Boston Common - Niche Media - A side of Boston that's anything but common.
Issue link: http://www.ifoldsflip.com/i/209310
What's red, white, and clear? A Zalto wine glass, of course. Melanie DeCarolis, a City Wine Tours ambassador and the founder of the blog Kiss My Glass Boston, counts these Austrian crystal stems—fit for Chablis to Merlot—among her top oenophile gifts. "The curves of the bowls are tilted toward the angles of the earth," she says. Every holiday season, DeCarolis devotes herself to finding the perfect wine gift, and accessories top her shopping list. "You don't need to know your recipient's tastes in wine itself and run the risk of getting something they're going to dislike." DeCarolis is convinced she may have even made stronger friendships based on a few well-turned-out presents. "I purchased a crystal carafe for a bridal shower gift. At their wedding a few months later at the Harvard Club, the bride asked me if I recognized the carafe at their table. They included it in their celebration, which of course thrilled me greatly." FROM LEFT: Wine glass, Zalto ($60). Lower Falls Wine Company, 2366 Washington St., Newton, 617-332-3000; lowerfallswine.com. Carat Rio bottle stopper, Orrefors ($50). Bloomingdale's, The Mall at Chestnut Hill, 617-630-6000; bloomingdales.com. Bristol decanter, Simon Pearce ($175). 103 Newbury St., 617-450-8388; simonpearce.com. Harcourt Happy Hour glass, Baccarat ($140). Neiman Marcus, Copley Place, 617-536-3660; neimanmarcus.com. William Yeoward Rachel magnum crystal wine decanter, Tiffany & Co. ($350). The Shops at Prudential Center, 617-353-0222; tiffany.com PHOTOGRAPHY BY JEFF GALE. OPPOSITE PAGE: DOMENICK REUTER (RAMESH) HEART OF GLASS 130 BOSTONCOMMON-MAGAZINE.COM 128-133_BC_F_GiftGuide_Holiday_13.indd 130 11/4/13 10:11 AM