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 Luis Pato Bruto Vinho Espumante Rosado (Bairrada, Portugal) – $19.99
2012 Anthonij Rupert Wines L’Ormarins Blanc de Blancs (Franschoek, South Africa) – $38.99
Champagne
Now if you serve Champagne, your audience will immediately know you’re here to do some serious partaking and celebrating.
NV Champagne Pierre Paillard Brut Grand Cru (Champagne, France) – $58.99
NV Comte Audoin de Dampierre Cuvée des Ambassadeurs (Champagne, France) – $72.99
NV Egly-Ouriet Grand Cru VP Extra Brut (Champagne, France) – $159.99
NV Moet & Chandon MCIII (Champagne, France) – $629.99
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!
2017 Hess Family Amalaya Salto Torrontes Riesling (Calchaqui, Argentina) – $16.99
2015 Erbes Urzinger Wurzgarten Riesling Spatlese (Mosel-Saar-Ruwer, Germany) – $23.99
2016 Tentenublo Rioja Blanco (Rioja, Spain) – $35.99
2010 Donnhoff Norheimer Dellchen Riesling Trocken (Nahe, Germany) – $89.99
2016 Domaine de Cristia Collection Rosé (Provence, France) – $21.99
2016 Agricola Tiberio Cerasuolo d’Abruzzo (Abruzzi, Italy) – $28.99
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 Cave Saint-Verny Puy de Dome Pinot Noir (Loire Valley, France) – $19.99
2015 Jean-Marc Burgaud Beaujolais Villages Les Vignes de Thulon (Beaujolais, France) – $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
2015 Trisaetum Pinot Noir (Willamette Valley, Oregon) – $44.99
2009 Quinta do Portal Grande Reserva (Douro, Portugal) – $49.99
1989 Château de Chaintres Saumur-Champigny (Loire Valley, France) – $71.99
2013 Keenan Cabernet Sauvignon (California – Napa Valley, United States) – $74.99
2011 Stephane Vedeau Cote-Rotie J. Boutin Bonnevaux (Rhone Valley, France) – $85.99
2010 Poderi di Luigi Einaudi Barolo Cannubi (Piedmont, Italy) – $114.99
22009 Louis Jadot Clos de Vougeot Grand Cru (Burgundy – Cote de Nuits, France) – $179.99
1995 Château Clinet (Bordeaux – Pomerol, France) – $319.99
Dessert
As for dessert, remember dessert wine should be sweeter than the dessert itself.
2009 Royal Tokaji 5 Puttonyos Aszu (Hungary) – 250mL – $24.99
2014 Donnafugata Ben Ryé Passito di Pantelleria (Sicily, Italy) – 375mL -$47.99
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.
Lucano 1894 Basilicata Amaro (Sicily, Italy) – $39.99
Berta Amaro (Sicily, Italy) – $66.99
1995 Barros Colheita (Douro, Portugal) – 375mL – $24.99
2011 Porto Quevedo Late Bottled Vintage Port (Douro, Portugal) – $33.99
2012 Taylor Fladgate Quinta de Vargellas Vintage Port (Douro, Portugal) – $84.99
1965 Messias Colheita (Douro, Portugal) – $214.99
1987 Niepoort Vintage Port (Douro, Portugal) – $169.99
Finally, if you are pressed for time, try out our December Mixed Case – $227.48 or our December Club 6-Pack – $177.90 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!