But what will fill our glasses as we celebrate?
With the many different dishes prepared in homes across South Florida, we’ll need a diverse selection of wines. For a lineup that’s sure to satiate every palate at the table, following are suggested old and new world wines from Europe and the United States that’ll pair just perfectly with your holiday cheer.
France
(Maison Trimbach)
Trimbach's classic riesling is a dry wine from Alsace, France.
Maison Trimbach Riesling, 2019
Alsace, France
“I don’t want to drink a sweet wine!”
That’s a common complaint that arises when someone mentions pouring a glass of riesling. But the reality is, not all rieslings are sweet – and this one definitely is not.
Alsace is a region in northern France that has changed hands between France and Germany several times throughout modern history. Several of the grapes that grow well here are found across the border in Germany as well, including riesling.
Trimbach is a classic Alsatian producer making a very classic, dry style of riesling that will please any members of the “no sweet riesling!” crowd. This wine offers plenty of fruit flavors like green apple, pear, citrus and peach. Medium-bodied and intense with searing acidity, Trimbach Riesling makes for a perfect complement to many meals. Pair it with chicken casseroles, grilled fish, anything with goat cheese, and veggies, too. $22.99 at Total Wine
Italy
(Famiglia Pasqua)
Amarone is a powerful and vibrant wine that goes well with heavier dishes like meat and hearty pastas.
Famiglia Pasqua Amarone della Valpolicella DOCG, 2017
Veneto, Italy
Amarone is one of Italy’s wine delicacies, and the Pasqua family does it so well. This rich, full-bodied wine is made from red grapes that have been dried out before they are pressed, giving the wine a concentrated flavor of dried red berries, fig, plum and spices.
Amarone della Valpolicella has silky tannins with high acidity and can be aged for years. It should be served in larger glasses to allow the wine to breathe and showcase all the complex aromas and flavors as it opens. Some may call Amarone an introspective wine because it really gets you thinking, but it’s also the perfect accompaniment to slow-cooked meats, stews and heavier, red-sauced pasta. $61.99 at Wine.com
Spain
Lustau Manzanilla Papirusa
Andalusia, Spain
Ah, sherry – it’s not just your grandmother’s drink! This fortified wine is making a comeback, and for good reason. Sherry can be a bone-dry wine and a delightful match for many foods; it's also a perfect prelude to a night of feasting.
Sherry is made in the wine region of Jerez in southern Spain, which includes the towns of Jerez de la Frontera, Sanlúcar de Barrameda and El Puerto de Santa María. It can be the sweetest wine in the world, like Pedro Ximénez, or the driest, like this Manzanilla.
Manzanilla sherry is made from palomino grapes and aged under a layer of yeast called flor. This sherry is produced exclusively in Sanlúcar de Barrameda, a town near the sea. The salty breeze is said to influence the wine with a distinctive, clean salinity as part of its character. Manzanilla is refreshing with racy acidity, brioche flavors from the yeast, citrus and a touch of almond. Serve chilled and pair with seafood dishes or tapas such as jamón and Manchego cheese. $19.57 at MrDWine.com
Austria
Prieler Johanneshöhe Blaufränkisch, 2019
Burgenland, Austria
You may be thinking, “What’s Blaufränkisch?” Affectionately called “blau” by its adoring fans, this grape was originally discovered in Austria, but you may see it on other labels as “Lemberger” from Germany, or from regions like the Finger Lakes in New York or Washington state. This is a black-skinned grape that’s also linked as a parent to another Austrian grape, zweigelt. Blaufränkisch wines are typically medium-bodied with flavors of blackberry, black cherry, dark chocolate and spices.
Prieler Blaufränkisch shows those classic flavors in a smooth, rounded wine with medium-high acidity and a bit of a rustic character. Pair this unique Austrian wine with roasted lamb or sausage, a peppery meat or vegetable dish, or smoked pork. Of course, any spiced or cheesy dish with Austrian or German heritage would also be a match. $21.99 at Wine.com
United States
Silverado Vineyards Estate Grown Cabernet Sauvignon, 2019
Napa Valley, California
It’s hard to beat the warmth of a Napa cabernet around the holidays. These luxurious wines from one of the best-known regions in the U.S. are sure to put a smile on the faces of your holiday guests.
Silverado Vineyards is in the Stags Leap District of Napa Valley. It was one of the first four wineries to plant cabernet sauvignon in this area in the 1960s, and the winery was established in 1981 to make wines from these vines.
The estate-grown cabernet sauvignon is bursting with blueberries, ripe cherry, plum and baking spices on the nose. It’s a full-bodied, robust wine with velvety, integrated tannins and a long finish full of rich fruits and spices.
A big wine deserves a big feast. Save this cabernet for a hearty pot roast, beef tenderloin or rich beef Wellington. For veggie-only eaters, pair something like a vegan shepherd’s pie or mushroom pasta with this delicious, comforting wine. $60 at Wine.com
1 of 3
(Lustau)
Manzanilla sherry should be served chilled and pairs easily with a variety of holiday meals.
2 of 3
(Jacqueline Coleman for Biscayne Times)
Prieler Blaufränkisch is a unique Austrian wine sure to excite adventurous tipplers.
3 of 3
(Silverado Vineyard)
Silverado Vineyards cabernet sauvignon would be a good match for herbed mushrooms and pecorino risotto, or any red meat dish.