Today I'm writing to tell you about my wishlist of wine-themed gifts for this Christmas... which I will then DISINTERESTATELY link to all my friends ;-D I anticipate that selecting them was tough... then in the end I decided to profile the #winelover so that I could help you identify the perfect gift! Ah!!! I anticipate that any reference to person or fact is not random but deliberately sought! Are you ready? Let the search for the perfect Christmas gift for your sommelier friend begin!
I know... it's 15 December, in 10 days it's Christmas... but you're not going to tell me I'm the only one who has yet to start gift-giving... are you? 😀
Those who know me well know my deep interest in psychology and interiority that has led me over the years to study the life, death and miracles of the Armenian philosopher Georges Ivanovič Gurdjieff, whom I will never thank enough for making me fall in love with Franco Battiato. Gurdjieff's recipe has fascinating ingredients such as Sufism, Islamic mysticism (we are talking about sacred dances not ISIS!), esotericism and Greek philosophy. The apparently unbelievable thing is that the 3 geniuses I have always admired above all else, i.e. the painter Klimt, the singer-songwriter Battiato and the architect Whright (I even reproduced the House on the Waterfall and made a beautiful model of it that I still have at home!) were inspired in their work by Gurdjieff... and I didn't know it! But since I'm not here to talk philosophy to you, I just want to tell you that Gurdjieff created the personality enneagram, which identifies 9 personality types to which mankind can be traced. In fact, if you look at the people you know, you will see that they have a dominant character, and that this can be traced back to one of them. The enneagram is used today in many areas, even in personnel selection, and now I want to give you a key to it that is both serious and nice at the same time!
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TYPE 1: THE IDEALISTIC DRUNKARD
Critical of himself and others, the idealist is a #winelover who strives to improve things within and without, creating a world of justice and moral order. He is a perfectionist, fair-minded and sincere wine lover. He has practical sense, self-control, seriousness and inflexibility.... but can be pedantic and fussy. He makes incredible fuss about clutter, believes he is always right and strives to improve your life. Take advantage of Christmas to improve his - how? Treat him to a nice wine cellar or shelf to keep his wine bottles tidy!!!
- Wooden wine cellar - modular modules
- Tescoma, support shelf for 6 bottles
... what can I say... I've had it for many years and it's as good as new! I love it! Here I keep the wines I use for cooking and keep them on the kitchen worktop! Beautiful, comfortable and cleans up with a wipe of a sponge. For me it really is a wonderful gift!
- Wooden barrel-shaped bottle rack 24 places
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TYPE 2: THE ALTRUISTIC DRUNKARD
The altruistic #winelover constantly seeks affection and approval and needs others to need him. He has a spirit of sacrifice and is dedicated to others, but at the same time tends to manipulate them. He is expansive and tends to give good advice. If he does not feel gratified, he can become whiny and feel victimised. Do you have a sommelier friend who fits this description? Let him know that you need him and his advice to become a sommelier... or involve him in your food and wine adventures! How? Simple! Choose a gift box for two and ask him to invite you to help him better understand a terroir... of his choice!
- SMARTBOX - Gift box set - A TUTTO SVAGO PER DUE - Tastings, wellness moments, sport, art and culture
Or if you feel like coming to Franciacorta contact me to visit the most beautiful wine cellars in the area at a special price <3
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TYPE 3: THE ORGANISING DRUNKARD
He seeks to be loved for his abilities and for what he does (sometimes neglecting what he is). He has a lively and responsive personality, is capable and efficient, and strongly desires to do well. But he often lives in a state of comparison, giving much importance to what appears. The risk he runs is to confuse the real self with the typical image of the group to which he belongs. Since this type of drunkard cannot stand inefficiency and constantly wonders if he is good enough at what he does and is a control freak... the Moleskine for organising all his wines is absolutely perfect! And if you combine it with the Moleskine for storing and organising all his recipes... you're in for a treat 😉
TYPE 4: THE DRUNKEN ARTIST
He has a great artistic sense, taste for beauty, sense of colour. He is intuitive, romantic, dreamy, extravagant. He cares about image and dresses in an extravagant or sophisticated manner. He is melancholic and does not know how to live in the present: he takes refuge in the past or dreams of the future. He loves the unusual, the eccentric, the exceptional. He expresses himself through art: he can be a poet, a musician, a painter, a potter, a florist, a designer. He does not disdain strange situations, scandals and forbidden things. Here I really do have the perfect gift... I think the only hand-painted corkscrew at an affordable price: a brightly coloured budgie by Alessi!
- Alessi, Parrot Proust: Professional sommelier corkscrew in die-cast aluminium and hand-decorated PC
- Tescoma - goblet recognition rings in 12 colours
- Trudeau Tulip Glass Placeholders, set 12 colours
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TYPE 5: THE THINKING DRUNKARD
He keeps a certain emotional distance from others. He defends his intimacy and does not get involved. He speaks little, is introverted, is observant; he may be a researcher or an inventor. He is a good listener, quiet, amiable and kind; but he also appears cold and distant. This type of drunk loves to isolate himself by reading a good book... and loves to feel cultured because of it! He doesn't like public speaking or showing off... but he loves to understand how things work and always know more. so I've made a small selection for you based on my little library.
- 1001 wines to drink at least once in a lifetime
- Andrea Scanzi - In Praise of Ageing
- Slow Wine - The pleasure of wine. How to learn to drink better
- Sandro Sangiorgi - The Invention of Joy. Educating oneself on wine. Dream, civilisation, language
- Mario Soldati - Wine to Wine
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TYPE 6: THE (TRUSTED) COLLABORATOR DRUNKARD
He is fearful, conscientious, tormented by doubt. At times he is distrustful and suspicious. He is inclined to procrastinate and is afraid to act because exposing himself can lead to being attacked. He has team spirit, is reliable, loyal and rule-abiding. He identifies with the causes of the weak, sacrifices himself and is loyal to the cause. He does not like to go off the rails, is untrusting and afraid of making mistakes and therefore asks himself 1000 questions. The perfect gift? A good guidebook, so you can study what to drink first and not have any unforeseen events 😉 Granted that there is no better guidebook than the AIS Vitae guidebook, which is why I absolutely recommend you become an AIS member to receive it at home, if you already are I also find these interesting... and then of course there's Veronelli! PS: soon I'll tell you about the new Vitae guide... I'm waiting for all AIS members to receive it for free at home... everyone has already talked about it before and after the presentation... but I like the idea of people leafing through the printed guide while reading my opinions 😉
- Slow wine 2016 - Stories of life, vineyards, wines in Italy
- Essential Guide to the Wines of Italy 2016
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TYPE 7: THE OPTIMISTIC DRUNKARD
He is a person sustained by a condition of vitality, joy and permanent energy that makes him attractive. He is outgoing, creative and open to the opportunities that life offers. He has many interests, is communicative and versatile, loves to play and have fun. He loves variety and everything that helps to celebrate life: trips, parties, singing, meals in restaurants. He wants to have 'more' of everything and does not want to grow up (Peter Pan). Often has weight problems (hates diets) and lives from excess. For this somewhat childlike drunkard who loves to play... why not experiment with a good board game?
- Myster Vino - the board game of 2 friends and mothers from the Marche region I haven't yet managed to play it in a mixed tournament of sommeliers and enthusiasts... and also non enthusiasts... but I'm just planning for the holidays! For now, I can tell you that the packaging is very nice and I also really appreciated the handwritten dedication of the authors! Reward them by giving this game as a present... at Christmas, there's nothing better than a party game with the people you love! And if it's handmade by two Italian mum tasters... well, I choose them! No matter what!
TYPE 8: CHIEF DRUNKARD
He is a strong, realistic and action-oriented person. He has clear and deep opinions about things. He has a strong sense of justice: protective and combative, he often stands up for himself and his loved ones. He is aggressive, direct, authoritarian, gives orders willingly. He controls everything and everyone, and tends to impose his power on others. He is provocative, quarrelsome, and can instil fear. We all have a slightly 'hot-headed' friend... and I've been thinking a lot about the perfect wine gift! And I got there!!!!!! These individuals love to punish the guilty... so get a nice whip... hahaha no kidding! For the head drunkard, it's enough to feel like the leader of a team... so how about rewarding him with a nice gift box dedicated to wine tasting? Let him organise everything, for that day he will be your guide 😉
TYPE 9: THE MEDIATING DRUNKARD
A calm, friendly and practical person, characterised by a natural goodness, simplicity and amiability. He is not inclined to criticise or judge people, but rather seeks to bring reconciliation and peace where there is tension and conflict. He is diplomatic, sincere and loving... but he is also easy to influence and is carried away by the current! For this king of diplomacy I thought a lot about it... but I found such a beautiful wall decoration that I finally bought it too! And it costs a few euros!!!!
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TYPE 10: THE DRUNKEN MILAN FAN
(but how, weren't there 9? Yes, well, but this bottle is too beautiful as well as good... and I have a lot of Milan friends 😀 )
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The Franciacorta Rossonero chosen by Milan is the Satén, a selection of the best Chardonnay-only grapes harvested exclusively by hand in the most suitable vineyards. The Chardonnay-only grapes that make up this wine come from our best vineyards, some of the oldest on the estate, which, positioned towards Lake Iseo, reap all the benefits of its microclimate. The grapes are exclusively softly pressed with the Marmonier vertical press. Fermentation partly takes place in lightly toasted barriques to give the wine elegance, finesse and notes of vanilla. It has a soft mousse with delicate perlage and a beautiful straw-yellow colour of varying hue depending on the vintage. The nose presents a complex bouquet with hints of tropical fruit of acacia and lime. In the mouth it denotes a pleasant tactile sensation of silkiness. Ideal pairings for this wine: delicate first courses, fish and white meat. Serve at 7/8 degrees.
BUY NOW THE FRANCIACORTA DEDICATED TO YOUR FAVOURITE TEAM!
And what type are you? Have you ever taken the Enneagram test? If you don't know it here's a link where you can do it right away: CLICK HERE TO TAKE THE ENNEAGRAM TEST FOR FREE
One last thing! I signed up for Amazon Prime for Christmas to make sure my presents would arrive in time for Christmas! Amazon Prime is a great thing... because you have:
- Free 1-day delivery on over 1 million products
- Free and unlimited photo storage space
- Access to Amazon BuyVIP Preview Offers from 10pm the night before the event
BUT ESPECIALLY THE FIRST MONTH IS FREE! AND YOU CAN UNSUBSCRIBE AT ANY TIME AT NO EXTRA COST! So do what I do: sign up for Amazon Prime, buy your gifts and then cancel your membership! It costs you nothing... and you get your gifts within 24 hours with free shipping 😉 SIGN UP NOW!
I hope I was helpful!
See you soon,
Chiara
P.S. My result? 5 answers of type 3 and 5 answers of type 4... in other words, I am a differently organised drunken artist! 😀 If you'd like to leave a comment with your result... or send the test to your friends to find out what type they are! And be sure to let me know what you're giving at Christmas! They could be great ideas for me too!
P.P.S. While waiting, I bought this Vireo - USB stick in the shape of a cork, 16 GB
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