'Tis the season for bringing bottles of wine and having NO idea what you're doing!
For some of us, choosing a bottle of wine is more difficult than deciding what to name our first born. Lucky for you, I've done the research (it was terrible. or not all.) and I have 4 affordable holiday wines that are sure to impress without sending you into debt!
I've chosen 2 whites (1 sparkling) and 2 reds. And they are...(drumroll please)...
- This Chardonnay has been a favorite of mine for quite a long time. It is unoaked, which gives the wine a light, crisp, almost effervescent mouth feel. This is the perfect choice to serve alongside appetizers but it can also hold up well to a turkey dinner.
- This is my go-to Prosecco. It is the perfect balance of sweet and dry (more dry, which I prefer) and it's playful bubbles are perfect for the holidays!
- This Zinfandel is just what you want on a snowy evening. It has the signature peppery flavor Zins are known for, but also a bright cherry note that makes this not-too-heavy red the perfect bottle to bring to Christmas dinner!
- Ah, a trusty Pinot Noir! These gentle reds are crowd pleasers, making them a must-bring for holiday parties. It's hard to go wrong with Pinto Noir (though I've had a couple that have been disappointing) but Rickshaw will never let you down. Plus, they donate 5% of the gross profit per bottle to charity! What better way to celebrate the holiday season?
Now that you have this list, you'll take the stress and guesswork out of wine shopping! If you have a trustworthy wine shop nearby, I always recommend chatting with the employees. More often than not, they will have a good handle on what they carry and, with a little information from you, they can steer you in the right direction. Cheers!