Eat, Drink, & Be Merry!

Read on for food and wine pairings perfect for the Holiday season. We'll cover the eating and drinking, it's just up to you to be merry!

Unlike more traditional Thanksgiving, really anything can go menu-wise at Christmas. 

We selected a few of our favorite wines (that we love to both give and receive, so if you're still looking for that perfect gift and our Gift Guide didn't quite do the trick....) and paired them with some delicious dishes. 

If you're having friends over for a holiday gathering, if you're just spending time at home with your feet up to relax, or if you need a snack to tide you over between big meals, you can't go wrong with wine and cheese. Try Domaine Delaporte Sancerre Silex with some Crottin de Chavignol. 

And once you've had your fill of ham and turkey and gingerbread and peppermint, the Sancerre Silex is a perfect wine for Thai or Chinese takeout. 

 

 

Of course at Christmas time you'll be eating hearty meats. With more traditional holiday fare like tenderloin, prime rib, and rack of lamb pour a glass of Massolino Barolo Vigna Rionda. The flavors are intense, complex, refined, and unique and the color is a beautiful garnet that is sure to provoke oohs and ahhhs from all who drink it. This is the holy grail of Barolo top vineyards. For special times with close family and friends, you need a special wine and this is it. 

 

 

If you're celebrating Hannukah and are looking for something to sip with your latkes, try Champagne Delamotte. The bubbles cleanse your palate and the acid cuts through the oil. Not to mention Hannukah is truly a celebration- a festival (of lights)- so you need a wine that brings the festivity. 

 

 

 

If you're tired of making decisions (what gifts to buy, what time to arrive at Grandma's house, what to wear to the party...), we have a wine that will be the easiest (and one of the best!) decisions you'll make all holiday season. One wine that can start almost any meal off well is Gradis'ciutta Friulano. It's a beautiful white perfect for beginning any dining experience.

 

Finally, while not a food and wine pairing, mulled wine is sure to make you merry! 
Two of our favorites to use are Stark Condé 3 Pines and Padrillos Malbec.
Bon Appétit Magazine and Ina Garten both have delicious recipes. Pick one, whip up a batch, and warm up on a cold night!

Vineyard Dogs

National Dog Day was August 26. In celebration we're sharing some of our favorite vineyard dogs. After all, dogs are traditionally man's (and woman's!) best friend, and we like to think wine is too. 

Tablas Creek: Located just west of Paso Robles in California's beautiful Central Coast, Tablas Creek farms organically and received their organic certification in 2003. Much of the vineyard uses Biodynamic techniques, including a herd of sheep, alpacas and donkeys. These friendly dogs try to keep their other four legged friends in line, as well as welcome visitors to the vineyard. 

Domaine Alain Gras:  over 12 hectares, primarily located in St. Romain, Domaine Alain Gras produces beautiful whites and reds. 

Alain and his two dogs

Alain and his two dogs

Ernesto Catena Vineyards: Fourth generation winemaker Ernesto Catena founded Ernesto Catena Vineyards in Argentina to truly make art. Both the farm and vineyard are biodynamic, allowing for plenty of friendly farm animals and dogs. 

Hamilton Russell Vineyards: Hamilton Russell Vineyards is known for making some of the best wines South Africa has to offer. Owners Olive and Anthony also have some of the best dogs South Africa has to offer. 

Chamonix: Deep in the wine growing region of Franschhoek in the Western Cape of South Africa, Chamonix makes well-respected wines. Winemaker Thinus Neethling has a beautiful dog that makes an appearance at the vineyard from time to time. 

Malbec World Day: Fast Facts on a Unique wine

  • April 17 is officially Malbec World Day!
     
  • Why April 17? On that day in 1853, with the support of Mendoza’s governor Pedro Pascual Segura, a bill was submitted to the Provincial Legislature for the foundation of a Quinta Normal and a School of Agriculture. The bill was enacted as law by the House of Representatives on September 6th, 1853.
  • Malbec has a history dating back hundreds of years. It was served at the wedding of Eleanor of Aquitaine to Henri II. Happen to have forgotten their anniversary? We have you covered. 1152 (over 800 years ago).
     
  • Was once known as "black wine"...for fairly obvious reasons. Malbec is one of the darkest wines you can find. TintoNegro literally means Black Wine.
TintoNegro 

TintoNegro 

  • While you might associate Malbec most closely with South America (and Argentina in particular), Malbec traces its origins back to France and was once the most widely planted grape in the country and found in many Bordeaux blends.
     
  • In 1870,  phylloxera destroyed vineyards in France and ruined the Malbec vines in Bordeaux. This same pest has never taken hold in Argentina. 
Cahors, France

Cahors, France

  • By the end of the 19th century, viticulture had boomed in Argentina (in part thanks to Italian and French immigrants) and so did Malbec, which adapted quickly to the varied terroirs of Argentina. 
     
  • Now Malbec only accounts for about 10,000 acres in Cahors and about 100,000 acres in Argentina. Malbec can also be found in countries throughout the world including the US and New Zealand, but Argentina has nearly 70% of all acres of Malbec in the world. 
Ernesto Catena

Ernesto Catena

  • Malbec vines are very sensitive to weather and pests (like phylloxera). They've thrived in high-altitude Argentina. 
     
  • Argentina is now the 5th largest wine producer in the world. 
MAAL

MAAL

  • Argentinian Malbecs are fruit-forward, plummy, and velvety with prominent new oak.
     
  • French Malbecs have more structure, firmer tannins, an inky dark quality, and are earthier. 
     
  • BOTH have essential Malbec flavors of blueberry, cherry, and plum.