A New Look at Old Holiday Wines

by
Maureen Rooney, Wine Consultant, Author, Artist|

One of the best parts of celebrating the holidays with family and friends is sharing traditions and enjoying good food and drinks with those you love. Old traditions and a twist of something new make your home the place to be this holiday season. This year make your guests feel extra special by offering them wines that are special and maybe aren’t so common. It doesn’t have to break the bank to try something new. Here are some ideas that are worth trying and, you never know, maybe you’ll find a new favorite.

Christmas in Venice, Florida

This first wine is becoming easier to find and a great alternative to your usual white wine. Gruner Veltliner is a crisp, dry white wine from Austria. The best come from the prestigious region of Kamptal, about an hour north of Vienna. Loimer’s Gruner Veltliner 2016 has a bright straw yellow color with a bouquet of yellow apple, white pepper with hints of citrus. The palate is well balanced, fresh and crisp with a bit of spice on the finish. This wine pairs well with grilled fish or dishes with cream sauces. It is a great choice for the feast of the seven fishes! It will also compliment your grilled vegetables, roasted chicken and turkey, as well as the deep-fried dishes like “Wiener Schnitzel” and good old friend chicken.

Brilliant bright straw yellow; pronounced and inviting on the nose with a bouquet reminiscent of yellow apple, white pepper, subtle hints of citrus and some exotic notes; on the palate well balanced with a delicate freshness, a crisp acidity and an elegant body; juicy fruit nuances, spicy undertones and a wonderful length.
When pairing a wine with the perfect turkey dinner, one needs to consider the array of flavors of the feast that are being served. Buttery mashed potatoes, marshmallow candied sweet potatoes, maple ginger brussels sprouts and cranberry-orange sauce may all taste wonderful with turkey, but what wine will taste great with all of them? One with complexity and structure that will stand out, but not cover up those luscious flavors.

This year I am recommending Les Vignerons de Tavel 2017, a dry Grenache and Cinsault rosé. The wine also includes some Syrah, Mouvedre, Carignan, Clairette, Picpoul and Bourboulenc. Tavel is in the Southern Rhone region along the same landscape as Chateauneuf-du-Pape. This unique wine region is devoted specifically to rosé wines. These wines are deep fuchsia to raspberry in color and have an elegant minerality from the limestone soil. The minerality from the limestone balances the rich flavor of fruit to produce a dry, flavorful wine. The aroma of rosemary, thyme, lavender and juniper are prevalent in the wine as in the surrounding vineyards. Hints of berries and stone fruit with intense minerality and herbal aromas make this an elegant, yet pleasantly refreshing wine. The strong flavors of this wine are why it will pair so well with the variety of flavors and spices that fill your holiday meals.

Southern Rhone Valley

Gigondas is a must have when celebrating in traditional holiday style. Many cultures turn to this flavorful red wine this time of year as a special treat to share at their family gatherings.

Gigondas, which is made from up to 80% Grenache and a minimum of 15% Syrah and Mouvedre grapes has been enjoyed for centuries and is gaining more visibility in the U.S. The village of Gigondas was originally a back headquarters for Roman armies who gave it its name which means joy and pleasure. Since gaining its own appellation status and AOC designation in 1971, winemakers have strived to conserve the area for premium grape growing for generations to come. Gigondas is one of the most rewarded appellations in the Rhone Valley. So, this year try a bottle of Louis Bernard Gigondas Red and experience the rich flavors of blackberry jam, dark cherries, currants and savory spices with even tannins. This wine should be opened to breathe about an hour before drinking as it will need time for flavors to open. It also should be served with a slight coolness, about 55 degrees. This wine pairs well with strong cheese, red meats, poultry, herbed lamb and Mediterranean dishes.

Did I tell you that I really appreciate good sparkling wine? I mean, I really do! It doesn’t have to be expensive to be good. I can be happy with a nice prosecco, but I’m more selective these days. Like most people, I save the good stuff for special occasions or the holidays. This year I was able to find a bottle of Laurent-Perrier Brut Cuveé Rosé Champagne, which has a 93pt rating and came in a gift box with 2 champagne flutes. This exceptional wine is made of 100% Pinot Noir grapes from the single winery in Champagne, France. It is intense salmon pink in color with aromas of strawberries, red currants, raspberries and black cherries. The taste of mixed berries and spice is full and round on the palate and has a long dry finish. This a great wine to serve at any time you want to create a very special moment. Enjoy this wine on its own as an aperitif or pair with fish, lamb, or a light cheese and berry fruit plate.

I remember when I was I child, anyone who came to my grandfather’s house during the holiday season, was given a special drink and a toast for good health in the New Year. Since my grandfather never drank, except for an occasional beer during the Sunday Cub’s game, I knew this was something quite special. I don’t know what he was serving way back then, but I’ve been watching Cognac’s reemergence on the scene and gaining popularity again. Made primarily from Ugni Blanc grapes from Cognac, France, this Brandy is distilled twice under the strictest quality control guidelines dating back hundreds of years. Cognac was very popular in the U.S. before prohibition and it was the original main liquor in the famously southern Mint Julep. It wasn’t until after prohibition that bourbon and local whiskey became the southern staple. Thankfully, a new generation in the beverage industry is bringing back those forgotten treasures for all to enjoy.

There are four different aging designations of Cognac and the price usually increases with age.

V.S. (Very Special or 3 Star) Must have been aged in oak for a minimum of two years. This is about half of all the Cognac sold in the world.

V.S.O.P. (Very Superior Old Pale or Reserve) Must have been aged at least four years in oak.

X.O. (Extra Old or Napoléon) Must have been at least 10 years in oak. This makes up only 10% of the world total.

HORS d’ AGE (Beyond Age) Greatly in excess of the mandatory 10 years aging period. Extremely Rare.

Depending on what you enjoy, Cognac can be sipped neat (alone) in a small tulip glass or added to cocktails. I use the less aged for cocktails and better aged for sipping. Here are a few to consider:

Courvoisier V.S. Cognac is a more popular brand priced around $25. It has dried apricot and peach flavor with a spiced finish. Great for mixing in a cocktail or sipping alone.

Hine Rare V.S.O.P. Cognac is sophisticated and beautiful for sipping. Priced around $65, this is a special treat with aromas of citrus, apples and pears. Flavors of grapefruit and honey reveal themselves in a long smooth finish.

Cognac Frapin Chateau de Fontpinot X.O. A serious Cognac ($140), although not the most expensive, has aromas of orange and honeysuckle. Bold and fresh with flavors of dark chocolate, apricots and spice with a finish that lingers. This Cognac makes an impression and a perfect finish to a fine dinner or evening.

Whatever you choose this year, choose to have fun and enjoy your friends and family! They are the most special ones in our lives. So, raise your glass, To Friends and Family, Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, Peace on Earth, and Drink Great Wine!

First Christmas Card mailed in UK circa 1843