Your Holiday Wine Hosting Guide
‘Tis the season for hosting, and whether a small gathering of close family and friends or a big holiday bash this guide will help you choose wines that all of your guests are sure to love. Read on for five crowd pleasing wines that will make you the life of the holiday party!
To get the party started: Belden Barns' Sparkling Blanc de Noirs!
Bubbles are ALWAYS a good idea! They bring good vibes and are the perfect way to kick off any event. My current favorite sparkling is Belden Barns' Blanc de Noirs ($40) from Sonoma Mountain! These bubbles are crisp and refreshing with notes of citrus, pear, and dark cherry, and they pair nicely with hard cheeses, fish, and lobster. My Wine Club members are a step ahead on this one - this bottle came in this month's Club release!
A white that both Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay lovers will agree on: Dobbes Estate Viognier!
Viognier's acidity and citrus flavors appeal to lovers of Sauvignon Blanc, and it's fuller body appeals to fans of Chardonnay - it's the best of both worlds! Dobbes Family Estate's Viognier ($28) hits all of the marks: it has vibrant tropical and citrus fruit flavors with a slight hint of vanilla, delicious acidity, and just enough weight on the palate - it became a favorite upon first sip! Pair this one with shrimp tacos, green salad, or spring rolls. And have an eye out for some other wines by Dobbes Family Estate in the January Wine Club release!
A funky wine to pique the group's interest: Orange Wine by Pullus!
I want to start by debunking a myth I'm asked about a lot when it comes to orange wine: it's not made from oranges, it's actually made from white grapes! The wine gets its pretty orange hue and fuller body from an extended period of contact between the grape skins and the grape juice. This one by Pullus Winery ($14) was the first orange wine I ever tried and all these years later it's still my favorite! It's produced in Slovenia from the Pinot Grigio grape and is fresh and fruit forward with floral aromas and ripe pear, green melon, and nectarine flavors. This bottle pairs well with both light appetizers like strong cheeses and olives, and heavier main dishes like squash or roasted meats and vegetables.
An easy drinking bottle that won't break the bank: Silk and Spice Red Blend
If you're stocking up for a big group, this is the bottle for you! It's a wine that's guaranteed to be a fan favorite while staying within your holiday budget. It's rich, smooth, and packed with blackberry and ripe plum flavors alongside vanilla, mocha, and a hint of black pepper, and it comes in at only $12! This Portuguese red blend will be a really nice complement to rich cheeses and smoked meats.
A splurge bottle to impress: Aperture Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon
This is a great bottle to give as a gift this holiday season, or to serve to your wine-loving guests as it's sure to be a big hit! The grapes for Aperture Cellars' Cabernet ($70) come from volcanic soils on the hills of the Alexander Valley (just north of Sonoma) making the wine fresh and oh so lush. It starts with dark blueberry and boysenberry flavors and a touch of red fruit, followed by layers of chocolate, earthiness, and a little bit of spice. It's one of those wines I still think about months after trying it! This one will also pair really nicely with roasted meats and vegetables.
Comment below and let me know what you think of each wine, and tag me in your photos drinking wines from my list of top picks – I love to see it!
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Cheers!