Yes, it is that time of year again and requests for holiday gifts are starting to come through. And, so let's return to those days of gift-giving with the following wine proposals.

For you it is so easy:

1. Decide who deserves a case of wine from you.

2. Email or fax me your list and I will arrange for delivery to the person's home or office. I will enclose a Holiday card. Just tell me what to say. Please include their name and address and phone and email if available.

3. Order some extra for yourself. You probably need it for the Holidays and you definitely deserve it. It will be there within a week.

Please note: To ensure we handle your orders properly, please get your orders in as soon as possible.

It is simple just call, fax or email me your orders and the clearing retailer will ship your gift cases to the addresses you designate. Good News! Deliveries can now go virtually any place in the US. Of course the west coast takes a few extra days.

Gift Option # 1 The Paris Bistro Collection - $199 ($189 for 5 or more cases) - 6 bottle option $110

A case of twelve bottles of delicious ready-to-drink red and white wines from the Loire, Alsace and Burgundy regions of France. This is the virtual Carte de Vin of places like Le Baratin above and all the best Paris Bistros. Quantities and types of wine will vary but all of the wines will be ones I am drinking at my own table and all of them regulars at any Parisian bistro worth it's salt. Delicious and ready to drink.

Included in the shipment may be a delicious red from Saumur Champigny or Bourgueil in the Loire or a young Bordeaux. The white candidates are a Muscadet from the Loire or a Saumur Blanc. There will be a mix of reds and whites in your 12-bottle bistro sampler gift box.

Gift Option # 2 - The Bordeaux For Tonight from 2005 shipment $235 ($225 for 5 cases or more) - 6 bottle option $125

A gift of Chateau bottlled Bordeaux wine from the greatest vintage in Bordeaux history. Bordeaux is the quintessential French wine. It is familiar. Everybody loves it and, let's face it, it's really good stuff. This gift includes 12 bottles of Bordeaux from estates like Chateau Roncheraie 2005 Chateau Puy Arnaud Maureze 2005 from the Cotes de Castillon. Puy Arnaud Maureze is owned by the winemaker of Dominus. He lets Jean-Luc Thunevin tend to his vineyard while he is in California. These are ready-to-drink fruit-forward offerings that have enough oak barrel-aging to add a very pleasing level of aroma and complexity. And they are both from the 2005 vintage, the best vintage ever produced in Bordeaux.

This is some of the highest quality, affordable Bordeaux you'll ever drink (or give away...a pity...maybe a gift to yourself should be considered?). These wines are real discoveries.

Bordeaux, of course, comes in many levels of sophistication and is priced accordingly. Perhaps you need something a bit more like a Grand Cru Classe wine from Bordeaux's more famous communes: Pauillac or Margaux. Give me a call and I will make a recommendation. Wines in this league will cost about $500 + per case.

Gift Option # 3 - The Burgundy shipment $299 ($289 for 5 cases or more) - 6 bottle option $160

French Pinot Noir from Burgundy. Who wouldn't want that? That is especially true when it's a wine from "best winemaker of his generation", Bernard Bouvier. He makes a splendid red Pinot Noir, Bourgogne Rouge 2008. Also in the Burgundy box will be an amazing white Burgundy from Eric de Suremain. Eric makes a beautiful 2007 100% Chardonnay Rully Premier Cru. The estate has been biodynamique since 1996.

Discounts and Order Details: The 5 case discount price applies to any combination of shipments. Delivery is $10 per case with a $15 supplement west of the Mississippi.

To Order: email me your list with addresses and what you want. Please include your messages if it is a gift.

Holiday Gift Details:

Gift #1 The Paris Bistro Collection 12-bottle case of great everyday bistro wines $199, $189 per case for 5 cases or more (6 bottles $110)

Gift #2 Bordeaux for Tonight
12-bottle case, ready to drink from the legendary 2005 vintage $235, $225 for 5 cases or more (6 bottles $125)

Gift # 3 The Burgundy Collection
12-bottle case - Pinot Noir and white Burgundy from top producers in the Cote d'Or $299, $289 for 5 cases or more (6 bottles $160)