Christmas Spirits: Wine Recommendations

For as long as I can remember, when it comes to pairing reds with traditional fare such as turkey and pork loin at the holiday tables, Pinot Noir and the seasonally released Beaujolais are most often recommended. But this is Virginia; a land where Pinot Noir and Beaujolais are both uncommon. This holiday season, we?ve created a list of fantastic Virginia wines that will not only pair well with your holiday dishes, but also become favorites for year round drinking. The list includes light bodied reds that provide the fruit and finish to accentuate the feasts at parties, whites that please and spark conversation, and sparklings that raise glasses and inspire celebrating any and everything. Here are some of our favorites for the coming weeks:

Red
King Family Cabernet Franc 2011 ? Cabernet Franc is often associated with being bold and full-bodied, but King Family Vineyards has bottled an exceedingly light Cabernet Franc with just the right amount of smooth tannins and a dry, but clean and short finish. It?s often requested chilled for picnics during the Vineyards? summer Polo matches.

Potomac Point Abbinato ? 2010 This Italian style red provides a bit more mouthfeel and spice, but its light nature and clean finish get my nod at the table. At just under $20 per bottle, it?s perfect for serving at parties with hors d?oeuvres.

Rose
Paradise Springs Nana?s Rose 2011 ? Unlike most Rose?s, this one does not assault your palette with strawberry. It has a bit of strawberry and grapefruit on the nose, balanced by a hint of spice. This dry rose demonstrates a wonderful balance of acidity and structure, and is wonderful chilled with spicy dips or served room temperature with fruits and cheeses.

White
Cross Keys Vineyards Ali d?Oro 2009 ? This late harvest Traminette (a varietal based on Gew?rztraminer) has a nose and taste of rich apricot and honey. This is a great nipper after dinner, by itself, or with a slice of pie.

King Family Viognier 2011 ? New as of July, this Viognier smells of fall with scents of flowers, honeydew, mango and a bit of citrus. Acidity is followed with a round, almost oaked chardonnay mouth feel. The wine lingers with a bit of spice, and the body of the wine opens as it warms. Uniquely, this wine is not aged in steel, or oak, but in a concrete egg.

Virginia Sparklings
Virginia has several sparklings, we suggest you start with one of Virginia?s most celebrated sparklings, Thibaut-Jannison; http://www.tjwinery.com/.

What are your favorite wines to enjoy during the holidays? We?d love to know and give them a try!

Source: http://chestermagazine.com/christmas-spirits-wine-recommendations

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