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Eight Great Holiday Wines
Subtitle: Top picks for reds, whites, and bubbly to celebrate the season By: Suzanne
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Punkt Genau Sparkling Grüner VeltlinerAddress: Weinviertel Austria Neighborhood: |
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Web Site: www.alpenz.com |
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The holiday season seems practically created for drinking Champagne, but it’s always fun to try something with a different kind of sparkle. Carri Wroblewski, co-owner of Brix Wine Shop, a boutique in Boston, and one of my Insiders, tipped us off to Punkt Genau. Translation? "On the dot," and true to its name, it hits the mark. This attention-grabbing Grüner is what Carri calls "delicately effervescent." Made exclusively from grapes grown in the heart of Austria, it hits the nose with a big rush of freshly peeled apples then hints at exotic tropical fruits in the finish. It’s a great way to intrigue your guests this holiday season. But one warning: it’s so easy to drink, you may find yourself craving it on any old weekday next spring.
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Domaines Schlumberger Pinot BlancAddress: Alsace France Neighborhood: |
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Web Site: www.domaines-schlumberger.com |
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Connoisseurs tell me that the Alsatian wines have something of a romantic pull and it’s easy to fall in love with the Domaines Schlumberger Pinot Blanc Les Princes Abbés. "The 2005 vintage is exemplary due to its high-quality composition, fine balance, and dry, fresh taste," says Carri. Domaines Schlumberger, near the German border, may be the biggest producer of Grand Crus in Alsace, but everything about this vintage’s nuances, ample structure, and expressive nose suggests a boutique sensibility. Distinctive as this Pinot Blanc is, it pairs well with all the holiday dishes you’d typically match with a white, such as pates, salads, and white meats.
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Delas Freres Côtes du RhôneAddress: Côtes du Rhône France Neighborhood: |
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Web Site: www.mmdusa.net |
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Syrah, Grenache, and Mourvedre harmonize gorgeously in Delas Freres the Côtes du Rhône Saint Esprit. All the grapes come from a small village in France’s Ardech region. "A full-bodied wine with fine tannins, it shows the strength and pepper notes typical of the Syrah grape," says Carri. "You’ll find the color in the glass deep garnet red, with intense red berry aromas," making it a perfect complement to the bold colors and fragrances of the holiday season.
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Querciabella MongranaAddress: Florence/Tuscany, Italy Neighborhood: |
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Web Site: www.querciabella.com |
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Looking for something a bit bolder? Carri recommends the 2006 Querciabella Mongrana. Given that she takes a keen interest in small vineyards when making selections for Brix, we weren’t surprised to learn that Querciabella — in Tuscany’s Maremma region — is an 86-acre estate. As she describes it, Querciabella "enjoys an ideal setting close to the sea, but with the protection of the Uccellina Natural Park highlands." The Querciabella is a robust blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Sangiovese. "It’s a bit rustic at first, with notes of cherry, plum, and licorice. Drying tannins give it gusto and make it a fabulous cold weather red."
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Winderlea Goldschmidt Vineyard Pinot NoirAddress: Oregon Neighborhood: |
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Web Site: www.winderlea.com |
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When it comes to getting my daily helping of fruit during the holidays, I’m not particularly inclined to reach for the fruitcake. I’d opt for Winderlea Goldschmidt Vineyard Pinot Noir. Grapes for this new American classic are sourced from the renowned Goldschmidt vineyard, one of the most highly regarded wine-growing plots in Oregon. "It has a nose of violets, cherries, and a hint of cranberry. On the palate, the wine accentuates femininity with balanced fruit, acid, and silky finish," says Carri.
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McPrice Myers Beautiful EarthAddress: Neighborhood: |
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Web Site: www.mcpricemyers.com |
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There’s something so comforting in Rhone varietals, and after the glitz and glamour of the holiday festivities have faded a bit, there’s nothing better than cuddling up to a glass of liquid comfort. Fred Price of Noble House Wines in New York City recommends McPrice Myers’s Beautiful Earth, produced by some of the industry’s most notable young turks in Santa Barbara using Rhone varietals, like Grenache, Syrah and Mourvedre. "It’s a beautiful blend, fruity and full-bodied," said Fred. "It works great with lamb for holiday dinners."
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California Bogle Petite SirahAddress: California Neighborhood: |
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Web Site: www.boglewinery.com |
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When it comes to Petite Sirah, California has been attracting plenty of attention lately. But if there’s been one stalwart that set the standard, it’s the long-time family-run Bogle Vineyard in the Delta Region. Jay Althoff, an avid wine enthusiast says this is one of his never-fail favorites. "Every year, it never fails. I love it all winter long with steak, pork, chicken, bread, cheese, air, dirt….you get the point." What’s even more head-turning than the wine itself is the price. At around $12 a bottle, there’s no reason not to pair it with absolutely everything.
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Flowers Pinot NoirAddress: Napa Valley/Sonoma,, California Neighborhood: |
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Web Site: www.flowerswinery.com |
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Despite all the hype swirling around Pinot Noir, there’s still a good deal to be discovered about this variety. My insider Eric Cohen, a partner in Waugh Cellars and Six Degrees, told me about Flowers Winery, a small vineyard on the Sonoma coast that produces Pinots that are sure to stun, not to mention liven up any holiday get-together."They’re very fruit-forward, not austere or mysterious, a great example of the varietal," he says. He also tells us that Flowers is on the forefront of one of the latest wine-making trends: producing bottles with a lower alcohol content. "It’s warm and toasty and I find it pairs well with food, but it can really stand on its own and doesn’t need the big flavor of food," Eric says. "You can drink it sitting at the dinner table or hanging out around the fireplace. It serves both purposes."
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Tags: Wine, red, white, sparkling, holidays, gift, drink, drinking, pairing, vintage, Cotes du Rhone, Pinot Noir, Pinot Blanc, Syrah
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File Properties: Content Grade: Standard Review Type: Positive Seasonal: False S-File Type: Standard Vertical: File Geography: |
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Page Title: Holiday Wines: Best Vintages To Pair With The Season | Spire Keywords: Suzanne’s Files, Suzannes Files, Spire.com, vineyard, wine, holiday, Christmas, white, red, sparkling, bubbly, glass, pairing, Gruner Veltliner, Côtes du Rhône, Pinot Noir, Pinot Blanc Description: There are few better ways to make the holiday season more festive and memorable than finding the perfect vintage to welcome guests or pair with your lovingly prepared meal. But with so many regions and so many wine styles to choose from, a little guidance goes a long way. We turned to a few of wine experts in our International Collective for their tips on best vintages to pair with your holiday feast. |
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Alt Text: There are few better ways to make the holiday season more festive and memorable than finding the perfect vintage to welcome guests or pair with your lovingly prepared meal. But with so many regions and so many wine styles to choose from, a little guidance goes a long way. We turned to a few of wine experts in our International Collective for their tips on best vintages to pair with your holiday feast. |
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