Now that the holiday season has descended, and we’re busy with festive celebrations and thoughts of gift giving, I thought some wine suggestions were in order.
Here are a few, which I hope will ease the task of making selections.
HOLIDAY GATHERINGS
For meals featuring traditional fare such as turkey or ham, I would suggest a light, off-dry to dry rose, such as the My Essential Rose (about $14 a bottle). Light, ethereal, minerally roses pair with a surprisingly broad range of food, plus they’re gulpable and delicious.
Lighter-bodied, lower-alcohol red wines, such as the Domaine Skouras Red (about $14), are also a delight, with or without food. Before serving, chill the bottle about 10 minutes.
If you are planning to serve an Asian menu, consider the CF Euro-Asian Riesling Medium Dry (about $14). This innovative, off-dry German white wine is tailor-made for Hawaii’s Asian-inspired foods and overdelivers for the dollar.
Looking for a well-priced cabernet sauvignon to serve? I would suggest the Ernesto Catena "Tahuan" Cabernet Sauvignon (about $18). This is an elegant, well-textured, organically farmed cabernet from high up the foothills of Argentina’s Andes Mountains.
As for something bubbly, my pick is the Mionetto Prosecco "Gold Label" (about $14). This Italian sparkler is delicious and remarkably light yet doesn’t break the bank.
At the other end of the bubbly spectrum is Champagne, and when the occasion beckons, I suggest the Veuve Fourny "Grande Reserve" (about $52). Since its blend is 80 percent chardonnay and 20 percent pinot noir, the result is an elegant, fine, high-toned style.
Because it’s made exclusively of old-vine premier cru grapes, there is also remarkable finesse, pedigree, intricacy, sophistication — and the signature tiny bubbles.
GIFT GIVING
Here are a few ideas, in different styles and price ranges:
» 2012 Palmina Dolcetto "Santa Barbara" (about $21): Dolcetto is an Italian grape variety, but this one is grown in the cooler Santa Barbara appellation and crafted by superstar pinot noir winemaker Steve Clifton of Brewer Clifton fame. Not only is this wine delicious, it is also remarkably food friendly, especially for the feasts this time of year.
» 2012 Melville Pinot Noir "Estate" (about $33): As wine aficionados well know, Melville is one of the most acclaimed wineries out of California today. And this 2012 is the most compelling wine I have tasted from that venerable estate. It is a minerally wine, elegant, alluring, refined and seductively textured. Yes, it would make a memorable gift — but be sure to buy a bottle for yourself as well. You will be glad you did.
» For those in search of a trophy-styled Napa Valley cabernet-based red, I recommend exploring both the Behrens Family and Erna Schein labels. These feature incredible grape sources and the masterful winemaking of superstar Les Behrens.
Because Behrens produces just eight to 10 lots of numerous boutique wines every vintage, each labeled under a proprietary name (such as "The Heavyweight"), the allocations and availability of each are limited. They typically run $75 to $125 a bottle, overdelivering for the dollar when compared with many other Napa Valley trophy wines. Most wine collectors will be thrilled with their first sip.
Chuck Furuya is a master sommelier and a partner in the DK Restaurants group. Follow his blog at chuckfuruya.com.
