Good Tidings & Better Wine
This article is from an email written for Foxtrot Market.
It’s that time of year again. From holiday parties to family time to catching up with old friends, it’s definitely the season of gatherings. And depending on the company you keep, some of these get togethers are probably a little more (read: a lot more) sophisticated than others. But if there’s one universal truth in this world, it’s that it’s important to stock up on the essentials—like wine. So, whether you’re headed to that Friendsgiving that’ll probably end in a drinking game or the dinner party at your boss’s that requires you to know what a salad fork is, our Somm. put together a list of the all best wines—categorized by if you’re looking to impress or imbibe.
Dress It Up
Best for impressing the in-laws, your boss or that friend who knows a lot about wine.
Raptor Ridge Pinot Noir Barrel Select
This bottle is a balanced representation of Oregon’s Willamette Valley. A vintage from Raptor Ridge’s barrel select series, the winemakers that produced this wine made their selections with grapes sourced only from their own vineyards—resulting in a bottle that’s a youthful and zippy rendition of Pinot.
Domaine Michel Girard Sancerre
The first thing you need to know is that terroir is all the elements that effect a bottle of wine such as people and place. The second thing you should know is that this bottle comes from a region with the best terroir for producing Sauvignon Blanc, resulting in a wine that’s both subtle and complex with a great fruit depth.
Bedrock Old Vine Zinfandel
Using grapes sourced from vines dating back almost 80 years, this bottle is comprised mainly of Zinfandel. It’s wonderfully balanced with superior structure and that textbook Zin perfume, spice and freshness. Even better, it’s ready to pop and pour the second you buy it.
Daniel Dampt, Chablis
With a tendency to be lean and even have harsh acidic notes because of varying sites and producers from year to year, it can be difficult to find a good Chablis. Not the case with this bottle from Burgundy. Made with just enough fruit to balance out the dryness and acidity, this one is sure to impress.
Dress It Down
Great options for those nights that feel just like old days.
La Vieille Ferme, Rouge
This wine is a medium bodied red blend that’s made by one of the most notable producers in France. It’s elegant yet rich and can really hold its own against bottles twice the cost.
Casal Garcia Vinho Verde White
Fun fact about this bottle: its name translates to “young wine” and is typically made to be enjoyed within 3-5 months of harvest. It’s slightly effervescent and highly drinkable, making it a great everyday wine and a true crowd pleaser.
Deux Moulins, Pinot Noir
This Pinot’s produced in the Loire Valley, a region that’s known for making great French wines without the Burgundy price point. Driven by notes of cranberry and red cherry, there’s a bit of minerality and spice to this wine, putting it on the lighter and brighter end of the Pinot Noir spectrum.
Rough Day Chardonnay
This bottle is a perfect example of a crisp and fresh unoaked Chardonnay. It has brilliant aromatics and flavors of peach, citrus and white flowers that pairs perfectly with poultry (whether that’s a legit Thanksgiving turkey or just that rotisserie chicken someone brought).