The holiday season is here, and as the song says, “It’s the most wonderful time of the year.” It is also one of the busiest times of the year – shopping, planning, parties, out-of-town guests, and cooking, all creates holiday stress. Many of these stresses can be eliminated by planning wine needs early.
The right wines bring joy, and even relaxation, to this busy season. The following wines will take you through the holidays in style, stress-free.
Gifts
Simply your gift giving list with wine. From approachable and affordable, to elegant and sophisticated, wine is the gift of joy.
Boss
2015 Château La Tour Carnet Grand Cru Haut-Médoc Bordeaux ($38): broad-shoulder wine built to last, delivers well above price, medium-bodied, harmonious, elegant
2015 Château Fombrauge Saint-Emilion Grand Cru Bordeaux ($36): feminine, red fruit, floral, licorice, chocolate, chewy tannins, will age beautifully
2012 Domaine Carneros Le Reve Blanc de Blancs ($115) show stealer, fine perlage, citrus, tropical, and orchard fruit mingle with white flowers, crisp, elegant
Secret Santa
2017 Troon Vineyards Estate Vermentino Oregon ($18): a gift to wow, crisp citrus, herbal, salinity, this wine begs for food
2015 Hecht & Bannier Côtes de Provence Rosé ($33): mineral driven, crisp red berries, herbal, mouth-watering acidity, another food wine that’s sure to please
Teacher
2016 Pratsch Grüner Veltliner Rotenpullen Niederösterreich Austria ($18): crisp and refreshing, citrus, stone fruit, grassy, mouth-watering, a true delight to give and receive
2017 Rare Cat ‘Jennifer’ Grenache Rosé California ($36): delicate, citrus, pink grapefruit, lavender, crisp and refreshing
Oenophile
2012 Frescobaldi CatelGiocondo Brunello di Montalcino DOCG ($65): all the drama of a quality Brunello, red fruit, dried flowers, spice, leather, medicinal, alluring, sultry
NV Contadi Castaldi Brut Rosé Franciacorta Italy ($25): gorgeous bubbles, pale salmon, elegant red berries and floral notes, a true show stopper
The person who has everything
NV Ridgeview Estate Bloomsbury Brut England ($54.99): crisp apple, citrus, melon, kiss of butterscotch, beautifully balanced, finesse, plus its English sparkling, how cool is that
2015 Don Melchor Cabernet Sauvignon Puente Alto Vineyard Chile ($95): possibly best vintage to date, powerful yet sophisticated, delivers on every level for a world-class Cabernet
Host/Hostess
2017 Montonale ‘Montunal’ Luguana DOC Italy ($14): hailing from the Lake Gada region, it’s a lesser-known grape (Turbiana, aka Trebbiano) with a familiar taste that’s fun to share; crisp and refreshing, great with food
2016 Donnafugata Floramundi Cerasuolo di Vittoria DOCG Sicily ($30): abundance of red fruit, flowers, spice, black pepper, depth and concentration with balance
Dinner
Spending time with friends and family is an important part of the holiday season. From hosting a formal dinner to enjoying family game night with out-of-town relatives, these wines will delight everyone.
Pizza night
2017 Les Vignes Bila-Haut Rouge Côtes du Roussillon Villages France ($15): a perineal hit, ripe dark fruit, licorice, loads of garrigue, perfect pairing with pizza
2017 Two Hands Gnarly Dudes Shiraz Barossa Valley Australia ($30): black fruit, smoke, spice, new leather, dried herbs, killer wine
Family game night
2017 Les Vignes Bila Haut Blanc Côtes du Roussillon Villages France ($15): citrus, apple, mineral-driven, salinity, a great food wine that well over-delivers
2014 Luce della Vite ‘Lucente’ Toscana IGT Italy ($28): black fruit, dried herbs and flowers, baking spice, a blend of Merlot and Sangiovese, easy to sip and enjoy
Formal holiday dinner
NV Domaine Bruno Paillard Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru Extra Brut Champagne France ($70): dry, fine mousse, delicate notes of bright citrus and orchard fruit, minerality, lively on palate
2014 Jordan Cabernet Sauvignon Alexander Valley Sonoma County California ($56): black fruit, spice, integrated oak, tobacco, dried herbs, integrated, elegant, refined
Casual holiday dinner
2015 Domaine William Fevre Chablis France ($30): fleshy white fruit, citrus, driving minerality, crisp, elegant, wildly enjoyable
2016 Trefethen Dragon’s Tooth Red Wine Napa Valley California ($60): unique blend, ripe black and red fruit, spice, black pepper, dusty cocoa, leather; robust and bold, decant in its youth
Soup’s On
2017 Tyrrell’s Wines Semillon Hunter Valley Australia ($24.99): loads of fresh tart citrus, white flowers, firm minerality, crisp, clean
2014 Alloro Vineyard Pinot Noir Willamette Valley Oregon ($35): bright red fruit, baking spice, cocoa, dried herbs; elegant, lovely
Parties
Whether hosting or attending a party, sharing wine brings holiday joy, providing guests an opportunity to taste something new. These crowd-pleasing wines are sure to elevate your next party.
Cocktail party
NV Nino Franco Prosecco Superiore Valdobbiadene Italy ($18): stone fruit, tart apple, orange blossom, a crowd pleaser
Small holiday party
2017 Domain Paul Blanck Riesling Rosenbourg Alsace France ($24): bright citrus, stone fruit, minerality, salinity, dry, mouth-watering acidity, refreshing and elegant
2016 Domaine de Reuilly Pinot Noir Reuilly Loire Valley France ($20): fresh berries, smoke, spice, elegant, balance, lovely
Work party
2016 Cline Cashmere Red Wine California ($13): lush Rhone style, layers of fruit, spice, candied violets, well over-delivers for price
2016 Veramonte Cabernet Sauvignon Colchagua Valley Chile ($11): rich black and red fruit, baking spice, black pepper, dried herbs, ground espresso beans; bold, intense, a sure crowd pleaser
