White, red, dessert or sparkling wines, port, mead, rose or champagne ... mans courtship with this intensely sensory yet cerebral indulgence has stood the long test of time. A symbol of refinement and culture, wine was initially an upper-class predilection until its liquid charms enticed the masses.

A mystical joy uplifts the true oenophile as he sips that rare wine. It refuses to stay quiet. It solicits company. The color, aroma, texture, layer and allure of wine must be analyzed and debated for a total experience. Initiating a greenhorn to its ethereal pleasures is a wine enthusiasts dream task. Inviting connoisseurs over for an evening of wine can be as sacred a ritual as royal rites of passage.

Modern winemaking techniques have drastically altered wine prices and made it a much more affordable beverage. Choices for wine baskets can be decided by budget, personal preferences or the temperament of the person to whom you are giving it to, or what food you would like the wine to be paired with. Specialty wine boutiques and select liquor stores offer enough guidance and popular combinations for an ideal handpicked wine hamper.

Wines are produced in France, Italy, USA (primarily California, Washington State and Oregon), South America (Argentina, Chile) and regions of Australia, Austria, Canada, Germany, Israel, New Zealand, Portugal and South Africa. Oxygen can rapidly remove fragrances, flavor and character from wine. Commercial wine usually has a two-year shelf life and must be consumed quickly once opened. Longevity-wise, dry white wines wither quickly, red wines pall in two days and port, Bordeaux or other fortified or sweet wines tend to last more than a week after opening.

Most wineries, retailers or distributors will take a case order and ensure delivery. Orders can be placed online too, especially if you have a wine club membership (usually available at no extra cost). Payment is by credit card. An order is usually dispatched discreetly to offices, because an adult must sign the delivery receipt.

Wine complements food like no other drink. Travel and entertainment has widened awareness of global wine trends. However, many states/countries have regulations on import of foreign wines. Know the hidden costs for tax, packaging and delivery before getting extravagant with that purple passion!

Winemaking is an art that takes the best of creativity and experimentation. A product of the land, wine intimately connects man to nature. The variety of grapes, soil, region, climate, temperature, blending options and storage containers can radically alter wine engineering. Delicate, crisp, refreshing, full-bodied, fruity, oaky or zesty, only wine simultaneously rejuvenates body, mind and soul.