All In-Store Saturday Tastings are from 2 to 6pm
If you’re weighted down by Christmas wine anxiety, you’re not alone. Picking the right bottles for the holiday can be more stressful than cooking the meal. Relax. Following a few simple rules, or choosing from your list of favorites will help you make it to 2020 with minimal frustration and maximal ease.
Work the numbers. You’ll need at least one bottle per adult guest and several in reserve. Running out of wine would be as bad as running out of food. Chances are you’ll need those additional bottles, and your holiday season has begun so you are confident those extra bottles will be shared in the near future.
Don’t spend more than $25 per bottle. Pouring an expensive, bold wine at a noisy Christmas table is a mistake, that happens all too offen. Too many beloved, traditional dishes— sweet potatoes with or without marshmallows, stuffing, pecan pie, stuffed shells—kill the subtleties or complexities of the wines. And, usually, no one at a large, boisterous gathering will pay much attention on such wines that they deserve. Remember, your aunt may put ice cubes in her glass, try not to cringe! Everyone enjoys wines in a different way. There is a time and place for every wine, especially at holiday gatherings.
Opting for a Crémant from the Loire Valley is a great low-cost, high quality bubbles, made from the Chein Blanc grape, to serve at the beginning of the meal. A beautiful Viognier pairs perfectly with the salads and of course the first choice in red wines is the Pinot Noir grape. But this year why not try something deliciously different? A Dolcetto from the Alba region of Italy offers a rich, round, soft and fruity flavor profile. It nearly always has a deep ruby and purple color and intriguing aromatics of cherries, plums and spice. Some of your guests will not want to be so adventurous, so always pick up a Cabernet Sauvignon for those guests that prefer a larger, bolder wine.
Serve the wines buffet-style, so everyone can pick and choose. Encourage people to experiment, dump what they don’t like in a bucket and explore new styles. Wine conversations are far more entertaining than political shouting matches—and a great way to divert a relative’s inquisition as to why you’re still single or when you’re going to have children.
Savor the meal. Savor the moments. Happy Holidays.
We have been in business at this location since 1985, providing the best selection of wine in the western suburbs. Our store has been featured in the Wall Street Journal, and has been a past “Wine Store of the Year” selection. We pride ourselves on friendly and knowledgeable service, whether you are selecting an inexpensive wine for a simple dinner, purchasing select wine as an investment, or choosing wines for a special event.