Splurge Worthy Holiday Wines
by Allisun Groat, Tastemaker in Residence - -all wines imported from Wilson Daniels and mostly available in all 50 states.
I don’t need to say it, but I will. 2020 has been brutal! We all deserve something a little extra, so why not some amazing vino? I would say quality over quantity is the best bet for maintaining health and safety. Here are 10 wines I’d deem splurge-worthy but still in line with a more moderate budget (all under $100 and in no particular order or vintage).
Domaine de Beaurenard Châteauneuf-du-Pape Red, Rhone, France ($61.99 SRP) Velvety soft, balanced red fruit and super approachable for a wine that often needs some additional bottle time. Biodynamic, organic, and 7 generations family-owned and operated, this is one of the more special wineries in the Rhone – and they use all 13 varietals of the appellation.
Schramsberg Blanc de Blancs, North Coast, California ($39.99 SRP) A familiar favorite, it wouldn’t be the holidays without a little Schramsberg in your glass. Super fresh Meyer lemon with some sugar cookie and a little toast. Owned by the Davies family since the 1960s, they use only the best Chardonnay (and Pinot Noir in their other offerings; Blanc de Blancs means 100% Chardonnay) in California.
Mas la Plana Cabernet, DO Penedes, Spain ($99.99 SRP) Graceful, polished, and a bright old-world style with red currants and earth. The Torres family was the pioneer for Cabernet in the Penedes region and make some of the best in the world from their Estate vineyards. This one stands out.
Chateau du Moulin-à- Vent, Moulin-a-Vent, Beaujolais, France ($37.99 SRP) Named for the first Cru to be named in Beaujolais, Moulin-a-Vent, where the wines show more depth and intensity than other parts of the region. Floral notes rose and violet with dark fruit and spice. Lovely.
Val di Suga Brunello, Tuscany, Italy ($67.99 SRP) The vineyards of Val di Suga span into three historic zones in Brunello and their flagship is intense with blood orange, silky tannins, and bright acidity. Wonderful with pretty much anything you’d serve on your holiday table and this wine only gets better after pouring it into your glass. Savor.
Arista Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley, California ($67.99 SRP) Rich and flavorful Russian River appellation Pinot Noir with all of the things we love about it – a little spice, some “forest-floor”, intense fruit, and some grip. Looong finish.
Château Clarke, Listrac-Medoc Bordeaux ($61.99 SRP) Merlot and Cabernet work together here to make a structured and complex wine with a lot going on – black cherry, licorice, velvety tannin – but all in balance. 70% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon.
Chêne Bleu Abelard, Rhone, France ($89.99 SRP) One of my favorites, Chêne Bleu (Blue Oak, en français) produces a powerful Grenache and Syrah from the best of the Northern and Southern Rhone that is always delightful. And in all your spare time at home can you find the five bunnies hidden on the label?
Champagne Gosset Grande Rose, Ay, France ($82.99 SRP) If you don’t love Champagne, I don’t totally get it, but you should after this. Gosset wines don’t go through malolactic fermentation (the thing that makes Chardonnay buttery, if you will), so they’re crisper than the others and they also only source their grapes from grand and premier cru vineyards which means the best. Gorgeous notes of strawberries and tiny bursty bubbles. Soooo good.
Kumeu River Estate Chardonnay, New Zealand ($36.99 SRP) Only one white wine is listed here and it’s amazing – from the northernmost tip of the North Island, the Brokovitz family makes amazing Chardonnays that rival any Burgundy. A little richness on top of bright acidity (lime!) and super balanced. And it’s in a screw-top (we in the biz refer to it as “stelvin”) so you can dig right in.
-all wines imported from Wilson Daniels and mostly available in all 50 states.