23 hours Ago
FLORENCE — We have again arrived to that time of year when our friends, family and places of employment grace us with that traditional (and compulsory) holiday party. Some are quite entertaining, some unremarkable and others akin to stepping on a floor full of Legos. The Bottle Talk: Madeira plays a key role in U.
S. history Luckily, all these potential situations promise imbibements to facilitate conversation and offer recompense for our anticipated attendance. As with any invitation to someone’s abode, I feel remiss arriving empty handed.
Along with this guilt comes the unfortunate added stress of selecting the “best” wine for the host of said party. If you have a way of finding out their wine preferences beforehand, then crisis averted. Most times, however, we are selecting blindly, with only the well-advised assistance of said beverage writer.
When tasked with bottle selection, we must look at not only the type of person but also the nature of the party for which we are buying. If attending a holiday function at a friend’s or coworker’s house, I assume the mood is lighter and more festive. For this reason, I want to have the selection fall into that same category.
Nothing says fun celebrations like a bottle of sparkling. Anyone could go grab a bottle with a well-recognized label, but our selection should say something about our style and personality. Dennis Fraley I suggest M.
V. Tirriddis Blanc de Blanc R.4 ($29) .
This traditional method sparkler from Washington State drinks well above its price point, offering a mix of orchard and citrus fruit aromas with an interesting textured mouth-feel. This choice gives the appearance that you appreciate the foundations of the traditional (method) but are willing to explore new areas to find something special. The next category can sometimes be the most difficult and anxiety-inducing, when you are carrying the “plus one” label also known as “second guesting.
” Unfortunately, being the arm candy for your spouse or significant other is not enough to get you off the hook. There are unspoken expectations, one of which will be that gift bottle selection. Although a slightly more complex situation, there are a couple of bottles certain to elevate your perceived status.
Although a broad brush-stroke of a statement, I think Alsatian whites are some of the sexiest on the planet. The fluted bottle and traditional labeling make them visually recognizable and appealing while their concentration of aromatics and flavors always please the palates of those tasting. Domaine Zind-Humbrecht Pinot Gris Turckheim 2022 ($27) has a long history of quality in this region since the 1600s.
The wine is dry (not sweet) but maintains a honied element and drinks like a high-quality dry Riesling. Another good choice for these circumstances (or any for that matter) is Pinot Noir. In all honesty, this variety remains one of my favorites which translates to being extremely opiniated when it comes to these wines.
Willamette Valley, Oregon remains my favorite for domestic Pinot with their elegance, complexity and balance of fruit and earthiness. Flâneur Wines La Belle Promenade Pinot Noir 2021 ($60) checks all the boxes for what I expect from a top tier Pinot Noir. The Bottle Talk: What wines go with football season? The final situation involves heading into the lion’s den, when your boss or supervisor is hosting the holiday party at their abode.
Caution with defaulting to that overpriced brand from the top shelf because it’s what the rest of the herd would do and too expensive tells your boss he may be paying you too much. On the other hand, a low budget wine may convey the sentiment that you feel he is less worthy of a decent bottle. Even though Bordeaux is associated with being expensive, there are some great values to be found in these wines.
Château Cos d'Estournel G d'Estournel 2020 Medoc ($45) has that classic Bordeaux feel and is immediately approachable with well-integrated tannins and a silky mouth feel. When looking for “drink-now” Bordeaux, I look for satellite areas and wider classified areas, like “Medoc.” Although not always true, I find Merlot driven blends from this region are approachable earlier.
Maybe you plan to ask for that big raise or promotion so you are willing to trade up to the next price level. Other guests will show up with those large ageable but not ready to drink reds but we know that a sturdy Italian red is the way to go. Castiglion del Bosco Brunello di Montalcino 2019 ($70) becomes our easy choice.
Brunello is one of my favorite expressions of the Sangiovese grape. Floral, herbal and dark fruit all dancing together in your mouth along with those dusty coco powder textured tannins will certainly leave a lasting impression. So before randomly grabbing the first bottle with a pretty label, consider these gems for you next holiday gathering.
They offer fun, quality wines to appease those expectant hosts and may even get you that promotion. Of course, you can mix and match for your types of holiday gatherings, but I suggest buying one of each and tasting them yourself. After all, you need to make sure you do your own field research.
Wishing you and yours a Happy and safe Holiday season..
