid gesture. Aren't y'all known for Pinot Noirs and fine Zinfindels?

Haaahahahaha... how about a nice white zin?