A Wine List To Ensure All Your Holiday Meals Are Extra Special

 By: The Food Hunter

‘Tis the season to be jolly, and there’s no better way to get into the holiday spirit then with a delicious meal perfectly paired with a bottle of wine! To help discover the best reds, whites and bubbly to pair with a lavish dinner or casual get together, I tapped into a few wine experts to get their picks for the best holiday sips.

Read on to find out which wines will take you through the holidays in style!!

Here at Food Hunter's Guide we receive product or compensation for posts featuring products. As always, all opinions are 100% our own.   

Corte Giacobbe Soave DOC 2022,   ($19)

The grapes for this wine are 100% Garganega as tradition dictates from the vineyards surrounding the original Corte Giacobbe estate in the hilly area of Roncà, the eastern side of the Soave appellation. 

On the nose, there are notes of plum, citron, tropical fruit and apricot, flanked by smooth chalk and wild herbs. Appealing and well-balanced on the palate, with a crisp finish hinting of bitterish almond. Ideal as an aperitif and a perfect match with porchetta, or a stunning sea bass.

Attems Cicinis, ($30)

A true gem from the heart of Friuli Venezia Giulia, embodies the essence of Italian wine-making excellence. Crafted with passion and precision, this wine is a splendid choice to accompany the flavors of a Christmas feast including succulent roast turkey, a flavorful baked pasta with ham, and a variety of festive dishes.

 

 

Destro Sciarake (Nerello Mascalese), ($30)

A Sicilian red made from Nerello Mascalese grapes. It boasts powerful aromas of strawberry, wild cherry, anise, nutmeg and white pepper. Pairs wonderfully with fresh salami and hard Italian cheese.

Marcarini Moscato d'Asti DOCG 2022,  ($22.99)

An extraordinary dessert wine whose delicate sparkle and lively grape flavors. This pure Moscato Bianco is intensely aromatic, with fruity and floral notes. The quintessential dessert wine, easy to pair with freshly baked desserts, and for an Italian holiday classic such as panettone or pandoro. 

Elegia Primitivo di Manduria, ($28)

With an elegant nose, it displays a strong fruity component of wild blackberries, prunes, and blueberries. It also has hints of nutmeg, vanilla and cloves. The taste is very persistent with a bright acidity and strong tannins.  

Wiens Vermentino, ($32)

This wine was awarded Best of Class in the San Francisco Chronicle and Los Angeles International Wine Competitions, and double gold in the Orange County Wine Competition. It has a rather nice balance of crisp, refreshing acidity, and light fruit aromas. The wine pairs well with clams oreganata or clam toast.

Bollina Zenas, ($22)

An Italian from Puglia this  wine makes the perfect partner for tomato-based dishes like lasagna, eggplant timpano, or chicken cacciatore.

 Flaneur La Belle Promenade Pinot Meunier, ($40)

This wine will surely be a conversation starter at the holiday table. The fruitiness and juicy acidity lend to a variety of food pairings including savory sides such as broccoli rabe stuffing. An excellent choice for the season and beyond. 

Avensole Trio - Retaggio, Aventura, Sauvignon Blanc, ($38-$68)

A delightful trio of wines to showcase this holiday season. Starting with the Retaggio at $68 this incredible blend of Zinfandel + Cabernet will immediately impress your guests. The Aventura, also a blend, mixes Tempranillo + Zinfandel is a lush and jammy winery favorite. Last but not least the 100% Sauvignon Blanc is a refreshing tropical twist to add to your holiday collection. 

Talosa Rosso di Montepulciano, ($20)

A juicy medium-bodied Rosso shows intriguing aromas of blueberries and strawberries. The palate has a perfect balance. Elegant tannins with a supple fruity finish. This wine is fresh, fun, and a pleasure to drink and share.

2021 Erath Oregon Pinot Noir, ($20)

The 2021 Erath Oregon Pinot Noir offers decadent aromas of boysenberry and dark cherry with layers of jasmine and fresh herbs. It's a good wine for pairing, as it goes with a wide range of traditional holiday foods and fixings.

History Columbia Valley Red Blend 2020, ($45)

Rich notes of cassis, fig and clay greet your nose, while a sip reveals green peppercorn and brandied cherries. This new world take on a classic Bordeaux blend calls for a tenderloin or rich pasta bolognese.

 

 

Et Fille Gamay Noir, ($34)

From the winemaker: "I can foresee this becoming my new easy drinking house red. “Take me to a barbeque- I want grilled meat!” it says, but it is also lovely on its own." Try it with this indulgent rib-eye steak and egg combo.

 

 

Yamhill Valley 2015 Riesling, ($24)

A sweet almost dessert style Riesling, that is a beautiful complement to savory menu items such as ham, 

pork or chicken. 

2019 Elea San Salvatore, ($23)

This is a delicious Greco made from organic grapes. It is a very expressive wine of the Mediterranean, bringing to mind the scent of olive trees, honey and dried apricot. It has a sumptuous body structure and tastes great with porchetta and vegetables.

 Ricossa Barbera Appassimento, ($27)

An Italian Barbera from the Piedmont region of Italy. This wine has a delightful bouquet of blackberry jam, vanilla, fig, and almonds. On the palate, it is full-bodied, fresh, and elegant with a unique softness. It

complements beautifully with aged cheeses, particularly the Aged Asiago PDO from Monti Trentini crafted at Caseificio Finco Gianfranco in the Veneto region of North Italy.

Bortoluzzi Sauvignon Blanc IGT Venezia Giulia, ($22)
Grown in the perfectly manicured vineyards of Gradisca d’Isonzo in the Collio DOC area alongside the Isonzo river and, in gravelly soil, rich in minerals caressed by marine breezes and cooler Bora winds. A classic Sauvignon featuring a nose of peach and bell pepper. Pairs well with traditional Italian risotto and asparagus. It is also excellent with spicy foods.

 

 

Doffo Trio - Syrah, Zinfandel, Cabernet,  ($79)

The Syrah delivers dark fruit and soft tannins it is elegant that builds up to an intense finish.The Zinfandel is a delight to the senses with aromas of plum, raspberry, figs, and cherries. The Cabernet is full-bodied and sophisticated on the palate, with a lingering and satisfying finish. The trio will compliment savory meat dishes such as beef and duck.