The holiday season is upon us and what better way to spend the chilly nights than by the fire with a glass of delicious wine? This time of year, wine drinkers tend to gravitate toward some of the more full-bodied reds, as opposed to the chilled whites enjoyed in the hot summer months. However, this is really the season in which there is something for everybody, and the best time to explore new wines.
We tend to think of the rules for pairing wines as limited to white wines with white meat, and red wines with red meat. However, with the variability of side dishes, seasonings and spices, we must think of wines this season as an opportunity to experiment with pairings and venture beyond our comfort zone. Find what you like and forget the rules. This is the time of year to enjoy all the wondrous wines available to us locally, so here are a few local holiday wine tips.
We can’t talk about the holiday season without talking about sparkling wines or champagnes. These wines can be great during cocktail hour or while guests enjoy hors d’oeuvres before dinner. Fortino Winery in Gilroy has a wonderful semi-sweet sparkling wine (called extra dry) that is well-suited to a holiday feast with glazed ham. Gugliemo Winery in Morgan Hill has a delicious brut (dry) style sparkling wine, Emile’s Cuvee, which is a great before-dinner drink. This would also be a wonderful wine to pop open at midnight to celebrate the ringing in of the New Year.
Oak Chardonnay drinkers can find a nice dry Viognier refreshing and aromatic, without a drastic change from what they are used to. One I find satisfying is from DeRose Vineyard in Hollister. With a lovely aromatic nose, a great level of complexity and a nice finish, this is a great bottle to bring to your next holiday party. Sarah’s Vineyard in Gilroy has a wonderful white Rhone blend called Cote de Madone Blanc. It showcases notes of peach and citrus aromas, flavors of ripe apple, limeade and a faint vanilla note with a wonderful finish. It pairs well with a turkey dish and is a great way to introduce your friends to a different type of white wine than what they might be used to.
Red wine drinkers can find a fabulous pairing for this season’s meals in another one of Sarah’s Vineyards wines; the Estate Pinot Noir. A luscious wine with notes of cherry and cranberry, this is a fabulous wine for a holiday dinner with cranberry sauce or sweet potatoes. Other reds that are great for exploring this season are Malbecs. Though most are familiar with examples from Argentina, we have some delicious Malbec wines available locally. Sycamore Creek in Morgan Hill has an award-winning Estate Malbec, which has notes of red cherry, maple, cinnamon, spice and a long smooth finish. Martin Ranch also has a wonderful Malbec from the Santa Cruz mountains, with notes of boysenberry, blackberry and violet. Both of these wines would be great to share with the Cabernet Sauvignon lovers in your life and to enjoy with prime rib at your holiday celebration.
Finally, we finish up with dessert. The best dessert wine pairings offer a wine sweeter than the dessert being served. Fortified or port-style wines are my go-to choices from local wineries. Solis Winery in Gilroy has my favorite local port—and for good reason. With flavors of sweet boysenberry, brown sugar and chocolate; how could this wine not be made for the holidays? Cigar lovers will find this to be a great pairing for them as well. The style is reminiscent of a ruby port and is a great after-dinner wine. Creekview Vineyards in San Martin also has a delicious port, in more of a tawny style. This wine shows notes of brandy spirits, dried stone fruits and exotic spices. This pairs well with a rum cake after dinner but is also great on its own.
No matter what you celebrate, there is a wine for the occasion and the feast. Whether you fancy white, red or something in between, ’tis the season of celebration, so celebrate with wines you love. Happy Holidays and cheers to the New Year!
