Full Bottle Ahead

December 13, 2011

Site Staff,

Clothes shopping? No problem. You can pour over a rack, snag a label, and pair it with the perfect shoes in 30 minutes flat.

But when it’s time to pick up a wine for foodie friends you’re like a deer in red and whites. Pinot what? Cotes du Who? It usually ends with you corking over too much for an impressive-looking foreign label and praying you didn’t make a grigio mistake.

Breathe. We turned to Brasserie du Vin’s beverage manager and newly-certified sommelier Rebecca Fineman for a list of budget and not-so-budget bottles for every one of your winter events.

Note: We found almost all selections at Tamura’s Fine Wine and Liquor. Individual bottles can be found in various other wine stores.

Overall:
Elio Perrone 'Tas Mor Can’ Barbera d’Asti, Piedmont, Italy, 2009 – $14.79.
This full-bodied wine made the list for every festive meal.

Holiday Dinner
When ham/rib roast/turkey is on the menu, you’re the one who ends up stuffed. Pick a full-flavor wine without a heavy finish to go with everything.

Budget: Chateau Pesquie, ‘Terrasses’, Southern France, 2009 – $15.29

Semi Splurge:
Martinenga, Barbaresco, Piedmont, Italy, 2006 – $47.99
Or Patz and Hall, Pinot Noir, Sonoma Coast, CA – $35.49

Brunch
With omelets, fresh fruit, and other early afternoon fare, lean toward lighter wines with a fruity finish.

Budget:
Botani Moscatel, Spain – $16.79
Or Wolfberger, Pinot Blanc, Alsace, France – $13.29
Or any Prosecco – prices range between about $10 – $14

Semi Splurge: Schramsberg Brut Rose, Calistoga, CA – $33.99

Heavy Pupu
The buffet holds a bunch of finger foods to savor and often a boatload of poke. So you’ll need crisp pours to offset the usually saltier bites.

Budget:
Craggy Range, Sauvignon Blanc, New Zealand – $17.29
Or Lamadrid, Torrontes, Argentina – $11.29

Semi Splurge:
JJ Christoffel, Urziger Wurtzgarten, Riesling, Mosel, Germany, 2009 – $21.59
Or Au Bon Climat Chardonnay, Santa Ynez Valley, 2008 – $26.79