Wine for the Holidays

By Andy Hale, CSW

An important part of each holiday gathering (or maybe the most important part, depending on who has been invited) is the wine you will be serving. Here are my suggestions for the right bottle of wine to spice up a meal, invigorate a party, and ensure your holiday celebrations are a hit. 

Thanksgiving

There isn’t a meal that I get asked what to serve with more than Thanksgiving, it is basically the Super Bowl of food and wine pairing. This is also a situation where there are many right answers. Red? White? Bubbly? Yes!

For the white, I like a richer one with good acidity. Try a French White Burgundy here. They can certainly get expensive, and they are worth it, but you should be able to find one for around $20, or so. Try Vérizet from the little village of Viré-Clessé- bright, green apple flavor with a touch of chalky minerality, running about $20.

For the red, look for a wine that is light bodied with crisp, vibrant acidity. Pinot Noir and Gamay from Beaujolais are perfect, but if you want something a little different, try a red from the tiny region of Jura, east of the Burgundy region. This is a region that doesn’t really export their wine and mostly makes whites. Their hard-to-find reds tend to be delicate, lighter than a Pinot Noir with flavors of cranberry, raspberry and a mushroomy, earthy finish that almost reminds me of wet soil. Seek out the Domaine Rolet red blend around $30.

The Holidays

For your holiday gathering, you’ll likely want a red and a white. I’d suggest a spicy white and a robust red wine that is easy to drink. 

For the white, I’d suggest a richer, rounder, spicy wine. Something that reminds you of apple cider. Go for a white from the Rhone Valley. I’d suggest the Dentelle Blanc from Domaine Rouge Bleu, a blend of 13 different grapes! Think apple and dried wildflowers with a hint of beeswax. It’s a great little Biodynamic wine for around $15.

For the red, go for lots of fruit and spice and less tannin. This is a great time for a classic California red blend, or a French Côtes du Rhône. 

I’d suggest the J. Dusi ‘Model M’ red blend. It is equal parts Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Petit Sirah, and Zinfandel from the famous Dusi vineyard in Paso Robles, California. It is rich and full bodied, but soft and spicy- perfect for serving with full flavored meals or just sipping by the fire. It is also a stunning deal at $15!

For those winter nights, consider having some Port on hand as well. This dessert wine is perfect for an after dinner drink with family, or while wrapping presents. It also boasts an impressive 20% alcohol which will warm you up on those cold nights. I’d go for Quinta Noval’s 2014 Late Bottled Vintage. It’s around $30, but worth it!

New Year’s Eve

Obviously, New Year’s Eve is synonymous with sparkling wine, but there are more options than just Champagne to choose from.

Prosecco is from the Veneto in Italy, and is light, refreshing, fruity and often slightly sweet. You should be able to find a good quality Prosecco for under $20. My favorite is the Biodynamic, tiny production, Alla Costiera (around $20). 

For a classy alternative to Prosecco, try Franciacorta. They are rare, and even many wine experts don’t know about them. Franciacorta comes from Lombardy in Northern Italy, and is made in a very similar fashion to true Champagne. They usually have a little more fruit than true Champagne though, as it’s warmer in Lombardy than Champagne. The yeasty, nutty flavors will add a very nice complexity that Prosecco can’t touch. They usually run in the $40-$60 range though. If you can find it, try Barone Pizzini’s Animante (around $40).

Cava is Spain’s answer to Champagne. It is made out of their own native varietals, but uses the painstaking Champagne Method to carbonate their wines. They are also aged on the Lees, the spent yeast that collects in the bottle, which gives them a creamy, nutty flavor. These are typically inexpensive and very good quality. My favorite is Juve Y Camps Cava which should be under $20.

Finally, Champagne is synonymous with celebration for a reason. The cool climate of the Champagne region prevents the grapes from over-ripening, giving the finished wine a crisp, tart flavor, and the limestone rich soil contributes the famous minerality. It’s this very special climate that gives true Champagne its power and elegance. But that elegance and power comes with a price, Champagne is not cheap. They start in the $40’s and go all the way up. For a good Champagne at a good price, try Andre Clouet Silver (around $50). 

Andy Hale is a Certified Specialist of Wine and was a professional Sommelier in Charleston until he moved to Asheville. He is now the Education Director at Metro Wines.