The Wine Coach

For the eclectic wine drinker: Cookies and Corks is the brainchild of two friends who both had a passion for cookies and wine. They found their unique recipes for cookies— many with savory elements— paired nicely with the same wines they enjoyed at dinner. They enlisted the help of Amy Reiley, master of gastronomy and co-author of “The Love Diet,” to help them perfectly pair their cookies with a wide range of wines. Some pairings include Apricot Sage cookies with Gewurztraminer, White Cheddar Rosemary cookies with Cabernet Sauvignon and Iced lemon cookies with Prosecco. Says Reiley, “I love anything that encourages wine as a part of daily life. Cookies and Corks is a take on the milk-and-cookies tradition.”

So grab a box of Cookies and Corks along with a bottle of matching wine and if you’re lucky, the recipient will share them with you. Cookies and Corks packs retail for $8 to $10 and are available at Calvert Wine and Spirits in Hunt Vally or online at http://www.cookiesand-corks.com.

For the gourmet wine drinker: If you have a wine lover on your list who loves to cook, then the Wine and Steak Gift Basket from Eddie’s of Roland Park might just be the right gift. Eddie’s will beautifully package four 8-ounce tenderloin filets (or other cut of meat) along with a bottle of Cabernet Sauvignon and deliver it to your recipient in the Baltimore area. In fact, Eddie’s has a large selection of themed baskets for wine lovers to choose from. And if you have a very finicky person in your life, they can help you create a custom basket as well. The Wine and Steak Gift Basket is $80. Visit http://www.eddiesofrolandpark.com.

For the social butterfly: For a wine lover who loves to be out on the town, purchasing a wine experience might be the perfect gift. There are lots of great options in Baltimore to take in a wine tasting or a wine dinner.
 
One my favorite options is a cooking class with chef Jerry Pellegrino at Corks Restaurant. Jerry has no shortage of personality, along with deep culinary experience, and to top that off, he’s a talented sommelier. Gift certificates are available for his cooking lessons at $55 each. Find more information at http://www.corksrestaurant.com.
 
Another option for great food and wine events is chef Jerry Edwards at Chef’s Expressions. Chef’s Expressions offers wine tastings, dinners and culinary classes. These are fun, social events that are as fun as they are educational. Jerry also offers women’s-only culinary classes called “Whisks, Wine and Women,” perfect for a girls night out. For more, visit http://www.chefsexpressions.com.  —Laurie Forster

Laurie Forster, The Wine Coach®, is a wine educator who creates corporate events, group tastings and team-building seminars. She is the author of “The Sipping Point: A Crash Course in Wine,” and can be heard each week on WBAL Radio 1090AM. Visit thewinecoach.com.