By The Wine Guy
Remember that rush you got on Christmas morning, as you saw what was under the tree? Well, the gifts over the years may have changed, but that “rush” still remains the same, when we get something nice AND unexpected. With that goal in mind, I’d like to make some suggestions about items that are as much fun to drink as they are to get.
Duckhorn Vineyards of California has a number of gift-sets available and one of their best-sellers is their White Christmas package which contains a bottle of 2017 Duckhorn Napa Sauvignon Blanc and a bottle of their 2016 Migration Sonoma County Chardonnay, both 750 ml. Bottles, gift-boxed. (https://www.duckhornwineshop.com)
Since we’re in the Napa neighborhood, another great gift idea comes from Merryvale Vineyards and it’s really great if you’ve got a lot of people looking for a glass of really superb Cabernet Sauvignon. Their “Merry Magnum” is a 1.5 Litre bottle of their outstanding 2013 Merryvale Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon. This Cab has been described as, “rich and dark in the glass. Aromas of blackberry and faint dried herb waft up from the rim towards you. Upon tasting, the wine has a broad and pleasant entry, moving to a focused and weighty mid palate with notes of cassis, toast and graphite. A lengthy finish shows well-proportioned tannin that will gain even more complexity as time passes”. Presented in an elegantly branded wood box, this magnificent magnum from the fabled 2013 vintage is a gift that will excite and impress even the most discerning wine lover. $155.00
From Oregon comes a two-bottle set that’s not only great for any holiday table; it’s specially-priced for the Holidays. Maysara Vineyards’ Mixed Holiday Package. This two-bottle set features a Maysara 2013 Cyrus Pinot Noir and a 2016 Anahita Riesling. Both wines are elegantly food-friendly; pair the Pinot Noir with the Christmas Prime Rib and match the Riesling with your Holiday Ham. Both wines come in a 750 ml. Size and are being offered for $50.00 per set- a very special price for some extraordinary wine!
We really couldn’t finish without mentioning two things – Champagne and the country that originally produced it, France. When the monk Dom Perignon exclaimed, “Come and see, brothers! I’ve made stars!”, his accidental double fermentation became a global game-changer. You can give a great sparkling sampler from Personal Wines that includes three of France’s best.
The Perrier-Jouët Grand Brut is delicate, elegant and balanced. The striking freshness and vivacity of the floral and fruity fragrances (yellow fruits and fresh fruits) take root, before giving way to subtle notes of vanilla and butter, lending the wine a fruity and consistent character. Since its founding in 1772, Veuve Clicquot has not only been heralded for its classic Champagnes, but also for the courage and creativity of Madame Clicquot, who is regarded as being the first businesswoman of the modern era. This Veuve Clicquot Ponsardin Brut is a medium-bodied, open-textured Champagne, showing citrus, yeast and mineral flavors in a clean, fresh style.
Each glass of Pol Roger displays a beautiful golden straw color, and innumerable fine bubbles. Aromas of pear and mango accompany each swirl. Flavors of honeysuckle, white jasmine, vanilla, and brioche are joined by cooked fruit (quince jelly, apricot jam) on the palate, and each taste finishes with intriguing hints of beeswax and acacia honey. This is considered by many the greatest apértif Champagne. Offered at $149.00.
