The gift that both disappoints and amuses

Full Review
Wine Country's "gourmet" baskets deceptively packaged, grossly overpriced (Delete your comment)
by tutor666
I received one of Wine Country's "gourmet" baskets (the "Little Lakes" wine basket) as a Christmas gift. It arrived on time and it was competently packaged. While it's always the thought that counts, the basket I received was grossly overpriced and deceptively marketed. What appears to be a gigantic basket of holiday goodies is really a mirage, a marketing trick, bordering on fraudulent.

For instance, the "Bavarian style, gourmet pretzels" are packaged in a 5.5" x 8" box. When you open it, you discover a small bag which takes up only half the space. Inside that bag, which is only half-full, there are six very small and very ordinary pretzels. Yes, six small, hard, broken, stale pretzels in a large box. It's both comical and sad, like a clown in a too-big suit. Evidently "Bavarian" is German for "bottom of the barrel."

The "Roasted garlic crackers" were hard as a rock and similarly packaged. Dentists must salivate (and not in a good way) over these.

The "Merlot cheddar cheese spread" (hosed into a tiny tub) is simply horrifying. Think imitation Cheez Whiz, made in Kazakhstan. Where they put the Merlot and cheddar is a mystery, 'cause it ain't in the tub. Maybe "Merlot" means "yellow and sticky."

The chocolate products were cheap-tasting and minimalist (i.e. you get only a couple pieces of each). They're gone before you realize what you've eaten, which isn't necessarily a bad thing.

The best thing I can say about the wine itself is that it is unremarkable and it probably won't kill you. But at $49.95 (plus $11.95 shipping) for three small bottles and a handful of very cheap "gourmet" snacks, this $61.90 basket of disappointments is sure to, well, disappoint. I would rate its true value at about $22, tops.