Is a GOOD bootle of Washington wine an appropriate gift for an Italian?
#21
Join Date: Aug 2003
Posts: 4,606
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
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.
#22
Join Date: Aug 2003
Posts: 1,401
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
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.
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.
#24
Join Date: Sep 2004
Posts: 45,322
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
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.
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.
#25
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 3,185
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
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.
#26
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 323
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
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.
What would you think of a small bottle of dessert wine? Like an Ice Wine? It is smaller and would travel easier.
#27
Join Date: Mar 2003
Posts: 8,827
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
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.
Italian wines are fine, but they have a lot of great completion at the table.
#28
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 665
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
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
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
#29
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 323
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
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.
#34
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 5,242
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
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.
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.
#35
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 665
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
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
Hazlenuts are really popular and plentiful here, too.
It's getting to be a small world!
Cheers,
Jan
#37
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
I hate that foil packed smoked salmon myself.
Susan in Seattle