suec1

Well I am really not much of a drinker tho I do enjoy wine esp. in Europe but a few years ago we went to visit a family in Spain. I tried very hard to choose gifts for them (we live in Atl.) but I think what the husband would have liked was some of the high end brands of US liquor - like Tenn. whiskey maybe (I really don't know hard liquor!) It was my impression he thought it was good quality and maybe pretty high priced in Europe.

bettyo70

nbbrown:

My husband and his family are from Italy. I brought them a good California Red Zinfandel (that wine being largely unavailable in Italy). They loved it!
I think they will appreciate a nice Oregon Pinot Noir or California Red Zin.
Also in the past, they have expressed interest in PEANUT BUTTER (also not common in Italy). Some Europeans are really into MAPLE SYRUP. You can get a lot of very good and fresh fruit preserves in Italy though.

suze

My friends who live in a wine region in Switzerland got a big kick out of it when I brought a Washington wine for them (and it wasn't GOOD, just a simple $15-20 bottle from a local winery).

LoveItaly

Peanut Butter is one thing Italians do love to receive (as strange as it my seem).

And all my Italian friends have a great interest in US wines so I amm sure that a bottle of Washington wine would be very appreciated.

And another thing that may see strange, but what my friends from Italy always buy here. Betty Crocker cake mixes. I have stood in a supermarket for 30 minutes while they discuss which kind of mix to buy - always the chocolate ones. Strange but true.

mjs

I agree that it is the thought that counts. Bringing one bottle or two as a gift will be appreciated by most people. Would pack it well in your checked luggage so in case it does break it will not ruin your clothes. ( has never happened to me ) If your transportation to Italy is fairly direct the weight of a bottle or two should not be a problem. The better Washington wines are not that easy to find in the US much less Italy so something from say Leonetti, or Quilceda Creek would be welcome treat for most people who like wine. On the other hand taking something light and small would be a good alternative. We last took Maple syrup by request.

nbbrown

Wow, guys... thanks for all your help and input! I would never have thought peanut butter or Betty Crocker!

What would you think of a small bottle of dessert wine? Like an Ice Wine? It is smaller and would travel easier.

Robert2533

The more I think about it the less I like the idea of taking wine as a gift, Washington State or not. We usually take several packages of Pacific NW smoked salmon, something our friends in Spain and France have a hard time finding, regardless of the price. It's by far the best salmon in the world.

Italian wines are fine, but they have a lot of great completion at the table.

SloJan

Just a quick note:
Wines are usually appreciated and WA State makes some very good ones. Only the biggies will be available in Europe. The smaller boutique brands will not be available. Also, American wines are expensive here compared to Euro. wines.

PNW salmon is a very good idea. You can only find the cold smoked salmon here and IMHO, PNW makes the best salmon.

Peanut butter is plentifulm as is maple syrup. So, unless it is boutiquy, there is a good chance they have it (if they like it). Dried cranberries are an excellent idea as they are very hard to find here. Also, if your friends are familiar with the American cake mix, those are good. If not, expect a dubious appreciation. The cakemixes available in Europe are not nearly as good and there is still that idea that cake mixes are only for lazy people!
Cheers,
Jan

nbbrown

Regarding the NW salmon, do you mean in a can? How would I keep it cold otherwise? What about Aplets and Cotlets, or Chukkar Cherries (choco covered dried cherries) which are a specialty from our state? I'm not quite sure what fruit is grown over there.

bettyo70

Actually where my husband's family lives in Italy, peanut butter and maple syrup are quite hard to find.

nbbrown

Bettyo70, where is your family from? I suppose Reeses Peanut Butter cups are hard to come by too?

bettyo70

My husband's family is from Padova (Padua).

Gardyloo

<i>Regarding the NW salmon, do you mean in a can?</i> Oh heavens no. Plenty of vacuum-packed product out there.

beachbum

nbbrown,
I believe Gardyloo and others are talking about the smoked salmon that's packed in foil pouches, then packaged in flat boxes. I'm sure you've seen 'em. Just about every food gift basket here in the PNW has one.

As regards your question about wine. I just recently received a couple bottles of barolo from a friend in Italy. When I commented that I'd like to reciprocate with a few bottles from Oregon (where I live), her response indicated she'd rather have something a little more unique to Oregon. So, I'm thinking the salmon, blueberry and/or raspberry jams, and hazelnuts are a good idea.

SloJan

They have both peanut butter and maple syrup at the hipermarkets ie Carrefour and Coop, near Venice and Trieste. We shop there monthly. Reese's cups are impossible to find in Europe so that's a thought! Also, they might like chocolate covered coffee beans!

Hazlenuts are really popular and plentiful here, too.

It's getting to be a small world!
Cheers,
Jan

beachbum

Making a note... Forget hazelnuts; dried cranberries instead. Thanks SloJan.

suze

Back to the wine, it's not to impress or compare with Italian wine... it's the thought that counts. I think a 1/2 bottle of dessert wine is a great idea.

I hate that foil packed smoked salmon myself.

Susan in Seattle

AisleSeat

How about stopping by the &quot;Made in Washington&quot; store and picking up one of those melted flat wine bottle cheese trays that has a St. Michelle label on it.