What a Sommelier Brings to Holiday Dinner Parties

We’ve all been there: Rushing into a wine shop just before a dinner party, staring down dozens of racks and shelves. You might gravitate towards the default bottle of Pinot Grigio or Cabernet Sauvignon that looks vaguely familiar from that restaurant or your friend’s kitchen. You wish you had a few reliable go-to bottles—something you could reach for with confidence.

First, Bubbles!

Leclerc Briant Reserve Extra Brut 

$70

This is an excellent choice for small dinner parties where everyone can enjoy at least a full flute of champagne. The House of Leclerc Briant owns certified organic vineyards and engages in biodynamic winemaking processes. So if the host is keen on organic skincare, food, etc, this is a thoughtful choice. The Reserve Extra Brut is a blend of Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Pinot Meunier. On the nose, you’ll observe fresh brioche, almond, and aromatic cinnamon and nutmeg. Upon tasting, crisp and fruity notes of pear and apple, minerals, balanced by delightful acidity.

Pairs well with: seafood, lamb, pork, and light cheeses. 

Cremant de Limoux, Côte Mas, Brut Rosé 

$25 

This sparkling rosé is an effervescent alternative to Champagne, made in the same traditional method. It is produced at the Château de Martinolles estate in Limoux, the birthplace of sparkling wine production in France. The blend includes Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc, and Pinot Noir. On the nose, enjoy floral aromas of roses, apricots, and raspberries. Upon tasting, expect a light body with crisp acidity, and refreshing flavors of strawberry, red apple, white peach, and white grapefruit.

Pairs well with: oily fish like salmon and mackerel, and light summer salads.

Next, Juicy White Wines…

Ktima Biblia Chora Estate Pangeon White 2021 

$30 

A vibrant blend of Sauvignon Blanc and the indigenous Greek Assyrtiko, this wine comes from the slopes of Mount Pangeon. The estate is dedicated to respecting the environment; all vineyard work, including grape picking, is done by hand and in compliance with recognized organic farming standards. On the nose, an array of nettle, ripe peach and apricot, gooseberry, and bright citrus aromas. The wine is well balanced—dry, medium-bodied, and perfectly acidic.

Pairs well with: delicate white fish, seafood dishes, a Greek salad, and white cheeses (like grilled halloumi, or phyllo-wrapped baked feta with honey).

Laurent Bannwarth Gewürztraminer 2022 

$35 

The Laurent Bannwarth estate is situated in the Alsace region of France. The estate managers are focused on leaning into Alsace’s unpredictable weather and leveraging what the land offers in any given year, leading to unique crops. This particular Gewurztraminer is a delectable, slightly funky dry white. On the nose, roses, honey, ripe starfruit, lychee, and a hint of spice. Deeper in, it’s completely dry and refreshing on the palate, with lychee and floral notes evenly balanced with acidity and mild citrus and mineral flavors.

Pairs well with: spicy Thai cuisine, sushi, Middle Eastern dishes, roasted pork, and aromatic cheeses like French Munster and Taleggio.

Gérard Boulay Sancerre Blos de Beaujeu 2023 

$70 

This wine is an earnest expression of Sancerre, from one of the region’s most heralded producers, located in the village of Chavignol (upper Loire Valley). The vineyard has been around since the 14th century, when the region was known for red wines. The Kimmeridgian chalk and limestone-marled soil, coupled with aging on lees (a process where the wine rests on the spent yeast and sediment after fermentation to develop richer flavor and texture), lend the wine a bold entrance. On the nose, you’ll find intense herbaceousness and vibrant minerals of Sauvignon Blanc. Upon tasting, it’s a truly full-bodied Sancerre with notes of yellow peach, persimmon, green apple, zesty lemon, and fluent minerality balanced by a high acidity profile. It leaves you with a lasting finish that helps cut through the round, bold flavors of rich dishes, effectively cleansing the palate between bites.

Pairs well with: rich cheeses, seafood doused in a butter sauce, and creamy poultry dishes.

Pewsey Vale Eden Valley Dry Riesling 2022 

$20 

The Pewsey Vale Vineyard in Australia produces some of the most delectable Rieslings in the world (and has been since the 1800s). Riesling can range from dry to sweet depending on the climate in which it’s grown. This particular Riesling is grown right above the Barossa Valley, approximately 500 meters above sea level; the cool temperatures and rocky soil yield a dry, snappy wine. On the nose, classic aromatics of lime, green apple, and subtle floral notes. There’s great length and depth in the mid-palette, with concentrated flavors of lime, grapefruit, rosemary, and rocky minerality, balanced by a fresh, natural acidity.

Pairs well with: shellfish, chicken, creamy pastas, and many spicy South Asian dishes.

Finally, Mouthwatering Reds

Mas Coutelou Les Vin Des Amis 

$30 

An unpretentious red wine from the iconic natural winemaker Jeff Coutelou in the Languedoc region of France. Coutelou is known for crafting reds that are incredibly drinkable, complex, and leave a luscious mouthfeel. This blend includes Cinsault, Grenache, and Syrah. On the nose, red and purple fruit, mildly herbal, and a hint of anise and clove. Upon tasting, it delivers jammy plum and strawberry, effervescence and balanced acidity. This is perfect for those who have a passion for sparkling reds.

Pairs well with: grilled red meats, classic steak and peppercorn sauce, and a dynamic charcuterie board.

Caymus Cabernet Sauvignon 2021 

$60 

A cult classic Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon cultivated by the Wagner family (100% family-run since its founding in the 1970s). This full-bodied red wine delivers a consistently lush experience leaving behind a long finish composed of rich dark fruit. This was one of the first wines gifted to me and I’ll never forget my excitement opening it up a year after graduating from college. On the nose, a medley of blackberry jam, blackcurrant, and cocoa. Upon tasting, it demands a hefty punch of dark fruit, hints of anise, cherry vanilla, and tobacco, with soft tannins and just enough acidity.

Pairs well with: slow-braised beef, ribs, and lamb chops. 

Château Siran 2018 Saint-Jacques De Siran (Bordeaux Superior)

$20 

The same team produces this red wine as the prestigious Margaux estate, offering a taste of classic Bordeaux at an accessible price. The blend features a high proportion of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Petit Verdot. On the nose, you’ll find cherry, tobacco, cedar, a hint of espresso, black-currant, and rosemary. It exemplifies a medium-bodied profile that is supple, buttery, pleasantly tart, and fresh with a lavish finish.

Pairs well with: classic meat dishes like veal, pork, and roast chicken, as well as mushroom and pasta dishes.

Domaine de Ferrand Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2022 

$60

A staple of the Southern Rhône, this bold and expressive red is predominantly Grenache, blended with other varieties like Mourvèdre, Syrah, and Cinsault. Some of the grapes come from nearly century-old vines, which contribute depth and flavor complexity that younger vines don’t typically express. The winemaker, Philippe Bravay, is a fourth-generation owner and takes an organic approach to his practices, including aging wine in concrete tanks instead of barrels. On the nose, ripe blackberries, plums, oregano, fennel, and a hint of pepper. On the palate, it’s a rich, full-bodied, and deep wine with layers of dark fruit and earthy undertones, enhanced by velvety tannins and light acidity.

Pairs well with: grilled meats, duck, and hearty stews.