Dark, smoky in flavor with hints of both tobacco and licorice, the 2009 Malbec from Doña Paula Estate is a full-bodied wine that suggests suitability for a hush-hush members-only event at the local Ol’ Boys Club.

Picture a smoking room with dark-wood paneled walls and suit-clad waiters pouring this wine.

Full of fruits like dark cherry and plum, the tannins are duly noted just like the high alcohol content.

Steak and chit-chat would be a nice pairing for this Argentinian wine from Mendoza.

At about $13-17 a bottle, we found this to be a good, solid wine but not remarkable.

Guest post by Zee Bacaling

After all the globe trotting you’ve been seeing on this site, from Mexico to Portugal and even to a Dutch city that starts with an apostrophe! No, I’m not joking, did you read about Den Bosch yet?

Anyway, you might have been buying a few wines while reading along with these world travelers.  Or, you might have 8 cases piled up in your garage and you keep meaning to go to Home Depot to at least look around for something quick and easy to do.

So you want to buy wine racks but are not sure where to start.

It has a lot to do with the amount of wine at hand, the type of wood, the amount of space available. You may also have to consider the space needs of your wine accessories, and the main purpose of your wine rack.

Will it simply hold your wines, or would you like it to include a tasting table?

When you buy wine racks, you need to do a full review of your options, as your wine rack should last a lifetime. We assume you already know the four key elements of wine storage: temperature, humidity, light, and the storage units themselves.

So here are few tips to keep in mind when you start on your wine rack buying adventure. We promise you that just like shopping for fine wines, looking around and buying wine racks that fit your needs perfectly is just as fun!

• Get wine smart: know and understand the difference between total bottle capacity and racked bottle capacity. How many bottles will be resting on racks, and how many will be resting on other bottles? The distinction is important because when bottles rest on bottles, they can break or get scratched, or the labels can smudge or tear. Bottles on bottles also are much harder to access than individually racked bottles.

• If you have a large home you may want to buy larger wine racks. If you are staying in a smaller place then maybe a hanging wine rack, or one that rests on your counter will do.

• Find out the size capacity of the wine rack openings inside the wine cabinet or wine rack. Some allow larger bottles and others do not.

• Check the surface smoothness of the wine rack. You will be pulling bottles in and out of it, so make sure that when you buy wine racks, no scratching or tearing of the bottle labels will happen.

• Fancy those smaller self-contained cabinets that often look like little refrigerators? Well they are excellent at providing the conditions of true wine cellars: steady cool temperatures, set humidity, and limited light.

• Buying off-the shelf is easier and cheaper, but know that you can also purchase wine racks custom-made to fit your specific space.

Guest Author: Zee Bacaling is with the Marketing Department at Wine Cellar Innovations. She loves writing about wine racks and wine cellars and looking at the amazing photos that come through from client’s wine storage solutions. Follow them on Twitter or find them on Facebook.

Guest Post by Natalie MacLean

“Wine is one of the few presents that makes both the giver and the receiver look good,” says Natalie MacLean, the red-nosed e-sommelier behind nataliemaclean.com, one of the largest wine web sites. “You look like you spent a bundle on the gift (even if you didn’t) and the recipients are happy that you think they know something about wine (even if they don’t).”

Here are some wine recommendations for the Top 10 Tough-To-Buy-For People on Your Holiday List:

1. Hairdresser: For the person who combines humor and optimism every time she styles your mop. Go for a light, gulpable wine like a dry rosé. It’s versatile and fuss-free—a great quaff for your coif.

2. Psychiatrist: Of course, he’ll analyze whatever you give him so choose a wine that’s all about balance. Easy-drinking pinot noir is medium-bodied yet packed with flavor. Surprise him with a large-format bottle, like a magnum. Big thinking means big progress for you. This wine also works for psychologists, marriage counselors and bartenders.

3. The Boss: Pick too pricey a wine and your boss will think your last raise was too much; go cheap, and she’ll think you lack judgement. Focus on a label with a lot of white space since that makes the bottle look more expensive. A castle in the distance also works, but avoid fluffy animals.

4. Personal Trainer: Think a muscular, robust red would work? Hold that position. Instead, try riesling: this light white wine pairs well with a health-nut diet of salad and seafood, plus it’s low in alcohol. You can also give it to Pilates instructors, yoga masters and Tai Chi coaches.

5. Financial Planner: You and he both know it’s going to take decades before your portfolio recovers after the crash of 2008. With that long-term view, vintage port makes the perfect gift. This fortified wine from northern Portugal, with its long aging potential, will be around for both of you into your retirements.

6. Travel Agent: She’s been everywhere and seen everything, so go local with your choice of wine. Even better, if you live close to the winery, get the bottle signed by the winemaker.

7. Teacher: If you can’t find a suitably obscure wine with a Latin name, there’s always cream sherry. It’s the tipple of Oxford dons, not to mention the centerpiece of Edgar Allan Poe’s classic short story The Case of the Amontillado.

8. Mail Deliverer: Go for a winery that’s consistent year after year in producing a wine that can be enjoyed in snow, rain, sleet or hail. Try an Australian shiraz or Argentine malbec.

9. Mechanic: Yes, there’s a wine called Red Truck, but try to be more imaginative. Why not give a wine made by Mario Andretti in California or Ferrari in Italy?

10. Online Date: So you’re on your second or third rendezvous with the person you met on eHarmony or Dating.com. If you’re not sure yet whether marriage is a possibility, try something middle-of-the-road, like merlot. Yes, it’s the soft jazz of wine, but until you know, play it safe.

And after all that shopping, don’t forget yourself: even Santa’s little helpers need more than milk and cookies. Try something with high-alcohol like Italian Amarone or Rhone syrah: these big reds easily drown out tone-deaf caroling and pair beautifully with tired feet.

GUEST AUTHOR: Natalie MacLean is an independent journalist and author of the bestseller Red, White and Drunk All Over.

More than 115,000 wine and food lovers subscribe to her free monthly e-newsletter. Nat was named the World’s Best Drink Writer at the World Food Media Awards in Australia. View her bio at NatalieMaclean.com.

Looking for excellent, exotic wines from around the world but aren’t able to just jet across the world to taste them for yourself? Welcome to the club!

Actually, it’s more like welcome to the International Wine of the Month Club. Their highly selective tasting panel spits so you can enjoy only the best wines in the comfort of your own home!

There are 3 membership types available ranging from 2 months, 12 months, or open- ended. Prices range from $29.95 – $65.95 per month depending on the wine you wish to receive. Each package gives you the choice of red wine, white wine, or both.

TravelPlusWine was recently sent a sample membership for review and we were very impressed with both the quality of wine and educational aspect of the International Wine of the Month Club. Each wine bottle is packaged with a Cellar Notes newsletter containing tasting notes, information about the grape variety, food accompaniments, and a recipe.

We tasted a 2007 Cannonball Cabernet Sauvignon (California) as well as a 2009 Domaine Talmard Mâcon Chardonnay (France). Both wines have the quality and elements in place to sip alone or enjoy with food.

Not sure what food to serve with these wines? Consult your Cellar Notes, it’ll all there!

Don’t forget the holidays are fast approaching. If you’re not sure what to get a wine- loving friend or family member, you won’t disappoint with these wines!

The International Wine of the Month Club offers great value with a wine education making this a definite TravelPlusWine recommendation!

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