By David Setley
We are firmly in the midst of the holiday season. Thanksgiving and Hanukkah are recent memories with Christmas, Kwanzaa and New Year’s just around the corner. Many of us welcome family and friends into our homes to celebrate this most wonderful time of year. It should come as no surprise that I like to think about what wines will best complement my holiday gatherings. For your consideration, here are some suggestions for celebration wines.
I begin most wine events with a “welcome wine” as a delicious way to say hello and create a welcoming environment. At home, a welcome wine is a great aperitif to create a relaxed and inviting atmosphere. There are a few basic rules to selecting a welcome wine. First, less is more. The goal is to stimulate, not spoil, your guest’s appetite. Second, stick with lighter-bodied wines. Third, serve a welcome wine that complements your appetizers or your first course.
Options for welcome wines are only limited by your imagination. Sparkling wines are certainly popular at holiday celebrations; why wait until New Year’s Eve to pop the cork? Any light, crisp champagne, prosecco, or cava in either traditional white or rosé do very well. Sparkling wines come in a wide variety of dryness and price levels to fit almost anyone’s tastes and budget. Among my personal favorites are the very reasonably priced Café de Paris from France, Brilla Prosecco from Italy, and Naveran Cava from Spain. For something a bit sweeter, a Moscato d’Asti, like Bartenura or Brilla Moscato, is often a crowd-pleaser.
If you prefer a still wine, I would reach for the Pierre Sparr Riesling, from Alsace, France, for a crisp, dry white. For something different, try the Stamnaki Assyrtiko from Greece. This unique wine has the body of a Chardonnay (without the oak or butter notes) and the lightness of Sauvignon Blanc (but with more minerality). If you haven’t tried Greek wines, make this your first attempt. I think you will enjoy it. For a rosé, the Beach by Whispering Angel from Provence, France continues to be a hit. For a red wine, try an Aglianico like the Rocca Del Dragone from Campania, Italy. It is medium-bodied yet amazingly smooth and elegant. All are reasonably priced and would set a festive mood for any holiday get-together.
Italian American families, including mine, like to celebrate Christmas Eve with the Feast of the Seven Fishes. Shellfish, such as shrimp, crab, clams, mussels, oysters, and scallops, and fish such as salmon, Branzino, or Baccala, are frequently on the menu. Cioppino, a delicious seafood stew, often makes an appearance for the feast. A nice Pinot Grigio, such as Sant’ Elena, works very well, but why not try something new? The Pehhcora Pecorino from Abruzzo, Italy is an Italian white wine that offers a nice roundness and minerality that pairs beautifully with seafood.
Kwanzaa, the African American celebration of heritage and culture, may be celebrated with foods such as sweet potato pie, collard greens, sausage gumbo and cornbread. There are many wine pairings for these foods! For a white wine, consider a Sauvignon Blanc, such as the Infamous Goose from Marlborough, New Zealand. A light-bodied red, such as the A to Z Wineworks Pinot Noir, or the French Alphonse Mellot Pinot Noir would be perfect as well. A heartier rosé, such as the Vera Rose from Portugal would also complement a Kwanzaa meal.
If you are already thinking ahead to New Year’s Eve, there are several options for your midnight toast. Although any sparkling wine can be used, if there is one time per year to splurge a bit on true Champagne from France, this is it. Try Charles de Cazanove – Champagne Brut Tête de Cuvée or Nicolas Feuillatte – Blue Label Brut Champagne. Good Champagne doesn’t have to break the bank; the above are under $50. Next week, I’ll be delving more fully into sparkling wine options. Stay tuned!
As you welcome guests into your home this season, hopefully some of these wines help make your celebrations merry and bright. As always, I appreciate your thoughts, questions, or comments. Contact me at dsetley@passionvines.com. Happy holidays, and happy wining!
David Setley is enjoying his retirement from higher education as a wine educator and certified sommelier at Passion Vines in Somers Point, New Jersey.
