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With the holidays rapidly approaching it is time to find that awe-inspiring gift for the wine lover on your list. This sounds like a simple task but as my family would tell you it is not! One option is to head out to a wine store and pick up a bottle of wine, simple right? Not so fast. Unless you are an avid wine drinker, you might not know that the 1997 vintage of California Cabernets was far better than 1998 or that your special wine lover drinks only organic wine. So here is my solution. Instead or buying your wine aficionado a bottle of wine they might like, go for the dazzling array of wine accessories available to you.

There are so many options for wine accessories these days with countless options available in your favorite wine (even book) store. I have searched around for what I think are some of the best gift ideas for all kinds of wine lovers. Here are some of my favorites:

For the Traveler:
Those with a penchant for enjoying new places far and near would be the ideal recipients of a regional wine tour package: a tour by limousine to various regional vineyards, followed by a overnight stay at a nearby bed and breakfast. There are over 20 Maryland wineries from the Western-most reaches of the state to the Eastern Shore. Even Virginia has a burgeoning crop of vineyards producing quality wines. During winter months, many vineyards host indoor wine tastings, dinners, candlelight tours, and more fun events. Putting together a wine tour package is highly customizable, allowing you to pick and choose where to send your special someone(s) to; a wine tour is perhaps best enjoyed with a group of friends and family. A great place to begin researching Maryland's vineyards is MarylandWine.com, while a starting point for Virginia is www.virginiawines.org. Also, talk with your local wine storeowners to find out what suggestions and services they have to offer; some local businesses put together their own tour packages.

For the Social Butterfly:
Do you have a wine loving friend that loves to throw parties? A wine party kit is the answer. There are a variety of kits on the market that include everything you need to host your own wine tasting party. One of my new favorites in Time To Wine Party Kit developed by a Maryland resident after attending the Maryland Wine Festival in Westminster. The Time To Wine Party Kit allows you to host a blind tasting party for up to 10 people. Each person receives a rating and instruction card, marking pencil, and wine rating stickers. In theme with my motto "demystifying wine one glass at a time", this game takes the mystery out of wine and just gets to the basic point. Do you like this wine or not. All wines are covered with the bags provided and then rated with a sticker, which ever wine has the most stickers wins. What could be easier? This is a great way to bring friends together to enjoy an evening of wine and friendship, whether they are wine experts or novices. For $29.00 the kit includes wine rating cards, rating stickers, wine bags, pencils, wine tasting trivia game cards, wine bottle tags, wine sign in sheet and complete instructions. You can find the Time To Wine Party Kit online at TimeToWineOnline.com.

For the Gadget Lover:
If your wine lover is like me they love to have new wine gadgets. Whether it is a new fangled wine opener or a decanter these accessories make enjoying a great bottle of wine more fun. This year the hot new opener is the Oster Electric Wine Opener. With a touch of a button your cork is extracted from the bottle in perfect condition. Not only can you quickly open a bottle of wine, but your corks will be preserved as well, so you can use them to produce beautiful corkboards or wreaths. The opener sits on a base that charges the unit and it can open up to 30 bottles on a full charge. The Oster Electric Wine Opener can be found at most local wine stores for about $20 retail and also includes a foil cutter.

For the Wine Bookworm:
If your wine lover devours every wine book released or you know someone who loves experimenting with food and wine pairing this is the gift. Food and wine pairing is a complex topic and can take years to master, unless you let the experts do the work for you. Since you probably don't want to hire your own personal sommelier I have found an easier way--read What to Drink With What You Eat: The Definitive Guide to Pairing Food With Wine, Beer, Spirits, Coffee, Tea--even water--Based on Expert Advice from America's Best Sommeliers, written by Andrew Dornenburg and Karen Page. This couple is well respected in the restaurant industry having written a number of culinary books including Culinary Artistry that are invaluable to chefs and foodies alike. Now they have decided to tackle beverages. What to Drink With What You Eat is the most comprehensive guide to matching food and drink that I have seen. The book has useful advice from America's top chefs, sommeliers and wine experts. You'll find out how to stock your home with the essential beverages, ranging from beer, spirits and of course wines. The last half of the book is a reference guide where you can look up either the dish you are creating or the wine you want to drink to find its perfect match. This book will save you time and money by helping you create great pairings that enhance every meal. What to Drink With What You Eat retails for approximately $35 at your local book store or online.

Hopefully one of ideas will help you dazzle that wine lover on your holiday shopping list. Of course it would only enhance these gifts to visit your local wine store and find a special bottle to add to the gift. Also remember that sometimes we have to give ourselves what we wish others would give us, so there is no shame in putting yourself on your shopping list. No matter what you give or receive I wish all of you a happy and wine filled holiday season with the people you care about . . . Cheers!

Professional wine coach Laurie Forster studied with the American Sommelier Association in Manhattan and earned a certificate in Viticulture and Vinification. Ms. Forster now works with private and corporate clients to create events and wine tours that demystify wine one glass at a time. For more information on Ms. Forster visit TheWineCoach.com.