Blind Tasting for “Fruit Condition” – what does this mean?
In blind tasting, assess if the fruit flavors are ripe, tart, or dried to infer climate and region—cooler climates often yield tarter profiles.
‘Wine people’ can be tricky to buy for.
While a bottle of something delicious will always be appropriate, maybe you want to be a little more outside the box this year!
In reality, wine lovers appreciate most wines and wine-related gifts. However, most buyers have feared getting them anything too tacky, not useful, or something they already have!
I pulled together my second annual wine gift guide with products and services that will amuse or delight anyone who is nerdy about wine in any capacity! From maps, to books, to wine gadgets, to coaching options, to blind tasting – I’ve got you covered!
This year there is a major focus on my ♥ Small Biz friends, highlighting wine so passionately in what they do!
You may even be able to pick up something for yourself along the way!
♥ Small Biz
Elevage Wine Coaching helps wine students succeed and sustain their enjoyment of wine throughout their studies. They offer online, individualized coaching sessions as well as Membership access to a library of webinar recordings (50+ and counting), exclusive study resources, and nearly 1000 wine trivia questions.
Exclusive to Grape Grind subscribers Elevage is offering 50% off 3 months of EWC Membership! Use code GRAPEGRINDBF24 at checkout.
♥ Small Biz
Jessica’s mission is to mission is to empower wine students to embrace their individuality and thrive in their studies, whatever their unique learning style.
This holiday season, elevate your learning journey with their new Monthly Momentum Webinars—just $14 for 75 minutes of expert strategies including a free 30-minute live Q&A. Plus newly launched Group Coaching, combining neuroscience-backed techniques with community support to help you succeed.
Don’t forget to use code HOLIDAY for 20% off all products —perfect for gifting or investing in your future!
♥ Small Biz
Wine education “info-tainment” for the casual wine drinker. Vince’s passion for wine stems from his desire to pass his knowledge of it on to others. He believes wine education should be accessible-to-all and easy-to-comprehend!
V is for Vino is “THE BOURDAIN OF WINE TV”
Each episode of V is for Vino is an in-depth feature of a wine region and its wineries, cities nearby, local restaurants, & culture. Vince breaks down topics in fun and easy-to-understand ways; helpful to anyone wanting to learn – from your casual wine drinker to more serious wine-studying professionals! VIP memberships are a steal starting at $5!
♥ Small Biz
A Wine Affair is all about taking the bougie out of wine. Cindy Davis does that via a A Wine Affair Podcast and a virtual monthly Tasting Group. The podcast goes behind the scenes of the wine business and introduces you to cool wine people who do cool wine jobs. We also cover different wine regions and new varieties. Her monthly Tasting Group is a wine community in a non-intimidating space where all levels are welcome. Taste and discuss wines that are selected by the group, and pair them with food.
If you would like to be a guest in our January Tasting Group, on Friday, the 10th, Please email Cindy at awineaffairevents.com for your free spot!
♥ Small Biz
MySOMM wine classes + tastings. Now everyone can explore the world of wine while having a blast! These certified sommelier-led classes, in-home tastings, corporate events and wine dinners take the mystery out of wine, making it simple and easy to understand. Gift a wine experience or a MySOMM gift card, and enjoy wine together!
From guides, to quizzes, to ‘insider’ webinars this is a great gift for an aspiring sommelier (or someone invested in learning about wine)
Virtual flashcards for serious learners! Are you going for a WSET exam? Don’t fret! Use these web and mobile flashcards to prep quickly for your next WSET exam!
The New Wine Review started with the goal of making it the most interesting publication on the internet for people who love wine. I believe it does just that!
Right now, when you buy a gift subscription to The New Wine Review for $159, you also get $325 to spend on wine with the folks behind Last Bottle, First Bottle, and Wine Bid!
This offer is good for new and returning customers and there’s no minimum spend required.
♥ Small Biz
With a touch of golden allure and dedication to her craft, Celine invites you to embark on a journey where art and wine converge.
Explore captivating mixed media maps, artfully depicting wine regions from around the world!
For the holidays get 20% off 3 or more products automatically. Prints, Originals, Shirts, and Sweatshirts!
♥ Small Biz
Known as the #SommForEveryone, professional sommelier and wine educator Sarah Looper is changing how America learns about wine. Through social media Sarah has been able to democratize wine, making it wholly available and more understandable one reel at a time.
In 2024 she published the Loopersomm Tasting Journal where she breaks down 20 years of wine education and teaches you how to identify what you’re smelling and tasting in simple, easy-to-understand language. Grab the e-book version of her Tasting Journal and the luxe Bodega Wine Monday bag, a limited edition.
(Online wine classes launch in 2025!)
♥ Small Biz
Kate is a wine creative, writer, and educator specializing in Portuguese wine. With a design background and a passion for wine, she creates unique wine journals, wine-themed tea towels, custom-curated wine shopping lists, and private wine consultations. Her goal is to make Portuguese wine fun and accessible to English speakers. She also combines art and wine through her Substack, Survives on Wine!
Shop using discount code: TCCPKRSI for 15% off
♥ Small Biz
“The Certified Wino” blends various mediums like fashion and music to create a new lens into the world of wine, food & hospitality. He invites audiences to join the conversation via his lively content drops across social media, curated tasting experiences (private + public) & daily outfit inspo to keep you looking just as fine as the wine you drink!
Use code WINO2024 for 16% off the newest merch designs from The Certified Wino
Also get 15% off all private events or event consultations booked by December 31st by adding ‘Grape Grind Referral’ to the Subject Line of your inquiry.
♥ Small Biz
An Etsy shop for wine humor!
With a range of t-shirts, mugs, glassware, and other fun wine-themed gifts, get the oenophile in your life the only thing missing from their wine-loving lives! For small business Saturday, use the code GRAPEGRIND to save 10% on everything.
Wine preservation for keeping that bottle fresh for weeks after opening! These are a life saver for Tasting Group wines!
For the holidays get an additional 20% off using code GRAPEGRIND
This is a must-have for anyone with a collection of wine or who likes to taste a lot! This allows you to pour wine without uncorking the bottle. Black Friday weekend sales are always the best deal you can get – up to 50% off!
Vinglacé products keep beverages hot or cold without any metallic taste or smell. The tumblers are lined with a glass insert! This are my favorite for outdoor experiences.
A classic and essential reference to the wine regions of the world!
< Boxed book and map set >
An incredible collection of information from the most iconic sparkling wine region!
A very approachable deep dive into each region in Australia!
Includes visuals and maps to help you get a glimpse of a region’s grapes, styles, and producers!
The ultimate guide to food and wine paring …and wine and food pairing (it goes both ways)!
An inspiring read for anyone working in hospitality or who loves to dine out!
Another great read for restaurant workers and restaurant lovers
A guide to wine tasting, highlighting major grape varieties and focusing/illustrating a wine’s structural elements! A truly unique way to approach tasting!
For the dedicated wine sudent. This book focuses specifically on the Systematic Approach to Tasting (SAT) developed by the Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET).
35% off PDF downloads and 10% off physical copies TODAY through Cyber Monday!
No code’s necessary – products already discounted!
↑ Some of the links above are Amazon affiliate links, which means that I will earn a commission if you choose to purchase them. I will never recommend anything that isn’t valuable or useful in my wine study journey, or something I have no experience with. I hope these products/resources are equally helpful in your wine journey.
In blind tasting, assess if the fruit flavors are ripe, tart, or dried to infer climate and region—cooler climates often yield tarter profiles.
Discover Bordeaux’s diverse terroirs, from the Cabernet Sauvignon-dominant Left Bank to the Merlot-rich Right Bank, and explore its renowned sweet wines and classifications.
Discover effective strategies for WSET Level 3 success, including structured planning, mastering sparkling & fortified wines, & focusing on command words for exam readiness.
No matter your current skill level, we can help you improve – pass that exam, share your wine knowledge with others, guide your buyers, enhance your guests’ experience, and show up with confidence and credibility as a wine professional!
Feeling overwhelmed by everything there is to study in wine?
Struggling to stay consistent with tasting, or make it feel purposeful?
Craving connection with others who get what you’re working toward?
Let’s make studying wine less overwhelming, more consistent, and fully enjoyable!
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