I have adored The Handpicked Collection since I found the most perfect gift for new Grandparents on their website, so when they offered me the chance to review something from their Top 25 Bestsellers list, I pretty much bit their hands off. Granted this is a little bit trickier online, but suffice to say that involved a huge number of exclamation marks and Thank Yous.
Anyhoo, despite coveting pretty much everything, I generously aquiesced to DH’s mumbles about a decanter and thus find myself sitting this evening with very good friends and a jolly good bottle of wine. Lord M has a solid background in wine-appreciation, having grown up in South Africa, and sometime employee of a ‘majestic’ supplier of alcohol. Lady M is a discerning shopper and knows a thing of beauty when she spies it. They both went ‘ooo’ when they saw it, although that was in all likelihood a reaction to my photographing the decanter in use before we sampled the wine.
It is, quite simply, beautiful. A simple design that you would be happy to have sitting out on the sideboard when not in use. I love the tactile oak stopper, the lovely curve of the neck. And the pour is excellent too: no dripping, good aeration. The wine was excellent too, since you asked, a Mercurey given to us for a wedding present. And, as Lord M remarked, “for that price, you really can’t go wrong.”
Whether a decanter is on your Christmas list or not, I suggest that you visit www.handpickedcollection.com and take a look at their fantastic gift ideas. I guarantee that you’ll find something for everyone. Based on personal experience, their customer service is second to none, so it’s no surprise that they’ve been declared Best Online Gift Store in the Sheerluxe Online Shopping Awards, marking its second win in consecutive years. And if you like their facebook page before 16th December 2011, you could win £1000 to spend. That would take care of your Christmas!
Disclaimer: it should be apparent that I was supplied the Decanter free of charge. The wine, and the slightly tipsy review, is all mine.
Loving my alter ego ‘Lady’ M The ‘ooooo’ btw was at the beauty of said decanter rather than at you photographing it!! CT Xx