Enough with the stale fruitcake, stupid nativity scene decorations, and other crappy/kitschy gifts this holiday season. If you want your friends and family to hate you less, give the gift that everyone can get drunk off of and enjoy: wine! And while you’re at it, make it classy and “kick it up a notch” by making it a new sampler collection of wines curated by Chef Emeril Lagasse.

Brought to us by TastingRoom.com, the online resource for wine lovers, is extending their celebrity sampler collection by introducing this line from one of America’s most beloved chefs. His collection includes Emeril’s Everyday Sampler and Emeril’s Holiday Party Sampler, each with six different types of unique and delicious wines. These sets are perfect for friends and family members who are indecisive and/or have a short attention span. Or, if you yourself are forgetful and can’t remember what your second cousin’s new fiance’s mother’s favorite type of wine is.

“We are excited to announce the collaboration on this new collection with Emeril Lagasse, one of America’s favorite chefs.  Emeril is famed for ’kicking up’ traditional recipes, and these wine samplers are inspired by his exciting and flavorful culinary palate,” stated Tim Bucher, TastingRoom.com CEO. “Emeril also embodies TastingRoom.com’s passion and commitment to the culinary arts and the support of wineries around the world.”

Emeril’s Everyday Sampler is one for, well, everyday consumption, said to be “ideal for long lunches with friends or everyday dinners with the family.” Priced at $32.95 per wine sampler, the collection includes:

• 2011 Dry Creek Vineyard Dry Creek Valley Sauvignon Blanc
• 2010 Dr. Frank Finger Lakes Semi-Dry Riesling
• 2010 Coppola “Director’s Cut” Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
• 2010 Il Cuore “The Heart” Mendocino County Barbera
• 2010 Decoy Winery Sonoma County Merlot
• 2010 Fess Parker Santa Barbara County Syrah

For the upcoming holiday season, the no-brainer decision is Emeril’s Holiday Party Sampler. The collections feature wines from celebrated vineyards including Patz & Hall, Schug, and Francis Ford Coppola, all selected by Emeril himself. Priced at $39.95 per wine sampler, the collection includes:

• 2010 Schug Carneros Chardonnay
• 2010 Patz & Hall Sonoma Coast Chardonnay
• 2010 Patz & Hall Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir
• 2007 Jake-Ryan Cellars Bald Mtn. Vineyard Zinfandel
• 2009 Gundlach Bundschu Sonoma Valley Merlot
• 2009 Clayhouse “Show Pony” Red Cedar Vineyard Paso Robles Petite Sirah

The new collection of samplers can be purchased online at www.TastingRoom.com, along with a diverse selection of other fantastic wine offerings.

Get the holiday celebrations started!

Yours,
Von

About TastingRoom.com

TastingRoom.com is a unique online retailer that enables consumers to discover and consume wine in several formats. Their innovative Wine Samplers are curated collections of six premium wines from around the world packaged in small 50ml (1.7 oz.) bottles. Their Wines by the Glass allow consumers to enjoy a single 100ml (3.4 oz.) glass of wine (singles or 4-packs) similar to a restaurant experience but without leaving home. TastingRoom.com’s wine club allows members to make their own selections for each shipment, which includes a sampler and two bottles of the recipient’s choice. Whether it’s by the taste, by the glass or by the bottle, TastingRoom.com lets consumers enjoy wine the way they want it.

TastingRoom Inc. uses its patented TASTE Technology™ to transfer wine directly from regular-sized wine bottles (750ml and up) into smaller formats. A focus on wine quality drives every step of the transfer and testing process so that wineries and consumers alike can rest assured that the samples are a true representation of the original. TastingRoom.com customers can be confident they will enjoy every bottle they buy because they are able to sample the wine prior to making a purchase.