Wines For The Holidays
Randa’s Holiday Wine Picks!
Anyone who knows me at all, knows that my favorite starter for any festive event is a glass of brut rosé Champagne. Don’t slip a Prosecco into this picture - you have to splurge for real French Champagne. Veuve Clicquot ranks way up there in my book. No matter how you are feeling just before you have a sip of this, you are guaranteed to feel 100 times better after.
Randa’s white wine pick for Christmas dinner. Frances’s Domaine Huet Le Haut-Lieu Sec (means dry) Vouvray. This is Chenin Blanc at its finest and the high acid will balance the richness of your bird or beef.
Randa’s value red for a holiday meal. Beaujolais equates to an ideal light red wine for turkey and all the trimmings. The grape is Gamay and made by Dupeuble - a Kermit Lynch favorite of mine.
Randa’s light and easy red wine splurge for Xmas. Flowers Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast California is so delicious you better get several bottles. This is a perfect fit for salmon and other light fish, as well as lamb and lighter cuts of meat or pork.
Randa’s luxury red wine splurge for the holidays. Far Niente Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon. You will never regret spending $130 on this bottle of wine. It is so rich and dense and lush and will put all your guests over the moon (and possibly under the table) but in the best way possible! Beef tenderloin or prime rib will sing a tribute of joy being served next to this heavenly delight.
Randa’s December deal on Napa Cabernet. Band of Vintners has been getting rave reviews for a modestly priced Cab at $25. The only problem is this juice goes down so fast you’ll need to stop at the liquor store for many restocks on this one.
After Dinner Drinks
Back on the shelves of Parkhills is Nierpoort dry white port. Here’s an unusual addition to the holiday theme — drink chilled on its own or over a few ice cubes. It carries a little more kick than a glass of still wine. Just in the ‘Nick’ of time!
With the multitude, and I repeat multitude of holiday desserts we are going to be surrounded with, especially pecan or chocolate pie, a lovely glass of 10 or 20-year-old Tawny port by the fire is the perfect nightcap.
Holiday Bar Add-Ons
The best maraschino cherries to top off those mistletoe manhattans.
Dirty Sue Olive juice to spice up those well needed martinis for holiday de-stressing. FYI, Santa has come to expect a good martini on Christmas Eve.
