Curated Holiday Wine List – Our Top 10 Picks
With the holiday season just around the corner, it’s time to think about the perfect wines to make your gatherings shine! We’ve rounded up a fabulous selection of food-friendly wines that are not only easy to sip but also pair beautifully with all the classic dishes you're planning on serving.
Whether you’re in the mood for the crisp and refreshing white or a rich complex red, there’s something here for everyone. These wines are all about bringing joy to the table, inviting laughter, and enhancing those special moments with family and friends. So, let’s raise a glass to good food, great company, and the perfect pour this holiday season.
Textbook Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon
This Napa Valley Cabernet is a perfect pick for the holidays, with its rich and inviting flavors that are sure to please everyone at the table. With each sip, you’ll taste layers of wild blueberry, blackberry jam and a hint of mocha. The firm tannins give it just the right amount of power, making it a great match for those hearty holiday meals. This wine is all about slowing down and savoring each sip, making your gatherings feel extra special. Whether you’re a wine aficionado or just enjoy a good glass now and then, this cabernet sauvignon is sure to be a hit.
Elouan Pinot Noir
Oregon pinot noirs are classics for a reason! And this wine is no exception. Elouan stands for “Good Light”. The regions cool summers, yet abundance of sunshine lend to the wines elegant and smooth flavors. Along with vibrant fruit flavors, this pinot noir offers notes of baking spices with a peppery finish. This comes from aging for ten months in both new and seasoned French oak barrels. This pinot noir perfectly showcases the unique qualities of Oregon’s coastal vineyards.
Trademarked by notes of opulent plum, bright cherry and a subtle earthiness. It’s a wine that’s meant to be enjoyed slowly, perfect for cozy holiday dinners and gatherings where you want to impress without being too formal.
Argyle Chardonnay
This chardonnay is like a breath of fresh air for your holiday festivities, bringing a crisp and vibrant touch to your celebrations. Opening with lively aromas of green apple and pear, accompanied by subtle hints of fresh bread and a delicate floral perfume. It's light-bodied and incredibly easy to drink, showing off a burst of orchard fruit flavors. Each sip is an enjoyable experience. Perfect for pairing with lighter appetizers and seafood dishes, this chardonnay is sure to be a crowd-pleaser, adding a touch of elegance and charm to your gatherings.
Napa Valley Quilt Red Blend
The Napa Valley Quilt Red Blend is an exceptional choice for any get together, offering rich and savory dark fruited flavors that will impress a wide range of guests. Crafted from petite sirah, merlot, zinfandel, and petit verdot grapes sourced from the diverse vineyards of Napa Valley, this blend showcases a deep plum color with scarlet red highlights. The aromas out of the glass burst with berry, licorice, and sweet butterscotch. On the palate, you'll find juicy blackberry and zesty cherry. The fruit is complemented with some taste notes of espresso, with subtle notes of cedar and clove. This eloquent wine boasts grippy tannins and vibrant acidity, making it perfect for the holiday table and appealing to both wine aficionados and casual drinkers alike.
Laurent-Perrier La Cuvee Brut Champagne
If you’re looking for an elegant bottle of classic Champagne to serve up, reach for a bottle of Laurent-Perrier. This award-winning sparkler delivers a delicate nose, and reveals hints of fresh citrus and white flowers, while the palate showcases a complex array of flavors, including vine peach and white fruits. With a perfect balance between freshness and delicacy, these bubbles pair perfectly when dining, as an aperitif or throughout the meal. The fruity notes linger beautifully on the finish. This champagne is sure to impress your guests and elevate any toast during the festive season!
Dough Sauvignon Blanc
If you're in need of a classic white wine that is sure to bring a hint of cheer to everyone’s glass, pick up a bottle of Dough Sauvignon Blanc. It opens with lovely floral aromas of jasmine, layered with zesty lime, as well as the classic sauvignon blanc flavors of ripe green melon and grapefruit with a bright, crisp finish. This unoaked wine is perfect for pairing with delicious bites like canapes or shellfish.
Plus, this wine is truly made to be paired with food. It’s crafted by Heidi Bridenhagen, in collaboration with James Beard Foundation chefs, making it not just a tasty choice but also a wine that supports a great cause. Each sip contributes to creating a more inclusive and sustainable food culture, making it a meaningful addition to your celebrations!
Banfi Brunello di Montalcino
Showcasing the rich heritage of Italian winemaking, Banfi is an exceptional pick. As the first wine in Italy to earn DOCG status and the estate’s flagship wine, this Brunello exemplifies elegance, balance, and incredible aging potential.
You'll be captivated by its ethereal bouquet, which features inviting aromas of vanilla, accented by hints of licorice. On the palate, it offers a full, soft, and velvety experience with subtle traces of spice that make each sip delightful. It pairs wonderfully with roasts, rich pastas and aged cheeses, making it the perfect companion for your holiday feasts. Enjoying this wine not only elevates your meal but also connects you to a long-standing tradition of Italian craftsmanship.
Vina Cobos Felino Malbec
Vina Cobos Felino Malbec is like a taste of Argentina’s vibrant spirit in a glass. This wine captures the lively essence of its homeland, crafted from carefully selected grapes in the renowned regions of Luján de Cuyo and Valle de Uco. With its striking purple hue and brilliant violet reflections, this Malbec entices you with notes of black fruit, roses, and blueberries, setting the stage for a delightful tasting experience. Perfect for pairing with steak, pork and lamb, this wine is food-friendly and an easy sip for any guest.
Lucien Albrecht Gewurztraminer
This wine is bursting with character, hailing from Alsace, France it starts with an aromatic nose that invites you in with sweet spices like cinnamon and cardamom, paired with the tropical allure of mango, papaya, and guava. On the palate, it offers a lovely complexity, with lingering flavors of spice and juicy mango that make it incredibly enjoyable. Best served chilled between 8-10°C, this gewurztraminer is perfect for pairing with a variety of foods. Whether you’re enjoying it with appetizers, Asian dishes, or even sweet and sour flavors, it’s sure to complement your meal beautifully. Plus, it’s a great match for strong cheeses and fruity desserts, making it a versatile choice that your guests will love!
Bodegas Alto Moncayo Garnacha
This Spanish red is a showstopper that’s sure to impress your guests! As the winery’s flagship wine, it comes from 40 to 70-year-old vines and is aged in new barrels for 20 months, resulting in a beautifully complex flavor profile. This powerhouse red is not for the weak! he nose greets you with aromas of toasted marshmallows, balsamic vinaigrette, and rich black fruit. Sipping this wine offers a mouthwatering experience that is only enhanced by the velvety tannings and oak flavors. This Wine Enthusiast 95-point rater garnacha truly stands out. Pair it with hearty dishes or simply enjoy it on its own. Your holiday table will shine with this exceptional wine!
