Author: Dirk Chan
Wow…Christmas is almost upon us, so here is our annual picks to accompany the classic turkey and/or ham dinner with all its fixings. Start your evening off with a sparkling wine,followed by whites, reds, a dessert wine and perhaps this year add a little meditation course for Amaro or Port.
Sparkling Wines
Sparkling wines are a great way to start any function whether its a greeting aperitif or to pair with appetizers. Lively and clean, these will get everyone ready for what’s to come next.
2013 Domaine Rosier Cuvee du Rosier (Languedoc-Roussillon, France) – $19.99
NV Cantina Colli del Soligo Prosecco (Veneto, Italy) – $22.99
NV Francois Lichtle Méthode Traditionelle Brut (Alsace, France) – $26.99
Champagne
Now if you serve Champagne, your audience will immediately know you’re here to do some serious partaking and celebrating.
NV A. Margaine Rose Premier Cru (Champagne, France) – $59.99
NV Taittinger Reserve Brut (Champagne, France) – $65.99
NV Egly-Ouriet Grand Cru VP Extra Brut (Champagne, France) – $159.99
2006 Louis Roederer Cristal Brut (Champagne, France) – $349.99
Whites & Pinks
Whites with a touch of sweetness is preferred because of the sweetness of some of the fixings – candied yams, cranberry sauce, and honey for the glazed ham. A completely dry white will seem more austere and void of fruit due to the sweetness of the food so I recommend Rieslings (dry or off-dry, both work), Gewurztraminers or other Germanic or Alsace varietals. Having said that, some will always go with a dry creamy Chardonnay or Chenon irregardless and that’s perfectly fine. Also, don’t forget that rosés work really well too!
2012 Joh. Haart Piesporter Goldtropfchen Riesling Spatlese (Mosel-Saar-Ruwer, Germany) – $18.99
2015 Bellingham Bernard Old Vine Chenin Blanc (Coastal Region, South Africa) – $24.99
2014 Domaine Serge Dagueneau & Filles Les Montees Chardonnay (Loire Valley, France) – $27.99
2011 Wine & Soul Guru (Douro, Portugal) – $64.99
2011 Ridge Monte Bello Chardonnay (California – Sonoma, United States) – $104.99
2015 Domaine Houchart Rosé (Provence, France) – $20.99
2014 Kranz Spatburgunder Rosé Trocken (Rheinfalz, Germany) – $22.99
Reds
For reds, try to avoid the big oaky tannic monsters. Oak and tannins are the enemies when pairing with slightly sweet food, try for a red with lots of up-front fruit, little oak and a soft tannins like a Beaujolais (served slightly chilled) or a Pinot Noir.
2014 Spinning Top Pinot Noir (Marlborough, New Zealand) – $21.99
2010 Julius Klein Rotwein Trocken St. Laurent (Austria) – $23.99
2014 Dominique Piron Chiroubles (Beaujolais, France) – $25.99
2014 Jean-Marc Burgaud Morgon Côte du Py (Beaujolais, France) – $28.99
2012 Domaine Pavelot Savigny les Beaune (Burgundy, France) – $39.99
2014 Trisaetum Pinot Noir (Willamette Valley, Oregon) – $44.99
2011 Best’s Great Western Pinot Meunier (Victoria, Australia) – $52.99
2014 Bodegas Colome Autentico Malbec (Calchaqui, Argentina) – $55.99
2013 Envy Wines Calistoga Estate (California – Napa Valley, United States) – $69.99
2012 J.L. Chave Saint-Joseph (Rhone Valley, France) – $94.99
2009 Vietti Barbaresco Masseria (Piedmont, Italy) – $119.99
2010 Ghislain Kohut Echezeaux Grand Cru (Burgundy – Cote de Nuits, France) – $149.99
2009 Château Belair-Monange (Bordeaux – St. Emilion, France) – $269.99
Dessert
As for dessert, remember dessert wine should be sweeter than the dessert itself.
2015 Elderton Botrytis Semillon (Barossa Valley, Australia) – $22.99
2013 Chateau Prince Coteaux de l’Aubance (Penedes, Spain) – $32.99
2009 Zind-Humbrecht Clos Jebsal Vendange Tardive Pinot Gris – 375mL (Alsace, France) – $59.99
2004 Chateau d’Yquem – 375mL (Sauterne, France) – $319.99
Port & Amaro (Post Dinner)
Port is always good for the final touches of a meal, but the digestif Amaro from Italy is on fire.
Amaro Ramazzotti (Italy) – $27.99
Varnelli Amaro Sibilla (Italy) – $49.99
1967 Dalva Colheita Port (Douro, Portugal) – $249.99
2008 Fonseca Quinta do Panascal Vintage Port (Douro, Portugal) – $71.99
Messias 20 Year Old Tawny Port (Douro, Portugal) – $74.99
1983 Graham’s Vintage Port – $169.99
Finally, if you are pressed for time, try out our December Mixed Case – $231.13 where a lot of the wines would pair well with Christmas dinner.
Note our extended hours of operations leading up to Christmas and New Years.
Top of the Season to everyone!