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Christmas Wines
for Holiday Gatherings

The Best Christmas Wines for the Holidays

Holiday gatherings and Christmas wines bring excitement to entertaining. With all of the planning that goes into holiday dinners and parties, the wine list should be kept to a small, well chosen selection that will satisfy all guests. Choosing the right wines for Christmas can be a daunting task! Here are guidelines to help navigate through the many wine choices:

Wines for Christmas Eve – For many, Christmas Eve is the best part of the holiday. Start the celebration with Champagne or sparkling wine. There are many varieties of bubbly on the market in all price ranges. An alternative to Champagne (which is made in France) is Prosecco which is made in Italy in the Veneto region. There are also many wine varietals that are food-friendly and versatile enough to accompany the variety of foods that will be served.

Reds: Merlot, Zinfandel, Beaujolais Nouveau, Syrah/Shiraz,
Whites: Chardonnay, Riesling, Viognier

Reds: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot Noir,
Whites: Gewurtztraminer

Reds: Pinot Noir, Tempranillo
Whites: Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc

Reds: Pinot Noir, Merlot, Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon
Whites: Dry Riesling

Reds: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Zinfandel, Syrah/Shiraz
Sparkling wine: Brut Champagne or sparkling wine

Whites: Sauvignon Blanc, Dry Riesling, Chablis
Champagne or Sparkling wine

Wines for Christmas Dessert – Christmas desserts deserve their own Christmas wines. Save the best for last!

Champagne and sparkling wine can be served with practically any dessert with the exception of desserts that contain dark, bitter chocolate.

Port or sweet sherry both work well with Christmas pumpkin pie.

Port pairs well with dark chocolates and chocolate desserts.

Sauterne pairs well with apple or plum pie.

Christmas wines such as fruity Blackberry wine pairs well with buttery or creamy desserts such as cheesecakes and shortbread.

Tuscan Trattoria Wine Gift Basket

Nestled in a five-quart stainless steel colander is everything you need to cook authentic, savory Italian pasta dinners. Two types of pasta pair well with two classic sauces. Enjoy your pasta with Banfi Col di Sasso, a hearty blend of Sangiovese and Cabernet Sauvignon from Tuscany. Complete the meal with an almond anise biscotti.

This gift includes:

Banfi Col di Sasso Tuscan Blend

5 Quart Stainless Steel Colander

Trombette 6 Colori Pasta

Trottoloni Pugliese Pasta

Imported Tomato Sauce

Pesto alla Genovese

Almond Anise Biscotti

Handcrafted Gifts For Wine Lovers

The best part about the selection below is that they are all handcrafted gifts made for one of our favorite sponsors,

In association with National Geographic, Novica features the finest artisans from all over the world who hand create some of the most unique products including what you see below.

All of your purchases help support these very special artists. Click on any link to learn more about the products and the artists who make them.

We hope you like this selection as much as we do.

The World is Your Market.....

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DeLoach Wine Gift Set

You know the grape variety and the winemaker have a large impact on a wine, but what role does the vineyard play? Taste the difference a vineyard can make in our trio of Pinot Noir: three bottles from the respected Pinot producer, DeLoach Vineyards, each from a different site. Included is the elegant Passion for Pinot book (159 pages, $30 value). A perfect gift for any Pinot lover.

Deloach Wine Gift Set

This gift includes:

Passion for Pinot (Hardcover): A Journey Through America's Pinot Noir Country By Jordan Mackay with photography from Robert Holmes and . 159 pages, $30 Value.

DeLoach Central Coast Pinot Noir The mouthwatering flavors of strawberries and Bing cherries greet the front of your palate and extend to the more herbal tastes of black tea intermingled with spearmint towards the back of the palate.

DeLoach Russian River Estate Pinot Noir Enticing red berry fruit aromas blend with rhubarb and cola. Delicate notes of anise and baking spices lace the fruit to unfold a rich palate of black cherries supported by medium-fine-grained tannins. The finish lingers with attractive subtle toasty undertones, fine acid, and excellent balance.

DeLoach Van der Kamp Vineyard Pinot Noir Offering enticing aromas of cran-raspberry, baking spices, hints of pine duff and eucalyptus, this wine is lifted and bright on the nose. The palate entry brings distinct minerality traced by notes of sarsaparilla, plum, dark cherry clove and pronounced, yet silky tannins which broaden through the finish.