Contributed by: Joe Roberts
Aged for an average of twenty years in barrel, Dow's 20 Year Tawny Port is an upscale take on this venerable style of Portugal's famous dessert wine. Dow's typical drier style is evident throughout, bringing a sense of elegance to this wine's sweeter, caramel, dried fig, and rum flavors. Aromatically, it's complex, with toasted nut, dried fruit, and herb notes — the kind of wine that has you sniffing contemplatively over several minutes as it changes and becomes more nuanced after time in the glass. As far as Winter warmers, go, this one is tough to beat.
Contributed by: Joe Roberts
Translating roughly to "the beautiful party," Diora's 'La Belle Fete' Rose lives admirably up to its fanciful name. This rose is crafted from Pinot Noir in Monterey, and really shows off the balance and vivacity that this cooler region of California is capable of delivering. With notes of rose petals and cherry, flavors of wild red berries, and uplifting acidity, this is a rose that will refresh, delight, and please a wine-drinking crowd.
Contributed by: Joe Roberts
If you're looking for a distinctive dessert wine experience that brings you close to the depth and complexity of vintage Port, but can't justify spending that category's lofty asking price, check out Dow's Late Bottled Vintage Port. Fashioned on the drier side (as is Dow's signature style), this is full of spice and caramel aromas, along with dried fig and blackberry notes. In the LBV tradition, it's accessible now, but it carries a nice bit of tannic structure for graceful bottle aging (a rarity in its relatively low price range).
Contributed by: Joe Roberts
All-estate fruit from California in a wine that's regularly under $20/bottle? It's rare, but it does happen! Laetitia Vineyard & Winery's Estate Chardonnay from Arroyo Grande Valley is just such a bargain, and it's well worth seeking out if you're a lover of California Chardonnay. Walking a balanced line between rich, peachy creaminess and zesty, lemon-like vivacity, this white is long both in its baked-apple finish, and in the value it provides the discerning wine shopper.
Contributed by: Joe Roberts
Southern Italy is most famous for fruity, full-bodied, and sometimes downright forceful red wines, which often cause its white wines to get overlooked. Which is s shame, because the region's fresh white wines can offer a refreshing contrast to its robust reds. Take Villa Matilde Rocca dei Leoni's Falanghina from Campania as an example. This white delights with its stone fruit and white blossom aromas, and its ample tropical and citrus fruit flavors, all on a zesty palate that's lip-smacking and bright. It's a great palate-cleanser that won't even come close to breaking the bank.
Contributed by: Joe Roberts
By combining long-standing experience in Lodi (their family has been farming in the region since the 1800s) with a lesser-known grape variety, Mettler Family Vineyards has produced a consistent winner with their Petite Sirah. This red packs very good bang for the buck, with robust, saturated vanilla and blueberry flavors, and heady aromas of cedar, smoke, and cocoa. Just the thing for warming yourself up on a cold Winter's night.
Contributed by: Joe Roberts
Almost no wine pairs as well with holiday desserts - or functions quite as well on its own as holiday dessert - as Tawny Port. Aged in barrel for an average of ten years until it achieves its namesake hue, Dow's 10 Year Old Tawny Port is a caramel-laced, nutty, and powerfully mouth-filling example of Portugal's unique fortified delight. And a better match for homemade pecan pie would be very difficult to find!
Contributed by: Joe Roberts
Ready to go big for your year-end holiday celebrations? Piper-Heidsieck's Cuvee Brut Champagne has arguably never been better, and can still be found for reasonable prices. This popular Champagne walks a fine, balanced line between toasty, rich, fruity opulence and zesty, focused, citric-like acidity. It's equal parts fun and elegant - as all holiday celebrations should be.
Contributed by: Joe Roberts
Want to ring in the New Year on a budget? You don't need to plunk down hefty change for Champagne for New Year's Eve bubbles when options like Giusti's Extra Brut 'Asolo' Prosecco Superiore are available. This Prosecco is youthful and fresh, and abounding in lively green apple flavors and blossom aromas.
Contributed by: Joe Roberts
If you're on the hunt for a spicy white wine that can hang tough at the dinner table with salads, white meat dishes, and even some desserts, check out this perennial bargain from St. Urbans-Hof Nik Weis Selection. Their 'Urban Riesling' is not only a fantastic introduction to the floral, zesty, and citrus-filled Riesling delights of Germany's Mosel region, but it's also a crowd-pleaser that feels almost infinitely flexible with food (thanks to a hint of residual sugar, and ample acidity).
