Especially during the holidays, gatherings with friends and family are as frequent as Santa sightings. Often, parties are planned, but at times, friends stop by unexpectedly for a bit of spontaneous merry-making. As you can imagine, it’s best to have a few bottles of wine ready for pouring!
Following are suggestions for affordable and delicious wines (white, red, rosé, and sparkling) to open and serve. From Spain, France, and Italy, each pairs beautifully with a range of appetizers from savory tapas to flavorful cheese and charcuterie plates to mouthwatering bruschetta or crostinis topped with a favorite dollop of goodness and more. If a meaningful element of the holidays is connecting with friends and family over great conversation, then these palate-pleasing wines are ready to help. Cheers to that!
After one sip of the Petite Sirene Bordeaux 2016 ($19.99), you and your guests will be more than ready for the next. I loved this 60% Sauvignon Blanc and 40% Semillon Blend from the Côtes de Bordeaux. Aromas of forsythia, exotic spice, honey, citrus, and just a hint of smoke were mesmerizing and my palate savored each expressive taste of rich orchard fruit and spice surrounded with lip smacking acidity, minerality, and a round mouthfeel.
A few snacks on the table and a glass of chilled
Vivanco Viura Tempranillo Blanca ($11.99) will make any visitor linger in your faux street-side tapas bar! Aromas of honey, beeswax, wet grass, lemon, yellow flowers, juicy citrus, and light herbs were intense. Comprised of indigenous grapes 50% Viura, 35% Tempranillo Blanco, and 15% Maturana Blanca, this wine from the Rioja region of Spain, boasted crisp flavors of ripe citrus, lively acidity, a touch of minerality, and snappy finish.
In a bottle inspired by the Vivanco Museum of the Culture of Wine, the
Vivanco Crianza 2013, ($14.99) is from the region of Rioja in Spain. Aged for 16 months in French and American oak, this 100% Tempranillo had an exceptional profile. Bursting from the glass were notes of ripe cherries, licorice, earth, vanilla, purple flowers and plums and on the palate. Upon tasting, I discovered bright acidity and smooth tannins that offered structure while red fruits and earth notes provided a flavorful profile from start to finish.
Whip up a few appetizers Italian-style and offer each guest a generous pour of Avignonesi Vino Nobile di Montepulciano 2012 ($28). A blend of 85% Purgnolo Gentile (a Sangiovese clone), 10% Canaiolo Nero and 5% Mammolino grapes native to the region, fresh red fruit, forest floor, and sweet spice aromas wafted from the glass. On the palate, more red fruit notes bolstered by bright acidity and soft tannins led to a lingering finish.
This rosé of 50% Grenache, 20% Cinsault, 20% Syrah, and 10% Tibouren,
Chateau du Rouet Reservée Rosé 2016 ($13) from Provence, was simply beautiful. On the nose, aromas of strawberries, pomegranate, juicy red berries, hint of almond, and spice were intense and enticing. My palate discovered broad flavors of more red fruit, spice, bright acidity, a round mouthfeel, and a lingering finish.
Côté Mas Rosé Aurore 2016 ($10.99 for 1 liter) is a charming wine of 50% Grenache, 30% Cinsault, and 20% Syrah from the Languedoc region of France. What’s not to love about this amazing value and palate profile? I found clean and fresh aromas of freshly picked peonies, a basket of juicy raspberries, and a hint of cherries. Flavors of strawberries, raspberries, and soft candied fruit were enhanced by mouthwatering acidity and a gentle expression of tannins.
Elegant and sophisticated, welcome your guests with gorgeous
Dopff & Irion Cuvée Prestige Elegance Crémant d’Alsace Brut ($25). Aromas of stone fruit, spice, and white flowers were enticing and led to lip smacking flavors of juicy citrus, lychee nuts, and spice with notes of minerality and a persistent finish. And those bubbles? They never stopped!
This “get the party started” Prosecco,
Le Vigne di Alice Fondo Valdobbiadene Prosecco DOCG 2005 ($20), is just what your guests have been waiting for. Aromas of freshly baked brioche, stone fruit, and ripe citrus led to bright and lively flavors of white fruit and brilliant acidity. Rich and broad, this was ever so tasty and bright from the first clink of the glasses to the last sigh…
Cheers! ~ Cindy
