Holiday Gift Guide for Wine Lovers

Hello Delfino Fine Wines Club Members and Fans,

We know it’s not Christmas just yet, but isn’t it nice to get a head start on finding the perfect gifts for the wine lovers in your life? Here at Delfino Fine Wines, we have curated a holiday gift guide that’s bound to impress, from premium Italian wines to handcrafted gems from Oregon’s Umpqua Valley. Let’s dive in!

🎁 Wine Bundles & Gift Boxes
Looking to gift something extraordinary? Our special 3-bottle or 6-bottle wine bundles (see below) come with a stylish box, ready to make a statement under the tree. Choose from premium Italian selections or handcrafted Umpqua Valley favorites, all available at a holiday discount! For a true touch of elegance, we also offer gorgeous wooden boxes and a sophisticated magnetic 1-bottle box—perfect for that wine connoisseur who deserves something extra.

🍾 Large Formats for Big Celebrations  
For larger parties or the particularly “thirsty” wine aficionado, our large-format bottles are a showstopper! Ideal for family gatherings, these impressive bottles will make any holiday table feel extra festive.

🍷 Wine Accessories & Home Décor 

Beyond the bottle, we have a wonderful selection of wine-related accessories:

1. The Coravin Timeless™ features a needle which gently passes through cork to extract wine, replacing wine with argon gas and preventing oxygen making contact with the wine. Once the Needle is removed, the cork simply expands back to its normal shape, keeping the remaining wine as fresh as the day it was bottled for months or even years. Six+ and Three+ models are available at the shop along with Argon Cartridges.
2. Versace Medusa Bottle Stoppers: A luxurious addition to any wine lover’s collection. Designed by Gianni Versace for The Rosenthal Company of Germany, this bottle stopper features a frosted, two sided Medusa and clear, tapered stopper in the original box. Acid stamped signature of Versace and Rosenthal. 
3. Crystal Wine Enthusiast Glasses: Enhance the tasting experience with these high-quality glasses from the Wine Enthusiast Fusion Infinity Collection- Supremely Elegant- Break Resistant- Stemware
4. Stylish Wine Racks: Practical and chic storage solutions.
5. Wine Décor Signs: Our wine sign adds charm and character to any wine space! 

✨ New This Year! Wine Bottle Lamps & LED Bottle Décor

Adding a little extra sparkle this season, we’re excited to introduce our latest decorative pieces:

1. Vintage Wine Wine Bottle Lamps: Made with large-format empty bottles, these unique lamps include a light kit (bulb socket and wiring) and shade.
2. LED Vintage Wine Bottle Décor: Pick the bottle (empty) of your choice among a large selection of Vintage Bottles. These décor items make stunning, meaningful gifts—each bottle’s vintage year could mark a special date like a birthday or anniversary.

🎟️ Gift Certificates
Give the gift of a wine adventure! Our gift certificates can be used toward tastings, wine purchases, or wine experiences. Perfect for those who love to choose their own wine journey!

Whether you’re shopping for seasoned wine aficionados or those new to the world of wine, we have gifts that will bring a smile to anyone’s face. Don’t wait too long—shop early to snag these unique gifts for the wine lovers on your list!

Cheers to a warm and wonderful holiday season! 🥂  
Emilia

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Why Choose Us?

1. Quality and Variety: We offer a curated selection of wines to ensure you have the best options for any occasion, and you can taste most of them for free before you buy!
2. Sustainability: Our products are thoughtfully sourced from family owned wineries that practice sustainable farming.
3. Expertise: We are passionate about wine and ready to help you find the perfect bottle for Fall and the Holidays.

 

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Italian Special 3-pack Offers perfect for a gift or to enjoy the holidays!

• Montalcino 3-pack includes:

2019 Cantine Guidi 1929 Brunello di Montalcino DOCG
2017 Paradiso di Cacuci Brunello di Montalcino DOCG
2019 Paradiso di Cacuci Rosso di Montalcino DOC

SPECIAL OFFER: $165

• Cantine Guidi Red 3-pack includes:

2019 Cantine Guidi 1929 Brunello di Montalcino DOCG
2021 Cantine Guidi 1929 Chianti Classico Riserva DOCG 
2021 Cantine Guidi 1929 Chianti Classico DOCG

SPECIAL OFFER: $130 

• Sangiovese 3-pack includes:

2021 Cantine Guidi 1929 Chianti Classico Riserva DOCG 
2021 Cantine Guidi 1929 Chianti Classico DOCG
2019 Paradiso di Cacuci Rosso di Montalcino DOC

SPECIAL OFFER: $110

• Italy White 3-pack includes:

NV Cantina Sancio Lumassina Brut "Lady Chatterley"
2023 Cantine Guidi 1929 Vernaccia di San Gimignano DOCG
2021 Terre di Valter Greco di Tufo DOCG

SPECIAL OFFER: $95

• Italy White/Rosé/Red 3-pack includes:

2023 Cantine Guidi 1929 Vernaccia di San Gimignano DOCG
2023 Cantine Guidi 1929 Sangiovese Rosé Toscana IGT "Daliae"
2021 Cantine Guidi 1929 Chianti Classico DOCG

 SPECIAL OFFER: $85

 

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Our Oregon Special Bundles – Sip, Savor, Save!

• The "Discover Umpqua" 6-Pack includes:

Chardonnay AND/OR Rosé - 2 bottles (choose one of each or two of the same kind)
Smokey Pinot Noir - 2 bottles
Syrah "The Origins Reserve"  - 2 bottles

SPECIAL OFFER: $99 (Regular: $124)

 

• The "Red Lovers" 6-Pack  includes:

Syrah "The Origins Reserve" - Simply excellent - 3 bottles
Smokey Pinot Noir - 3 bottles

SPECIAL OFFER: $108 (Regular: $135)

 

• The "Light Delight" 6-Pack includes:

Chardonnay -3 bottles
Rosé -3 bottles

SPECIAL OFFER: $80 (Regular: $102)

 

• The "Versatile Vines" 6-Pack includes:

Chardonnay - 2 bottles
Rosé - 2 bottles
Pinot Noir OR Syrah: 2 bottles  (choose between 2 bottles of Pinot Noir or 2 of Syrah)

Bundle with 2 Pinot Noir - SPECIAL OFFER: $85 (Regular: $108)
Bundle with 2 Syrah - SPECIAL OFFER: $95 (Regular: $118)

 

For customers in the Albany/Corvallis/Lebanon area, we offer FREE DELIVERY or store pick up. Along with your order, please send a text to (503) 791-7193 to set up an appointment. Thank you! 

 

Brunello di Montalcino: Tuscany’s Noble Wine

Brunello di Montalcino is a renowned Italian red wine made from Sangiovese grapes in the Montalcino region of Tuscany. Known for its elegance, complexity, and longevity, Brunello di Montalcino is not only a symbol of Italian winemaking but also a benchmark for the quality that can be achieved from Sangiovese. Let’s explore the history, unique characteristics, and strict DOCG requirements that have made this wine a global treasure.

A Brief History of Brunello di Montalcino

Brunello di Montalcino’s story begins in the 19th century, when a local winemaker named Clemente Santi set out to create a wine that would showcase the unique qualities of the Sangiovese grape in the hills surrounding Montalcino. Santi’s work was groundbreaking, as he experimented with aging techniques that would later become the foundation of modern Brunello production. His grandson, Ferruccio Biondi-Santi, continued this legacy, refining the techniques and creating the first “modern” Brunello in the late 1800s.

In the 20th century, Brunello’s reputation grew as winemakers embraced strict production standards to elevate its quality. By 1966, Brunello di Montalcino received DOC (Denominazione di Origine Controllata) status, and in 1980, it became one of Italy’s first wines to be awarded the prestigious DOCG (Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita) status. Today, it is considered one of Italy’s finest wines, and Montalcino has become a world-famous wine region that attracts enthusiasts and collectors alike.

Characteristics of Brunello di Montalcino

Brunello di Montalcino is made exclusively from Sangiovese, a grape known for its high acidity, vibrant red fruit flavors, and the ability to express the unique terroir of its growing region. In Montalcino, Sangiovese grapes benefit from the region’s warm, dry climate and unique soil composition, which produce wines with remarkable concentration and complexity.

- **Color**: Brunello di Montalcino is a deep ruby-red that often develops garnet hues with age.
- **Aroma**: The nose is intensely aromatic, with characteristic notes of cherry, blackberry, and plum, as well as floral hints of violet. With age, the wine develops secondary aromas of leather, tobacco, dried herbs, and earthy nuances.
- **Palate**: On the palate, Brunello is full-bodied with high acidity and firm tannins, providing excellent structure and aging potential. Flavors of ripe cherry, dark berries, and spice dominate, often accompanied by undertones of licorice, leather, and truffle as it ages.
- **Aging Potential**: Brunello di Montalcino is known for its exceptional aging potential. Well-made bottles can improve and evolve for decades, gaining complexity and depth over time.

The balance of fruit, acidity, and tannin in Brunello di Montalcino makes it a wine of elegance and power, ideal for long cellaring and perfect for pairing with rich foods like roasted meats, game, and aged cheeses.

DOCG Requirements for Brunello di Montalcino

Brunello di Montalcino has strict DOCG regulations that ensure the wine’s quality and authenticity. These rules govern everything from grape variety and aging requirements to production zones and alcohol content.

1. **Grape Variety**: Brunello di Montalcino must be made from 100% Sangiovese, which is locally known as “Brunello.”
  
2. **Production Area**: The grapes must come from the Montalcino area in Tuscany. This area, covering around 24,000 acres, provides the perfect environment for Sangiovese due to its elevation, sunshine, and limestone-rich soil.

3. **Aging Requirements**:
   - **Standard Brunello di Montalcino**: Requires a minimum aging of 5 years, with at least 2 years in oak barrels and 4 months in the bottle before release.
   - **Riserva**: The Riserva designation is reserved for exceptional vintages and must be aged for at least 6 years, with a minimum of 2 years in oak and 6 months in the bottle.

4. **Alcohol Content**: The wine must have a minimum alcohol level of 12.5%, though most Brunellos are closer to 13.5% or higher due to the warm climate and high grape ripeness.

5. **Quality Control**: Before receiving the DOCG label, Brunello di Montalcino wines must pass a series of rigorous quality tests, including tasting panels and chemical analyses, ensuring that only the best wines reach the market.

Why Brunello di Montalcino Is So Highly Regarded

Brunello di Montalcino’s DOCG requirements are among the strictest in Italy, reflecting a commitment to quality and tradition. Winemakers in Montalcino strive to showcase the unique qualities of Sangiovese, respecting both the grape and the land. The result is a wine of remarkable elegance, depth, and power, capable of aging gracefully for decades.

With its rich history, uncompromising standards, and incredible flavor profile, Brunello di Montalcino has earned its place as one of the world’s most sought-after wines. It’s a wine that rewards patience, and for those lucky enough to enjoy it, it offers a true taste of Tuscany’s heritage and the passion of its winemakers.

If you would like to try this incredible wine, at Delfino Fine Wines we offer two vintages:

• 2017 Paradiso di Cacuci Brunello di Montalcino DOCG, click HERE to see the bottle
• 2019 Cantine Guidi Brunello di Montalcino DOCG, click HERE to see the bottle