GRAPE EXPECTATIONS

Clockwise from top left: Ferruccio Lamborghini, the founder of Automobili Lamborghini, was the son of grape farmers in Renazzo. The four bottles of wine in this Lamborghini Limited: LUXE Collection set are from Ferruccio’s Umbrian vineyard, where he retired in the late 1970s ($300; winebylamborghini.com). Louis Vuitton’s Coffret Champagne is fitted with an insulating wedge, and can hold champagne of various sizes fresh with ease. The insulating wedge can also be put in the freezer before utilization to maintain the perfect level of coldness of the bottle for up to 15 hours once inside. It is also equipped with a metallic water-resistant inside tray that can be used as an ice bucket. Price upon request (louisvuitton.com). Ranked the #1 Australian luxury-by-the-bottle producer on-premise and holding more 90+ scores than any other New World producer, Penfolds is beloved among wine aficionados all around the world. Bin 389 was often referred to as ‘Baby Grange’, in part because components of the wine are matured in the same barrels that held the previous vintage of Grange. First made in 1960 by the legendary Max Schubert, this was the wine that helped forge Penfolds reputation with red wine drinkers by combining the structure of cabernet sauvignon with the richness of shiraz. Exemplifying the judicious balance of fruit and oak, Bin 389 highlights the generous mid-palate Penfolds in known for (penfolds.com). Berkel Superior Champagne saber with black buffalo grip and forged stainless steel blade ($439; theberkelworld.com). Esteemed sommelier Enrico Bernardo shares his vision of the perfect cellar, and the list, featuring the most exceptional wines of the twentieth century, is the stuff of connoisseur’s dreams. This hand-bound oversized luxury edition with hand-tipped images, is presented in a wooden crate and delivered with white gloves and a signature canvas tote bag. The Most Impossible Collection of Wine: The 100 Most Exceptional Vintages of the Twentieth Century—204 pages, Assouline ($995; assouline.com). Cakebread Cellar’s flagship Napa Valley Chardonnay opens with aromas of ripe green and golden apple, accented by fresh white peach and light oak. Across the palate, this golden wine is silken in texture with flavors of apple, citrus and pear balanced by refreshing acidity. The long finish is clean, with underlying hints of minerality, vanilla and lemon. This is a versatile pairing wine—we love it with grilled seafood and nearly any selection of cheeses (cakebread.com). Etude Winery’s 2018 Estate Heirloom Pinot Noir exemplifies the iconic, superb flavors that make Etude a leader in Pinot Noir. Dark black cherry, red raspberry and cola spice are delicately interwoven with lavender and rosemary, which will impress your readers and those they toast alongside. While this is a structured wine with depth and balance, it is not overpowering, so it’s an ideal pair for a variety of holiday dishes, like a simple appetizer of tomato bruschetta or a heartier main course like roast beef (etudewines.com).

"The legendary Badrutt’s Palace Hotel (badruttspalace.com) is home to a 120-year- old hidden wine cellar, set 6,000 feet above sea level in the Swiss Alps. The collection includes more than 30,000 bottles: from the Palace’s own Completer wine made from a special local grape variety, to aged rarities like Château Lafite Rothschild 1900 and Château Ausone 1945, and delectable wines from iconic producers like Domaine Romanée Conti, Krug and Dom Perignon. Guests can book a private experience at the rustic Krug Stübli within the hotel’s historic wine cellar and enjoy an exclusive truffle fondue with Krüg Champagne pairings or visit the property’s newest mountainside dining destination, Paradiso, featuring an extensive wine list with more than 500 wines and a robust selection of exclusive Champagnes."

A delight for all the senses, The Ritz-Carlton, St. Louis’ VIP wine cellar is located in the heart of the hotel. Their 6,000-plus bottle inventory includes a private collection of wines, rare vintages like Burgundies going back to the 1930s, along with liquors such as a Macallan 25-year Highland Single Malt and Louis XIII de Rémy Martin Cognac. Meetings and events can be hosted in the cellar, where creative cuisine is paired with wines to enhance the flavors and textures of each dish. The space itself is intricately designed with 1,029 mahogany wine bins, Murano glass sconces and an oil mural depicting an Italian vineyard (ritzcarlton.com/en/hotels/st-louis).

Rock Angel COTES DE PROVENCE 2020 from Château d'Esclans is made from grapes grown from the most choice land in the surrounding region of La Motte en Provence. Consisting of primarily Grenache and Rolle, this bottle gives rosé lovers a bigger and richer wine that is fabulous as an aperitif or paired with a broad range of cuisine such as roast chicken, grilled game hens or pasta with cream sauce. Far from seasonal, this refined stunner is full of strawberry and red currant flavors with a tangy touch of pepper (esclans.com).