While I love pairing wine with food, the holiday season can easily become a nightmare; Thanksgiving feasts are full of conflicting flavors and Christmas dinner is often a showcase event that demands extra special wine.  Add appetizer and dessert pairings and the stress has me reaching for the vodka.

To avoid that, I worry less about pairing and more about sharing. The holidays are more fun when I share my latest discoveries and encourage people to do the same.

Tip: Buy a few mixed cases of your favorite white, red, bubbles, and pre- and post dinner wines so you have them around for the entire holiday season. Or try something new from this list–you’re off the hook just tell your friends, they’re recommendations from Girl with a Glass!

Here are my recommendations:

Sparkling.  I like to share something new every year.  This year’s list.

Red. Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon & Red Blends are my choices.

Dessert Wines. (Stay tuned, coming soon!)

Happy Holidays!  

PS: Everyone on my mailing list will be receiving a holiday gift this year, so if you aren’t already signed up, do it soon!

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Pinot Noir.  Always a favorite with food, you’ll probably want to serve at least one with your Thanksgiving meal.  I’m currently having a love affair with Pinot from California’s Sonoma Coast, I recommend anything by winemaker Jim McPhail, who has incidentally (and deservedly) won just about every award ever given. (Tip: The MacPhails are offering 15% off 6 bottles (new releases) on their website for a limited time. Another idea, go to your local wine shop & get representatives from Oregon, Russian River, Sonoma Coast, Carneros and have a taste off.) 

2008 Hedges Family Estate Red Mountain, Washington State  This is one of those “who the heck cares what’s in it, it’s fantastic” wines.  If you want to understand what it means to balance acid, tannins and fruit flavors for a terrifically enjoyable experience, try this wine. You can drink it with food or by itself.  I was pleasantly surprised that it was priced at $25, I expected a much higher price tag. (Tip: It’s primarily a Cabernet Sauvignon / Merlot blend and party-friendly at 13.5% alcohol.)

2008 (or ’09) Tikal Patriota, Argentina. This is my favorite bring-to-a-party or gift wine.  It has bold Napa-like fruit with the balance and acidity of France. All fantastic. (60% Bonarda 40% Malbec)  Color is clear and deep dark purple. Very exciting wine. Just gorgeous, balanced. Dry, melted tannins, refreshing acidity, full-bodied & extended finish. All the pieces are harmonious. Made by Ernesto Catena, one of my top 10 winemakers to follow.(Tip: If you’re serving lamb at any of your holiday parties, this a great wine pairing. Fairly easy to find online.) 

2008 Grand Classique Glen Carlou, Paarl South Africa  This is Donald Hess’ South Africa project; if you like the Hess Collection, you’ll enjoy this classic Bordeaux “signature” wine. It’s enjoyable at first sip, no need to decant but at the same time has plenty of flavor. (Tip: Use wine-searcher.com to find a retailer near you or the Hess Collection online, it retails for around $20.)

2009 BenMarco Cabernet Sauvignon, Mendoza Argentina  The body is perfect, has weight but not too much. With 5% Merlot and 5% Cabernet Franc it reminds me of a sunny day at 3,000′ in Argentina. It has a hint of Christmas spice and lush fruit, I like this wine very much. (Tip: Winemaker Susana Balbo makes several labels; she’s a real talent. The price for this fabulous cab is an affordable $2o.)

More holiday picks White Wine  & Sparkling.

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It’s important to stock up on white wine at the holidays.  Even though I advise sharing your favorites, this is one area where it’s also an opportunity to be a gracious host, prepared for guests that “don’t drink red” or drink only Chardonnay. And please don’t serve 2 Buck Chuck; you may like it but there are plenty of other inexpensive wines that say “I care” while not breaking your piggy bank.

Here’s a few of my favorite interesting white wines that I’ll share with my guests this holiday season.

2009 Glen Carlou Chardonnay Paarl South Africa Another Donald Hess gem, this Chardonnay is nicely balanced, not too acidic or tart and not too oaky. It goes with food and is also very enjoyable on it’s own. Just a beautiful example of what the Chardonnay grape can be. Since it’s from South Africa with only about 10,000 cases imported to the USA, it might be a new and pleasant discovery for your guests. (Tip: Usually $16, now on sale at wine.com)

2009 Haute Cabriere Franschhoek Chardonnay Pinot Noir South Africa 2009 was a great vintage for South African Chardonnay which may have something to do with this wine’s exceptionalness. It’s the only 60% Chardonnay and 40% Pinot Noir blend that I’ve ever tasted so I can’t say if others are as wonderful or not. The Haute Cabriere is flavorful and balanced with a long finish. With low alcohol (12.5%), it’s food friendly or great on it’s own. (Tip: Use wine-searcher.com to find where to buy it.

2008 Leyda Chardonnay, Lot 5, Chile.  Just a little reminder that Chile makes some fine Chardonnay, this one is hard to find unfortunately.  The link above goes to my review earlier this year in Alana’s Wine Picks. (Tip: Look here for other ideas too.)

2006 Laurenz V Charming Gruner Veltliner, Austria  It’s minerally, rich and has a hint of well-balanced light pepper spice. I highly recommend trying it and sharing it, especially if you’re tired of the same old whites. (Tip: This is not a budget wine at $30 but it is comparable to buying a Napa Chardonnay and it has the fun factor of trying something new. The 2009 is the current vintage. For more information about where to find this wine, contact the good folks at Folio Wine.)

More holiday picks Red  & Sparkling.

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It’s my tradition to open a bottle of sparkling wine for the cooks at family events.  I am picky about my bubbly so when I find sparkling wine that is dry yet zesty and flavorful with tiny bubbles, I’m a happy girl.

The ultimate is No 21 from Jean Charles Boisset. This is a winery label to get to know and follow like a cult. I spent a few hours with JC and he leaves an indelible impression; even better, his wines rock. Everything you need to know about his wines and why they are radiant (a word he loves to use) can be gleaned by watching the über-enthusiasm in his video. Serve this wine and the story behind it for a real conversation starter. (Tip: JCB wines can be tasted in Healdsburg or in his private lounge in Napa. This sparkler is only $20. Buy his wines online.)

Dry sparkling rosé of Pinot Noir is a must have for the holidays.  2008 Schramsburg Brut Rosé  Schramsberg makes hand crafted, fine wines. This one is made from Sonoma and Marin Coastal Pinot Noir, and juiced up with warmer Carneros and Alexander Valley Pinot. (Tip: At $41 it’s worth it in my opinion and it’s still less expensive than the 2004 J Shram that I opened last New Year’s.  Here’s an article I wrote about Schramsberg.)

For Gloria Ferrer’s many fans, there’s a new limited edition wine,  Gloria Ferrer 2005 Anniversary Cuvée.  I attended a 2 day media tour and tasting recently and was struck by the lovely presentation of this wine. It was harvested in their 25th year (2005) and released 40 months later. (Tip: It’s only available in the tasting room (good excuse to visit) or online.)

For easy drinking, Chandon Brut Classic.  There are plenty of “grocery store” sparklers and everyone has their favorite.  For me, the Chandon Brut Classic doesn’t disappoint.  It’s under $25.  (Tip: If you want to try something new, Chandon has many other styles and flavors or you can use their recipes to make sparkling cocktails.)

More holiday picks White Wine  & Red.

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Silkbush Mountain Vineyards

Earlier this year I met Dave Jefferson, the founder of South Africa’s Silkbush Mountain Vineyards.  We enjoyed a lively conversation about trends in the global wine market in a LinkedIn forum and then met at his local office here in California. His company owns multiple investment properties including vineyards and wineries in Napa and Sonoma.  At that time, he gave me two bottles of Pinotage from his Western Cape vineyards, a 2008 Lions’ Drift Pinotage and a pre-release of his 2009 Pinotage (same brand).

I’ve been intrigued by South African wine but know relatively little about it.  I was pleasantly surprised by the 2008 but blown away by the 2009–it is stellar wine.

Dave and his local partner, Anton Roos, and their multi-lingual and multi-cultural staff, farm 215 acres of vineyards under a dramatic mountain called, Sybasberg (Anglicized to Silkbush).  The location is beautiful and close to the popular wine tasting region, Stellenbosh. Dave has been to South Africa well over two dozen times since 1994 and if you are planning a trip or just curious, he has created a detailed resource for wine lovers, “Planning a Trip to South Africa“.*

Until I get to South Africa, I’ll settle for enjoying Silkbush’s Lion’s Drift Pinotage. The 2009 arrived in the U.S. in late October 2011 and is available through several retailers and distributors.   This is a wine that drinks well by itself and with food, in the evening or afternoon.  I would bring it to a party, a lunch date, pair it with appetizers or serve it at Thanksgiving or Christmas. It’s enticing; after tasting it for review, I found myself wanting to enjoy a full glass. If you want more detail, Palate Press published a very accurate flavor profile of the 2009 Lion’s Drift Pinotage.

*You can stay on the property if you are a VIP (wine journalist, distributor, retailer, etc.) or paying guest. For information about where to find Silkbush’s wine or to stay at Kingsbury Cottage, contact Dave Jefferson.

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It Begins in the Vineyard

I have repeatedly promised never to write anything negative on my blog but I feel compelled to save budding wine drinkers. I recently tasted Charles Shaw Chardonnay and for a few more bucks, you can do better. I promise. Two Buck Chuck was created as a consumer brand, just fermented grapes in a bottle, no winery, no family history, etc.  Making products for profit while not caring about quality is not unique to 2 Buck Chuck.  The good news is there are plenty of other brands that do care about quality, for just a few more bucks.

One label that is super easy to find is Cono Sur, from Chile.  Cono Sur imports 1.7 million cases to 65 different countries.  Cono Sur has wines under $10 as well as over $10, you can easily replace your Charles Shaw reds and whites as well as enjoy super Pinot Noir and red blends for under $30.

An added benefit, the company is run by an innovative group of people who care about the environment.

Our fruit is harvested in vineyards farmed in the spirit of organic management or sustainable agriculture, two comprehensive agricultural systems that allow us to take advantage of the healthy and clean environment. Cono Sur.

A few of my favorites…

Cono Sur, 2009 Bicycle Viogner Fresh, zippy, great aromas, serve cold. Widely available in the US (5,000 cases). The Bicycle brand sells for under $10.

Cono Sur, 20 Barrels Limited Edition Pinot Noir, Casablanca Valley 2009 Tried too many watery Pinots? This one is full, smooth & complex. New world fruit, old world wine making. This wine is around $20 USD, very inexpensive for Pinot Noir.

Cono Sur Vision Single Vineyard Block 68 old vine Pinot Noir, 2009 Cono Sur’s fruitier style. Cherries & soft tannins. (Around $15 USD)

Look to other producers to replace your 2 Buck Chuck, especially wines from around the world. Many of them are great quality, care about the environment and just happen to be inexpensive.

** no family trees, no dusty bottles, just quality wine is the tagline for Cono Sur Wines.

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White Oak Winery

The pretty Alexander Valley tucked into Sonoma County’s northern corner is quite different from its famous neighbors, Dry Creek Valley (filled with Zinfandel pursuers) and Russian River Valley (teaming with Pinot Noir collectors). There is a hidden, quiet, unassuming quality to the area.  Perhaps this is because the main road is dotted with occasional signs and driveways and most of the wineries are hidden from view.  It’s also a monoculture grape-growing region, so a big part of the area’s appeal is being surrounded by rows and rows of vineyards.

It”s easy and pleasant to get around this unhurried and uncrowded area, yet it’s also an ideal place to enjoy open-air transportation.  Unless you have your own convertible, your choices are a horse-drawn Wine Carriage or a customized Land-Rover called the Vine Rover.

The Wine Carriage takes you through the vineyards and includes a barrel tasting & cave tour at Alexander Valley Vineyards, guided tours, premium tastings and a gourmet picnic and tasting at White Oak Vineyards & Winery, Hannah Winery, or Soda Rock Winery.

Vine Rover Tours offers customized tours, VIP tastings, friendly and knowledgeable guides.  And because I’m a guide with Vine Rover Tours, I’ll introduce you to some of my favorite wineries.

To book Vine Rover Tours, call Jay (707) 838-1405.  For the Wine Carriage call Bret at (707) 849-8989. Both are available year-round as weather permits.

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Nieto Senetiner Vertical Tasting: 8 Vintages / 10 Writers

In April 2011, I was one of ten people invited to Argentina’s very first vertical tasting of aged Bonarda.*  It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience and writing about it makes me giddy all over again.  Even though being the first and getting the scoop so-to-speak that aged Bonarda is excellent, the story that I want to share goes much deeper.

There is no ambivalence about the chosen market position among top Argentina producers: they intend to deliver world-class wines.  They are dedicated to competing against the best of any country and region.  The wine is strictly Argentinean with Argentinean soil, sunlight, history, wine making practices and taste profiles.  Since 1991, when Argentina began allowing imports and exports, certain winemakers set their sights on the international marketplace.  They invested in quality people, facilities and began scientific experiments to root out the best combination of soil, rootstock, growing conditions, wine making and delivery to market systems.  Twenty years seems to be the magic number for these producers for the fruit of their labors has paid off.

One of these top producers, Nieto Senetiner, while delivering many exceptional wines (more posts coming), is a premiere producer of Bonarda.  Vitaculture practices are precise…high altitude (3,100′), cool climate, drop fruit for low-yields and no cover crop to let the sun reflect back onto the grapes.  Then, the real news, they age the wine.

The Nieto Senetiner Bonarda vertical tasting included wines from 2000, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008.  My favorites? 2000, 2002 and 2003; this was the line where the wine had moved into a super-luscious category.  The hue and nose were beautiful and flawless.  2004 was distinct but similar to the 2003 and the 2005 held delightful promise.  In my opinion, the 2006, 2007 and 2008 need to lay down.  After the tasting, I took the 2000 and the 2002 to my table to taste with lunch.  Unfortunately, the 2000 died right there at the table (confirmed by my friend, preeminent wine educator, Karen MacNeil).  This is part of the whole aging experiment that I find so fascinating.  Jeff Mausbach, an American ex-pat and Argentina specialist said that he felt the 2004 and 2005 show strength not shown in the original 2000, so we still don’t know if 10 years is the limit for Bonarda. Parenthetically, after lunch the 2002 was still drinking well.

Current vintages are available for under $30  (750 ml).   You don’t have to be a collector to enjoy this experiment but you should have a wine refrigerator.  Depending on how much room you have, buy 6+ bottles, open one in the near future to see what it tastes like, then open them periodically over a decade.  You can do this with fewer bottles but you take the risk of a bad bottle, so it’s always a good idea to hold back 2 bottles for each year that you want to try an aged wine.  Continue to buy a new vintage every year and soon you’ll have a rare and large collection of aged Bonarda. Look for older vintages at Winesearcher.com.  To find a store near you that carries Nieto Senetiner wines, search at Winebow.

Note to trade, somms & journalists: The folks at Nieto Senetiner are considering taking this tasting on the road, so stay tuned.

* Bonarda wines can be lighter-bodied and fruity, full of cherry and plum flavours, with light tannins and moderate acidity. However with concentrated fruit from older vines, and especially when oak aged, Bonardas can also be big, fruity, dense and tannic wines with deep colour and fig and raisin characteristics. In most Argentine vineyards, Bonarda is one of the last grapes to be harvested. (Argentina Wine Guide)

Winemaker Notes & Awards

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I’ve traveled the world experiencing insider tours of wineries and enjoying the most amazing luscious wine and food extravaganzas.  I’ve sipped with superstar wine makers, had my picture taken with celebrity winery owners and gawked at one-of-kind car and crystal collections.  I love all of it of course, but one thing I’ve learned is when it is all stripped away, winemakers and winery owners want you to love their wine.  It doesn’t matter if it is $150 a bottle, $3,000 a magnum or $200 a case, creating great wine is about capturing magic in a bottle.

I recently experienced magic in a bottle and called the winemaker to find out more.  I was pleasantly surprised to learn that this luscious, perfect wine was made by two brothers whose souls have been intertwined with grapevines their entire lives.  Bulmaro and Manuel Jr. Montes, owners of Marita’s Vineyard were born with the magic in their hands.

Their father, Manuel, starting working for Joseph Phelps Vineyards in 1973 and didn’t stop until he was 90 years old. His son, Bulmaro, worked for Joseph Phelps Vineyards for over 30 years.  Seasoned vineyard managers are considered to be rock stars in the wine world.  And both Manuel Sr. (deceased) and Bulmaro are highly respected in Napa Valley. Manuel Jr., a mechanical engineer and rather famous water witcher (douser) also worked for Phelps.

The fabulous wine that I tasted came from a special bit of microclimate in the Coombsville area of Napa.  Bulmaro told me that he knew exactly what he was looking for when he bought his 2.6 acre bare parcel in 2002­­­­­.  After all, he had access to every vineyard in California when he purchased grapes for JPV.  And after traveling many times to France, he knew that it was possible to make great wine from a tiny vineyard. He called it Marita’s Vineyard after his youngest daughter.

It generally takes 3-4 years for a new vineyard to mature enough to make good wine; as well, the vineyard’s readiness is especially important to winemakers who believe strongly that great wine is made in the vineyard not in the laboratory.  Bulmaro and Manuel’s magical hands are the only ones to touch the vines; they plant, prune and nurture every vine themselves.  Consulting winemaker, Kurt Niznik, is also part of the winemaking family.

Marita’s Vineyard’s first harvest was in 2004 and although Bulmaro bottled it at the insistence of his excited daughters, he never released it.  He and his brother worked their magic with the vineyard for another year, and in 2008, they released the 2005 Marita’s Select Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon. It is sold out except for a few bottles available for library tasting. (Parenthetically, Wine Enthusiast rated it 95 points, pretty amazing for a first release.)

I love touring a gorgeous castle and savoring a meal prepared by a Michelin-star chef but sometimes, when the fanciness of Napa is stripped away, it’s the best experience of all. The Montes family Ranchito is nothing fancy, it’s not a faux chateau nor surrounded by exotic gardens, imported statues and sybaritic fountains.  Unpretentious and welcoming, guests can taste the Marita’s Cabernet Sauvignon with homemade Spanish-influenced food. And it is smack in the middle of the vineyard.

Tasting Notes: 2006 Marita’s Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon

A rare wine that will please experienced and inexperienced palates alike.  It’s complex and interesting, tempting a second sip, and a third until the oenophile is finally satisfied that it is as wonderful as they suspected, and then they just sit back and enjoy the lingering finish and soft yet structured tannins. The non-oenophiles are there after the first taste, giggling and smiling and saying, wow, this is different, it’s accessible…I get it.

$150 Available exclusively from Maritasvineyard.com or at the tasting room.

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Enjoying wine is like quietly watching a sunset, embracing the first warm day of Spring, or cozying up to a roaring fire in a comfortable chair.  Alana Gentry

Recently, Wines from Santorini sent me some Assyrtiko, a popular dry white wine from Greece.  It was a new grape to me and I didn’t know a thing about it. When I smelled it, I thought of warm baking bread. When I tasted it, I was transported to a white cliff overlooking the brilliant blue Mediterranean.  I felt the salt spray on my face and thought of the most perfect light scallops melting in my mouth.  I’m not making this up, for a wonderful brief moment I was no longer in my house.

When this experience happens, wine makers say that the wine has captured the terroir, the sense of place.  It’s like magic.  Maybe wine lovers fall in love with a region or a grape because they’ve seeking to recapture a magical moment. When I met German winemaker Bernard Huber, he described his favorite vintages with the phrase, “it’s like a dream,” now I know what he meant.

The bottle that gave me such pleasure? 2009 San Torini Winery Assyrtiko. They recently changed their name to Artemis Karamolegos Winery. It retails for around $20. Contact their importer for information.  I also enjoyed the 2009 Boutari Assyrtiko More Info & Purchase .

Planning a wine tasting trip to Santorini? Check out Wein-Plus Magazine.  Also, Karen MacNeil’s, Wine Bible provides an excellent description of Greek vine growing practices.

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