2105 BN GIFT GUIDE: 10 BEAUTIFUL FOOD & DRINK GIFTS TO GIVE NOW

1. FRUIT CRISPS -- SIMPLE & CRISP

Fruit Crisps, by Simple & Crisp are beautiful alternatives to crackers on a cheese or charcuterie platter. Available in blood orange, apple, and pear, pile these dried fruit wafers into a vintage tin or onto a special tray -- or layer into a blown glass jar and pair with a special vodka -- to make a special cocktail gift.

2. ART NOUVEAU PÂTE-DE-VERRE TRAY

This French Art Nouveau Pâte-de-verre Tray, by Bergé and Walter, adds beauty to whatever you’re serving. Add some artisanal cheese and a pile of Simple & Crisp Fruit Crisps (see above) and you’ve crafted a gorgeous gift for a foodie friend.

Signed, "A Walter Nancy” and “Bergé SC”.

Available at 1st Dibs.

3. VAN PERCKENS NR. 8 CHAMPAGNE COOLER

The Van Perckens Nr. 8 Champagne Cooler set was crafted from 7 kilograms of solid 20-carat gold, along with fine lead crystal. You can make this gift even more amazing by ordering the cooler set with over a quarter of a million dollars worth of diamonds. It is also available in gold-plated and silver versions.

The set can serve 6 people. It comes in a high gloss gilded rosewood case, complete with a sliding drawer that houses a pair of signature black gloves and the Van Perckens champagne goblets.

4. ARMAND DE BRIGNAC MIDAS

Armand de Brignac Midas, aka “Ace of Spades” Champagne, makes an exceptionally beautiful gift of Champagne. The label, now owned by Jay-Z, offers a giant 30L, gold-painted bottle, your friend would love to receive. All pinot noir, the Ace is considered the world’s most expensive Champagne.

5. PENFOLD’S AMPOULE

Ever wish you could sample the best wines in the world? Penfold’s Ampoule makes it possible.

Try a few sips of a coveted vintage Château d’Yquem or a stellar Kalimna Cabernet Sauvignon. Each blown glass ampoule holds enough to make for a memorable experience. It sits in a bespoke wooden case designed by Andrew Bartlett.

This is a gift for a truly rare and important friend. Only 12 Penfold’s Ampoules have ever been produced.

6. DARTZ RUSSO-BALTIQUE VODKA

Why would a car manufacturer want to make its own vodka? Dartz developed Russo-Baltique, with a bottle  designed to mimic the classic lines of Russo-Balt automobiles.

Retailing at $1.3 million, you can get 3 bottles thrown in for good measure when you purchase a $1.6 million Dartz Prombron Monaco Red Diamond Edition SUVs. That way, you can give yourself and your friends something beautiful in one grand swoop!

7. DIVA VODKA

Need a gift for a beloved Diva? At the top of the vodka heap, you will find Diva Vodka, made by Blackwood Distillers. It is considered to be one of the purest vodka’s on the market, distilled 3 times through ice, Nordic birch charcoal, and finally through gemstones that have been crushed into a fine sand.

A glass rod forms the core of each bottle. It is filled with 48 Swarovski crystals, as well as an assortment of cubic zirconia, pink tourmaline, smoky topaz, amethyst, citrine and peridotite gems.

8. VODKA MARIETTE

Award-winning Vodka Mariette, named after a “Little Rebel” French girl highlights a different female entrepreneur each month to encourage women in business. You can learn more about it here.

The vodka is made from French, GMO-free whole wheat and special naturally deionized water sourced from the Ambes Spring. Distilled 5 times, it yields an exceptionally smooth, crisp, and refreshing sip.

While vodka is often devoid of flavor, Vodka Mariette boasts subtle notes of sweet florals, candied lemon, lavender, and jasmine, while delivering a luxurious mouthfeel.

The stunning black opaque bottle makes this an even more gorgeous gift.

9. LOUIS XIII

Remy Martin’s Louis XIII is the most award-winning French cognac. Delighting a lucky few since 1715, this Cognac is made from Grande Champagne grapes, its fans have included royalty and celebrities, including Christian Dior, Elton John and Winston Churchill.

The Louis XIII crystal decanter is topped with gilded stopper. It comes nestled in its own velvet lined wardrobe.

10. THE MACALLAN LALIQUE WHISKEY

Rene Lalique just celebrated its 150th birthday by partnership with The Macallan, one of the world’s finest Scotch whiskey labels, producing the most precious whiskey decanter. Made using the lost wax method, this Lalique treasure.

While it was auctioned for at Sotheby’s a few years ago raising money for Charity Water, there is a magnificent range of The Macallan Lalique Special Edition decanters still available for purchase. Check them out here.

11. AMEDEI TUSCANA

Award-winning Amedei Porcelana, of Tuscany, Italy, is one of world's most expensive chocolates, made by Amedei Tuscana. 

Amedei Porcelana is made from translucent, white "Porcelana" cocoa beans, a genetically pure strain of the highly prized Criollo beans, native to Venezuela.

Amedei produces about 20,000 bars a year from this cocoa bean.

Read more about Beautiful Gifts , as it relates to Arts/Design, Nature/Science, Food/Drink, Place/Time, Mind/Body, and Soul/Impact including BN 2015 Gift Guide: 10 Beautiful Books to Give Now and Extraordinary Gifts Now.

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IMAGE CREDITS:

1. Image: by Geneva Anderson, of ART Hound. Fruit Crisps, by Simple & Crisp.
2. Image: Courtesy of 1st Dibs. Art Nouveau Pâte-de-verre Tray, by Bergé and Walter.
3. Image: Courtesy of Van Perckens. NR. 8 Champagne Cooler.
4. Image: Courtesy of Armand de Brignac Midas. Armand de Brignac 30L.
5. Image: Courtesy of Penfolds. 2004 Block 42. Penfolds Ampoule.
6. Image: Courtesy of Dartz's Russo-Baltique. Dartz's Russo-Baltique Vodka.
7. Image: Courtesy of Diva Vodka.
8. Image: Courtesy of Vodka Mariette.  
9. Image: Courtesy of Remy Martin. Louis XIII.
10. Image: Courtesy of The Macallan. The Macallan Lalique Whiskey.
11. Image: Courtesy of Amedei Tuscana. Le Selezioni Gift Box.
12. Image: Courtesy of The Macallan. The Macallan Lalique Whiskey.
13. Image: Courtesy of Penfolds. 2004 Block 42. Penfolds Ampoule.
14. Image: by BN App - Download now!
15. Image: Courtesy of Dartz's Russo-Baltique. Dartz's Russo-Baltique Vodka.