By Adriana Krstic
My holiday table is often filled with a smorgasbord of options and a cacophony of flavors reflecting my family’s diverse cultural roots and traditions.
It could be overwhelming for an occasional wine drinker to choose a versatile bottle that will pair perfectly with a large variety of dishes. Everybody wants that one (or two) bottles that can bring balance, inspire joy, conversation, and human connection at the dining table.
Without breaking the bank, of course.
Quality and price ratio are my guidelines for holiday wine choices. I strive for culinary balance and memorable dining experience rather than impressing with a famous label.
Here are some of my favorite choices for your festive season gatherings, whether you are hosting or attending.
Bubbles — Celebratory, versatile, and famously pairing with almost everything. Fried finger foods, cheese and charcuterie board, chicken satay or Asian dumplings — check! Bubbly impresses with crisp and refreshing citrus and complexity and cleanses palates in between the bites. Stick to Brut Champagne (0 to 12 grams of sugar per liter) and steer clear of “brut nature” (a different classification) as it is too dry for people who are not used to drinking bone-dry wines. Cava from Spain or Franciacorta from Italy are a great alternative (all made in the traditional method), and frequently offer a good value.
Some favorite producers include:
Franciacorta: Barone Pizzini, Ca’ Del Bosco, Monzio Campagnoni (look for Satén on the label with creamier, silkier texture)
Cava: Segura Viudas, Roger Goulart, Codorniu
Champagne: Look for best value with non-vintage bottlings from quality producers like Henriot Brut Souverain NV, Agrapart Terroirs NV, or Philipponnat, Royale Reserve NV.
Rosés – Crowd-pleasing rosé isn’t just reserved for summer evenings. Some rosés can stand up to creamy dishes including stews, meat sauces, or rich salmon and tuna. My holiday favorites include deeply colored, robust style wines from the Abruzzo region in Italy. Cerasuolo d’Abruzzo is much darker in color with aromas of orange peel, cinnamon, dried cherry, and strawberries. This structured medium body rosé is made from Montepluciano grapes with a brief skin contact. Some of the top producers to seek out are Masciarelli, Tiberio, and Emidio Pepe.
Whites: I’d like to introduce you to a French grape called aligoté (ah-lee-go-teh). This age-worthy star grape from Burgundy offers a quality alternative to more expensive chardonnay from the same region and a delicious addition to your holiday table. Sip it alone or pair it with your turkey, poultry, or latkes. This is the grape all the cool kids are drinking now! Classic Bourgogne aligoté producers to look for are Pierre Morey, Albert Bichot, Coche Dury, or Leroy.
Reds: I prefer medium-bodied reds for the holiday table because a majority offer balanced tannins and lower alcohol content. This type of red wine is easier to pair with food and some can be enjoyed with appetizers or fish entrées such as salmon or tuna. Look for wines made with pinot noir (like sancerre rouge from the Loire), sangiovese (Chianti Classico), merlot, grenache, gamay (Beaujolais Cru), or cabernet franc.
Dessert wines: This is a frequently overlooked category, but I cannot imagine a holiday meal without a delicious glass of something sweet. Nothing ends a celebration like a bite of dark chocolate cake or buttery pecan pie with a drop of port or Banyuls. It’s pure decadence and it really takes your taste buds to another level. Hungarian Royal Tokaji or deliciously fragrant French Sauternes will be a perfect accompaniment to lighter fruity desserts.
Whether you are hosting or bringing thoughtfully selected wines as a guest, these choices are certain to delight and spark conversation at the dinner table.
Adriana Krstic is CMS certified sommelier and AweSommwine consultant.
