Holiday Wines For Your VIPs

It’s hard to pair wines with food at this time of year—the December holidays lack the predictive menus of Thanksgiving and anything can come your way—ham, goose, Hopping John, brisket, pastries ... more pastries. FRUITCAKE! So, here’s a guide for pairing wines with the people in your life who deserve a bottle or two. Highly subjective and not at all scientific, here are some ideas for giving to the people who support you, look out for you, train you and basically deliver all the goods all the time.

FOR THE NEIGHBOR WHO TAKES IN YOUR UPS PACKAGES: L’Escarellle “Rumeurs” IGP Mediterranée, a nicely packaged wine in a showy bottle with tropical flowers that portends what’s inside: light and fruit, leaning toward tropical fruits of peach and grapefruit. Fleshy but fresh. Because you ARE still drinking rosé, right?

FOR YOUR UPS CARRIER: Two bottles from Realm Cellars (Napa). “Precious Twin” rosé, a firm blend of 90% Merlot and 10% Charbono that stands up in these chilly months (because, see above note on rosé!), and featuring a cool dragon graphic label that will look good with your carrier’s tribal tattoos. “The Bard” red is a super-concentrated and sturdy proprietary Bordeaux blend driven by Cabernet Sauvignon and plush with ripe black fruits. Focused, capable of staying the [obstacle] course just like your carrier. Another cool label—this one a facsimile of a page from Shakespeare’s “King Richard II.”

FOR FRIENDS WHO THINK THEY DON’T LIKE SAUVIGNON BLANC: Groth Estate Sauvignon Blanc Oakville. A sophisticated version with a savory nose lifted by anise/fennel notes and citrus rind. On the palate, this is medium bodied and round, with a woody warmth, lemon compote notes, lushly tropical fruited showcasing grilled pineapple. Fleshy and generous.

FOR FRIENDS WHO THINK THEY DON’T LIKE CHARDONNAY: Minus Tide’s Chardonnay (Mendocino) is a very delicate and intricate expression with fresh, tart lemon layers, a touch of creaminess and an herbal lift. There’s some evident wood influence, but that’s a lovely soft note, not a defining character of the wine. From Oregon’s Dundee Hills AVA, Archery Summit’s Chard is a pretty expression with buttery tones, warm baked citrus tart and savory notes—elegant and satisfying, showing some Burgundy vibes. Calera’s Central Coast contribution to the category is a fresh, lean, well-made and very balanced wine that is very versatile—from the cheese and charcuterie plate to hearty potato soup. Great value at ~$21.

FOR YOUR PERSONAL TRAINER/YOGA INSTRUCTOR: Bouchaine’s pair of wines in slender bottles: the estate selection of Vin Gris of Pinot Noir (Napa, Carneros), a peachy and guava expression, and perhaps more suited to colder weather, the Las Brisas Estate Selection, a modern interpretation of Old World Riesling, light and tart with mouth-puckering acidity and a bit of creaminess on the finish.

FOR YOUR COOL DRINKING-AGE GEN Z NIECE: Familia de Cerchio, Torre Zambra Vino Biologico Incastro Rosa. From Abruzzo, this is a copper-penny colored peachy and tropical wine blend of Abruzzo native grapes with a little funk on it. A little uneven at first, but finds its footing once open. Kinda like your niece.

FOR YOUR LIFE COACH: Jewell’s Elk Prairie Pinot Noir (Humboldt County) is a smooth and silky glass of comfort without the tug of aggressive tannins, the brashness of in-your-face fruit. It’s a wine that lets you know you’re safely in Pinot Noir land, without the tensions of New World v. Old. This version is fresh, direct, laced with an earthy, not edgy minerality and a bit of iodine. Or, Flowers Pinot Noir (Sonoma Coast). A sleek, approachable wine of ripe, dark fruits with its earth tones peeking in, but in check. Modern and glossy but wise beyond its years.

FOR YOUR GARDENER: Coppo’s Pomorosso, so named for an apple tree growing at the top of the vineyard’s hill in Piedmont’s Nizza DOCG. This Barbera is both an earthly garden driven by rich red fruits and an ancient medicinal herb garden with its eucalyptus notes and proof that Barbera holds its own next to Barolo.

FOR YOUR DOG WALKER: Lang & Reed Rockhound Pinot Noir, Santa Rita Hills. At 14.5%, this is a more substantial Pinot from the Central Coast, both in abv and composition, co-fermented from three Burgundian clones in the Radian Vineyard. It results in a brambly, forest-y, earthy black-fruited pie character. Strong armed—just like your walker on the other end of the leash.

FOR THE TECHNICIAN WHO HAS REPEATEDLY SHOWN UP ON SUB-ZERO DAYS WHEN YOUR HEATING SYSTEM HAS GONE OUT: Forget the wine and just give this guy a good bottle of brown spirits: after hours exposed to the elements, he’s gonna need some fortification.