Wine Enthusiast Executive Editor Susan Kostrzewa and Food Editor Nils Bernstein sat down for a Facebook Live segment to share popular holiday dishes and their perfect wine pairings. If you missed it, don’t fret. Here’s your handy guide to planning a scrumptious holiday soirée this season, from start to dessert.
A wine for when guests arrive
Bodegas Eidosela 2015 Ethereo Albariño (Rías Baixas); $15, 90 points. Lime and grapefruit aromas are a touch pithy and feline but don’t go overboard. Citrusy and minerally on the palate, this tastes of lime, green melon and green banana. A pure, tangy finish holds firm. Best Buy. —Michael Schachner
The Dishes
- Simple seafood appetizers, such as oysters, crab toast and seared scallops
- Indian or Thai spiced dishes or curries
A white wine for lighter fare
Boeckel 2015 Riesling (Alsace); $13, 90 points. A reticent nose on this wine tells only of earth and faint citrus at this point. The uncompromisingly dry palate however, is perfumed with conifer and citrus zest around a fluid, concentrated center. The tart, super-clean lemon finish tingles enticingly. Best Buy. —Anne Krebiehl MW
The Dishes
- Herb-roasted turkey
- Grilled fish
- Choucroute garnie
A white wine for heartier fare
Shea 2013 Shea Vineyard Chardonnay (Willamette Valley); $35, 95 points. Here is an utterly irresistible wine—spicy, sensuous and layered with beautifully ripened citrus, tree and tropical fruits. A whiff of pine needle continues as a flavor thread, along with vanilla, buttered nuts, lemongrass and macaroon. This wine just keeps on going. Editors’ Choice. —Paul Gregutt
The Dishes
- Lobster bisque
- Foie gras
- Creamy sauces, such as Poisson de Rivière au Beurre Blanc (River Fish with Butter Sauce)
- Feast of the Seven Fishes
A juicy red for pork and poultry
Langmeil 2013 The Fifth Wave Grenache (Barossa); $53, 94 points. Grenache is being treated with more and more respect around Australia, which means more bottlings are reaching the variety’s potential. Gentle herbal notes intertwine with bunches of black cherries and a hint of vanilla in this medium- to full-bodied example. Hints of red peppercorn capture a unique combination of fruit and spice, while the finish is long and crisp. —Joe Czerwinski
The Dishes
- Pork roast
- Baked ham
- Roast duck
A bold red wine for richer fare
G D Vajra 2012 Ravera (Barolo); $60, 94 points. Intense and well structured, this offers scents of wild berry, blue flower, chopped herb and a balsamic note. The firm palate boasts juicy black cherry, crushed raspberry, pipe tobacco, licorice and clove alongside a backbone of polished tannins. A mineral note lifts the finish. Drink 2020–2027. —Kevin O’Keefe
The Dishes
- Goose
- Standing rib roast
- Truffles
A sparkling for dessert
Schramsberg 2007 Reserve Sparkling (North Coast); $120, 96 points. Made from 76% Pinot Noir and 24% Chardonnay, spice-tinged fruit aromas and toasted baguette complexity make a grand entrance on the nose. It then gushes bold and complex flavors, like toasted walnuts and almonds, poached pears and a touch of ginger. Although big and broad in flavor for a sparkling wine, it’s very well structured and a good bet to age through 2022 or longer. Cellar Selection. —Jim Gordon
The Dishes
- Gingerbread
- Fruitcake
- Hard cheeses, such as aged gouda, manchego and Parmigiano-Reggiano
Published: December 20, 2016
