A Christmas with snow might be a distant memory as weather uncertainties persist, but for your holiday entertaining this year, switch it up a bit and consider premium quality white wines to give your holiday entertaining a new level of discovery and enjoyment. We think we’re onto a new trend, so read on!
California Chardonnay wines from Napa Valley continue to set the standards for the category created decades ago, but there is more attention being showered on their flavorful and flourishing finishes. Previous iterations of California Chardonnay had overwhelming aromas of oak (from the barrels for aging) and after tastes of “butter”.
Chateau Montelena’s 2022 Chardonnay, a young but ageable wine, is a gorgeous burst of Meyer lemon, green apple, without being too fruit forward. On the “nose” you’ll smell peach, apricot and orange blossom. The texture is so well balanced, thanks in part to its 10 months of ageing in French oak barrels before bottling. Grgich Hills Estate Chardonnay 2021 reflects this refreshing approach to a classic California Chardonnay. Winning awards since 1977, a with a commitment to minimal-intervention winegrowing practices and 100% certified regenerative organic vineyards, Grgich Hills’ Chardonnay is tantalizing delicious with its crisp Asian pear, citrus and rich honeycomb on the palate with a slight mineral finish which will have your guests asking for another pour.
Santa Rita’s Floresta Chardonnay from Chile’s Casablanca Valley is a game changing Chardonnay, showing a bit of the influence of the graphite soil in the grapes, with hints of stone fruit and lemon zest, for a surprisingly balanced white wine with a fresh finish. The South African Chenin Blanc 2021 from Transparency by Illimis might not be the Chenin Blanc “profile” you’re used to drinking (i.e. French). This one is full-bodied, with refreshing hints of mango and stone fruit, with a spicy and peppery undertone—all in all, an excellent alternative to a classic French Chenin Blanc.
Wines with a royal pedigree like the ones made by Princess Marie of Liechtenstein who lives in a castle in Vaduz, should be on your wine radar! What a pleasure to taste several white wines from this region including the ever-popular Reid Karlsberg Gruner Veltliner 2021. A brilliant bright wine with notes of citrus blossom, ripe pear and quince, ending with a peppery spiciness, and long finish will delight your guests. These wines are grown on land owned by the royal family for more than 600 years!
Still looking for a red or rosé wine recommendation? We sampled red wines from Abadia Retuerta (“twisted abbey” in English) which is located in Spain’s Duero Valley, a winery with the distinction of having its own DOP (designation of protected origin). The land was farmed by monks over eight centuries ago (ca.1150) and the 12th century abbey has been restored and renovated into a 5-star hotel with several culinary awarded restaurants and a spa where visitors can experience every aspect of this historic winery.
Brewer-Clifton’s 2023 Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir is a red wine that captures the unique character and harmony of its appellation in Santa Barbara County in a blend using grapes from four distinct vineyard sites. If the name Whispering Angel means anything to you, search out Sacha Lachine’s The Pale Rosé 2023 vintage, a tasty and drinkable blend of Grenache, Cinsault, Syrah and Rolle grapes—harvested at night to avoid the heat of the daytime sun—in Provence. The Pale derives its name from Londoners calling for a fresh glass of Rose.
We couldn’t close out the year without mentioning the visit of one of Japan’s legendary whisky master distillers to NYC with Dekanta, an online retailer of rare Japanese whiskies. This exclusive tasting at The Whisky Vault in the Nippon Building in midtown Manhattan included a meeting with Nakazato-san, Master Distiller, and Totsuka-san, CEO of Karuizawa Whisky Distillery, as rare an event as any.
Whisky enthusiasts and collectors familiar with Karuizawa and its heritage might know about the ultra-pure, high altitude spring water they use, and the meticulous production of this whisky from cask to bottle. Karuizawa has a complex resurrection history, which makes it even more intriguing. These whiskies are meant for sipping, with a splash of spring water or an ice cube, or simply straight up. You’ll enjoy a gorgeous bouquet of subtle flavors and aromas of dried fruits (raisins, prunes, apricots), toasted almonds with notes of lemon, orange, honey and molasses that wraps around you as you savor each sip.
Enjoy the next few weeks of this holiday season!
