Christmas and New Years Day Wines

Well, Christmas and New Years is approaching. The holidays in many ways revolve around having a good time with friends and family members usually gathered around a party or meal. So, it is important that you find that right wine to pair with holiday foods and treats. We have done just that for you with the following list from about.com.

The top five wine varietals to consider keeping on hand for the holidays include Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz, Riesling and a Sauvignon Blanc. Between these five varietals you will be able to handle a substantial spread of different foods. Ranging from appetizers featuring shrimp cocktail (think Riesling) to stuffed mushrooms (opt for Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Noir) to a full course meals featuring turkey (Pinot Noir), prime rib (enter Cabernet Sauvignon), honeyed-ham and all of the fixings - these key varietals will have you covered. Most of the producers featured have wines in the $20 and under category, yet there are a few listed that will catch you at double that per bottle.


Pinot Noir- Give Pinot Noir a go with Brie, goat or Swiss cheese and crackers, veggie trays, stuffed mushrooms, baked ham, turkey meat, roasted duck, and even foods that are heavy on the cinnamon and cloves. Quick tip - skip the fruit and super sweet dessert pairings with this wine. Producers to consider: Adelsheim, Castle Rock, Cherry Pie, Saintsbury, Etude, ForeFront, Sebastiani, Acacia, Fess Parker, Hartford Court, King Estate, Chehalem.


Cabernet Sauvignon- Consider pairing your Cab with blue cheese, deviled egg appetizers, heavy duty red meats, smoked meats, and dark chocolate. Producers to Consider: Dancing Bull, Columbia Crest, McManis Family Vineyards, Louis M. Martini, Rutherford Ranch, Beaulieu Vineyards, Grgich Hills, Robert Mondavi, Pine Ridge, Stag's Leap Wine Cellars, Gundlach Bundschu, Silver Oak, Franciscan, Veramonte, Chateau St. Michelle, Conn Creek.


Shiraz/Syrah - Grab the Shiraz for the smoked or grilled sausage platters, and consider pairing with a roast, ham, salmon filet, and pizza. The Australian Shiraz is noteably fruit forward, compared to a traditional French Syrah - keep this in mind when making your matches. Producers to Consider: d'Arenberg, Chateau Tanunda, Penfold's, Shoofly, Peter Lehmann, Bonterra, Concha y Toro, Jean-Louis Denois, Tablas Creek.

 
Riesling - Pair Riesling with a wide variety of appetizers, fruit trays would be more compatible with Riesling than any of the other varietals mentioned here. Also a delight with honeyed ham, roasted veggies, seafood and spicy fare. Producers to Consider: Gunderloch, Chateau Ste. Michelle, Trimbach, Hogue, Fetzer, Pacific Rim, Dr. Loosen, Tesch, Schloss Johannisberg, Fritz Haag, Hugel et Fils, JJ Prüm. 


Sauvignon Blanc - You will love this herby, earthy refreshing varietal with turkey and stuffing, dishes that are heavier on the garlic, quiche, soups, seafood, and many ethnic entrees. Skip the red meat with this wine.Producers to Consider: Frog's Leap, 3 Stones, Kim Crawford, Starborough Marlborough, St. Supery, Geyser Peak, Villa Maria Estate, Chateau St. Jean, Veramonte, Montes, Pascal Jolivet, and Hogue Cellars.


Be prepared for any get together, gift exchange or office party, with these selected varietals. Of course having a Champagne on hand for New Year's or spur of the moment celebrations, is not a bad idea either.

If you go by this guide, you should be able to have the right wine with the right holiday food to make it a very Happy Holiday. If you would like to contact us with any questions or feedback you can reach us by email.

Thank you for visiting!

Joseph A Jones & The WellLife Team

Top 10 Thanksgiving Day Wines

Well, Thanksgiving Day is upon us. It is always important to be prepared for this holiday which includes grocery shopping for this special day. With that said, it is also important that you find that special wine to  pair with this traditional meal. We took it upon ourself to assist you in finding the perfect wine for this holiday. Here is a list that you can choose from.

1 )  Cherry Pie Pinot Noir 2009 (CA) $49

Cherry Pie - Jayson Woodbridge

Packing ripe, red berry fruit, yes largely cherry, but also carrying a solid dose of blackberry and raspberry along with warm spice, sweet earth and a velvety finish all work together to mark this Pinot with a distinct style and exceptional depth. Vivid concentration, balance and refined elegance all swirling together to make Woodbridge's Cherry Pie picture perfect for serving at Thanksgiving, whether as a hostess gift or the host's poultry pairing pick.

  

 

2) Quivira Dry Creek Valley Zinfandel 2009 (CA) $20

Quivira

Talk about a perfect turkey and all the fixings wine, this '09 Quivira Zin brings plenty of bold blackberry and dark cherry to the glass with black pepper spice. Super food-friendly with lots of fruit, nice structure and a decent price, make this a Thanksgiving Day wine to find.

 

 

 

3)  La Crema Sonoma Coast Chardonnay 2009 (CA) $20

La Crema

The 2009 La Crema Chardonnay is a delicious blend of fresh cream and zesty citrus, a decadent delight from start to finish. Lively aromatics, well-honed acidity, a full body with rich, creamy textures and a powerful palate presence make this reasonably priced Chardonnay a top "go to" wine for Thanksgiving and beyond.

 

 

 

4)  Iron Horse Estate Chardonnay 2010 (CA) $24

Iron Horse Estate

This is a well made Russian River Valley Chardonnay, showcasing all encompassing citrus, green apple and tropical fruit tones on the nose with just a sprinkle of vanilla. The palate profile reveals a fairly full-body, with decadent, creamy textures, and an abundance of rich, ripe fruit. Solid acidity, a well grounded dose of minerality and expressive elegance all work together to make this a must-try Thanksgiving Chardonnay.

 

 

 

5) Smith-Madrone Cabernet Sauvignon 2005 (CA) $45

Smith-Madrone

For those that believe all special occasions call for a Cab, the 2005 Smith-Madrone is the perfect all-American Cab to call on for celebrating Thanksgiving. Limited production, dry-farmed and crafted by two brothers, Stuart and Charles Smith, this Cab is remarkable for its concentration, intensity, overall balance and final finesse. Bringing a truly artisanal wine to the table with a mix of red and black fruit, plenty of power and an undeniable presence, this is a top pick for the holidays.

 

 

 

6) . Simi Sauvignon Blanc 2011(CA) $13

Simi

The 2011 Simi Sauvignon Blanc brings bright citrus zest and daring minerality to the summer table. With subtle straw color coordination in the glass and plenty of lemon-lime aromas floating out of the glass mixed with an elegant florality and down to earth mineral notes, this well-priced Sauvignon Blanc snags attention from the get-go. On the palate, you can expect more definition from the citrus nose - well defined lemon zest, grapefruit and delicious acidity leave clean lines, balance and a crisp, well-run finish.

 

 

 

7) Grgich Hills Zinfandel 2009 (CA) $32

Grgich Hills

Grgich Hill's 2009 Zinfandel is a terrific all-American red wine for Thanksgiving Day pairings, thanks in part to its decisive fruit character, meat pairing versatility and overall balance. With plenty of blackberry, raspberry and strawberry fruit and a dash of peppery spice this Zin brings a medium-bodied wine with pliable tannins to the table

 

 

 

8) Sandeman 10 Year Tawny (Portugal) $30

Sandeman

Ruby red, elegant and complex, yet fresh with an engaging mix of classic, nut, fruit and spice, quite versatile and downright delicious, the Sandeman 10 Year Tawny is a full-bodied Port that is perfect solo or for pumpkin and pecan pie pairings.

 

9)  Tablas Creek Tablas Estate Rose 2011 (CA) $28

Tablas Creek

This California rosé brings a blend of Mourvèdre, Grenache and Counoise grapes to the mix. Expect dark pink tones with some seriously amped up aromatics - florals, strawberry, watermelon and warm spices. The palate explodes with cherry and strawberry, bright acidity and a decent dose of minerality on the finish. Rosé wines offer a unique, extremely food-friendly pairing option, well-equipped to handle the various herbs, seasonings and food profiles that a traditional Thanksgiving table will throw its way.

 

10)  Segura Viudas Brut Rosé NV (Spain) $9

If you are looking to shake things up, then you might want to consider this bright pink sparkler from Spain. You will find a good dose of citrus on the nose and buckets of strawberry mingling with raspberry on the effervescent palate. Good acidity, a surprising finish and a great price make this Brut Rose a perfect pick wine for any occasion.

 

 

 

We hope this assists you in picking that perfect wine to make it a very special meal. Thank you goes out to about.com for this useful list . By the way,  these links can be used to learn more about the wine and to even purchase it. If you would like to contact us with any questions or feedback you can reach us by email.

Thank you for visiting!

Joseph A Jones & The WellLife Team

 

 

Top 10 Holiday Wines

Holiday is upon us. Time for those wonderful meals and those special visits with loved ones and friends.In preparing for these festive occasions, choosing that perfect holiday wine for that holiday meal or gathering friends and family is a must. What are the best holiday wines to choose ? With the help from about.com, they give you a great list of wines to match any event you plan. By the way, these wines are all under $20.

1) Kendall Jackson Vinter's Reserve Chardonnay 2005  (Ca ) 
This Chardonnay is a delicious compilation of fruit and smoke, full-bodied and balanced. Apple, melon and pear dominate the palate and are well supported by a rich, buttery texture. Kendall-Jackson is known for consistent quality, good distribution, and holds a stellar reputation for producing wines that are reasonably priced.


2) Fetzer Valley Oaks German Reisling 2005 (Germany )
The Fetzer Valley Oaks German Riesling is an off-dry, low-alcohol Riesling sourced from the Mosel-Saar-Ruwer and the Rheinhessen, two of Germany's prominent grape growing regions. This is an "every man's" white wine, in that it will behave beautifully with an assortment of flavors, spices and white meats. The flavor profile boasts abundant apple, pear and peach combinations with an enticing semi-sweet finish. Fetzer's Valley Oaks offers an authentic German Riesling, that is easy on the palate, easy on the wallet and is versatile enough to be featured at all holiday get togethers whether formal or informal.


3)St. Supery Sauvignon Napa Valley (Ca) 
Citrus fruits burst to the forefront with orange, lemon and lime defining the palate. This Sauvignon Blanc also boasts a refreshing spirit with lots of spunk - earth, slate and balanced acidity all move within the wine providing ample elegance, familiarity and vibrancy for a festive holiday gathering.


4) Eola Hills Pinot Gris 2005 (Or)
A terrific Pinot Gris for the price and the flavor! This one will catch your attention with the honeyed pears and crisp apple flavor, followed by a refreshing finish. Pair this one with your favorite hors d' oeuvres.

5) McManis Family Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2005 (Ca)
This is a Cab that will "wow" the most discerning guests, especially if you reveal the price paid/bottle! A deep garnet colored red wine with plenty of blackberry and cherry on the palate. You'll notice dominant tannin definition and even a bit of coffee on the finish. The perfect party wine!


6) Rex Goliath Pinot Noir (Ca) 
Named after a 47 pound Texas rooster from the early 1900s, this Pinot Noir offers an undistracted aroma of ripe berries and a hint of spice. The flavor profile consists largely of strawberries and raspberries, with very subtle tannins and light weight acidity. A pleasant, supple Pinot Noir with enough versatility to go with everything from hors d'oeuvres to the main dish and for just $9 a pop you don't have to risk much to give Rex Goliath a go!

7) Yellow Tail Shiraz (Aus)
Can we see "lotsa fruit?" There is a reason that the Yellow Tail brand has done so well in the U.S. and abroad, it comes down to making consistent, quality wines with great distribution and a perfect "party" wine price point. Not to mention that the Yellow Tail Shiraz has good berry fruit-forward flavor, with raspberries rising to the top of the palate and a decent finish. This is a red wine that guests will like whether they are "into" reds or not.

8) Dancing Bull 2003 Zinfandel (Ca) 
This black cherry packed Zin has a spice and warmth that will perk up any table full of holiday dishes, with a special affinity for red meats, boisterous tomato sauces, mushrooms and sausage. Definitely a wine that is made for good times!


9) Beringer's White Zinfandel 2005 (Ca) 
While most oenophiles detest the thought of owning, much less offering a "white zin" at their holiday get togethers, there will no doubt be a fair amount of guests that will drink it with gusto. So, that said, Beringers offers a nice white zinfandel option with good pricing to satisfy the party necessity.


10) Korbel Chamapagne Brut 
Whether your celebrating something specific or just need to have a bottle of bubbly on hand. This is a champagne stand by that is perfect for party goers, the price is right, the taste is good and many guests just elect to have a sip or two anyway.

We hope this helps you in choosing that special wine for the holidays.  If you would like to contact us with any questions or feedback you can reach us by  email.

Thank you for visiting!

Joseph A Jones & The WellLife Team