The wines that you share with family and friends during Christmas must be the most special ones. Particularly, I like to hand pick those that I have enjoyed the most during the year. Wines that have a good story behind them and we can cherish all together this special night.
Welcome them with bubbles
Surprise your family and friends with an aperitif. Sparkling wines are great aperitifs. Pol Roger Champagne is my selection this year. Pol Roger is a blend of three champenois grape varieties: Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier and Chardonnay.
Besides Pol Roger Champagne I will recommend you my favorite sparkling wines, Pere Ventura Cava Tresor and Ferrari Trento. During the year I have been telling you a lot about Pere Ventura Cava Tresor. Give Cava a second chance and surprise everyone with this Tresor Rose as you greet them. Read the full wine review of this Cava here. Another good option for aperitif will be Ferrari Trento from TrentoDOC surprisingly the best italian sparkling wine that I have tried this year and is not Prosecco.
Let’s dig in!
We have different dietary restrictions in my family so instead of sharing the traditional turkey, we grill seafood and oven bake lamb with potatoes. We will pair the seafood with one of the Finger Lakes Riesling discovery of this year. Hermann J Weiner Riesling 2016 is my favorite Riesling from Finger Lakes, and I have to say my favorite Dry Riesling overall. Hermann J. Weiner Riesling 2016 has aromas of spring blossoms and on the palate reveals Riesling grape in a distinctive balanced way between white stone fruit forward notes and acidity.
The meatlovers, will certainly enjoy Estate Hatzimichalis Red Blend and Bolgheri DOC Il Bruciato Tenuta Guado al Tasso 2016 . We have a big family and everyone enjoy the reds over here. Another red wine that I will recommend to you will be Brunello di Montalcino DOC Piccolomini d’Aragonesa 2013. If you’re looking for an affordable red and great quality my recommendation will be the Santa Cristina Rosso 2016. Read the complete review of Santa Cristina Rosso 2016 here.
We will keep enjoying a selection of cheeses with Lakewood Vineyards Lemberger 2016 while we open up the gifts. Lemberger was a grape discovery this year for us. The aromas of blackberry and notes of black pepper with dry finish that pairs perfectly with Feta, Monterey Jack, Gouda (smoked, aged, or straight up), pepper Jack and provolone among other smoked cheeses.
I will also recommend you the Faustino 1 Gran Reserva Rioja 2005 because we always leave the best for the last, not the other way around.
Let’s no forget the sweets
We go big on dessert. We will have tiramisu, cookies and cake. We don’t indulge in dessert wines but if you’re looking for something to pair with sweets I will recommend you a Vinsanto this iconic wine from Santorini will delight us with its sweet notes remembering our amazing trip to Santorini. That is a wrap.
Merry Christmas!!
