‘Tis the Season–Year 2

Last year, in November (I think) I proposed a bit of a take on the Secret Santa idea, the “rules” of which are outlined below. I repost most of that suggestion now, wondering if there is any interest to do it again this year. I decided to present the idea a bit earlier this year since I was not able to send of my wine to my recipient until April because he lives in Minnesota, which did not see temperatures above 25 degrees for about 837 straight days.

I have never been very keen about the whole “Secret Santa” idea, particularly at work. I inevitably get stuck with someone I despise, but nonetheless try to find “the perfect gift.” It usually is met with “What? Why didn’t you just give me some wine? I thought you were, like, a professional wino or something!”

Then I open my gift and it is a pair of polyester socks with a very drunk looking Santa drinking a glass of wine. The giver starts laughing hysterically and I try to crack a smile, knowing they just spent $15 on something that was going to go right into the trash

I also can’t help thinking: “What? Why didn’t you just give me some wine? I am, after all, like a amateur wino!”

This year, I thought I would propose something to all the rest of you winos out there (professional and amateur alike). What would you say to a “Secret Wino Wine Swap”?

The idea is similar to the whole Secret Santa thing, but this way no one will be stuck with at best another crappy corkscrew or at worst one of those Corksicles. Here are the guidelines:

You send me your address (to jeff (at) thedrunkencyclist (dot) com). I will then randomly assign you someone to whom you will send wine, and someone who will send wine to you. You will then get an email from me stating to whom you are to send the wine. The person sending you the wine will remain anonymous (until you get the wine, of course).
You select 1-2 bottles of wine that you either purchase or grab from our cellars.
There is a lower limit on the retail price of the wine(s) ($25), which you can of course exceed….
NO SAMPLES (for ethical as well as not wanting to be labeled a complete jack-donkey don’t send any wine you got for free, no matter how cute that critter is on the label).
Limited to people with a U.S. address.
Indicate if you have any strong limitations (e.g., Red Only or No German Riesling!)
Get the wine shipped out before Thanksgiving, if possible.

Then at the end of the process, we all will have some more fodder for our beloved blogs.

From Etsy

What do you think? Let me know in the comments if you like/hate the idea and if you have any further suggestions/deletions from the above. We would need to get this ball rolling by the end of next week at the latest, I would think.

*I am kidding about John (aka FWH)–he is one of the few bloggers I have met, and he is a very nice guy.

About the drunken cyclist

I have been an occasional cycling tour guide in Europe for the past 20 years, visiting most of the wine regions of France. Through this "job" I developed a love for wine and the stories that often accompany the pulling of a cork. I live in Houston with my lovely wife and two wonderful sons.

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