Tag Archives: holiday wine

Seven things that should be banned from the holiday wine experience

holiday wine
“I know I saw a bottle of white zinfandel in there. I demand to know who brought it!”

No, wine shaming is not OK, and six other things we don’t need when it comes to holiday wine

Almost everyone who writes about wine – whether Winestream or Mainstream Media – laments how difficult it is to do wine for the holidays.

Phooey.

So when I saw this post from Lifehacker, I thought: We need something like that for holiday wine. Hence, seven things that should be banned from the holiday wine experience:

1. Bragging about how cheap the wine was. Even the Wine Curmudgeon is sometimes guilty of that, for which I am always severely reprimanded. The point, or course, is that the wine is enjoyable. Price only matters if someone asks.

2. Bragging about how expensive the wine was. The WC has never done this – but those of you who have done it know exactly who you are.

3. Bringing a bottle of wine to dinner that no one but you has ever heard of or could possibly like — because, of course, the goal is to show you know more about wine than anyone else.

4. Bringing Two-buck Chuck, Winking Owl, or any of the others in the $3 wine reviews to dinner because they’re cheap and for no other reason. It’s a holiday, dammit. It’s OK to spend $10 for wine for the people that you care most about.

5. Wine shaming (see No. 3). In other words, when you see a bottle of white zinfandel or Apothic on the table, it’s not OK to snigger, point to the bottle, and make a snarky comment.

6. Launching into an interminable discussion about wine and food pairings and how you spent three weeks and consulted seven sommeliers to find the perfect wine for this particular holiday dinner (see No. 3 again). No one cares. And why should they?

7. “Taste this, it’s really good,” and making someone try something they obviously don’t want to try. Wine is not a mud pie to force on your little sister, so don’t treat it like one.

Photo: CHUTTERSNAP on Unsplash

The blog’s year end, holiday, and 2022 $10 Hall of Fame and Cheap Wine of the Year schedule

wine gifts
No, these slippers probably won’t be in this year’s gift guide.

Get ready for the 14th annual Birthday Week, lots of holiday wine and gift suggestions, and the 2022 $10 Hall of Fame and Cheap Wine of the Year

Has it really been 14 years? Get ready for the thrills, spills, and excitement that mark the holiday season on the blog. This year includes:

• Birthday Week, celebrating 14 years of cheap wine enthusiasm in the face of tremendous odds and lots of crappy wine, begins Nov. 15.

• The annual holiday gift guide is set for Nov. 29.

• Our Thanksgiving wine suggestions will appear Nov. 19, with Christmas and New Year’s wine ideas on Dec. 17 and Dec. 23.

• The always popular Do it Yourself wine resolutions will post Jan. 3.

• The 2022 $10 Hall of Fame will make its 15th appearance on Jan. 7, and the 2022 Cheap Wine of the Year will post on Jan. 6. As always, email me with suggestions for either or leave them in the comments. Eligibility rules are here. Keep in mind the wine should cost less than $12 or $13, should be generally available, and can’t be a private label sold exclusively by one retailer.

Labor Day wine 2021

labor day wine
Yes, you can pair wine with grilled vegetables. It’s one reason that rose exists.

Labor Day wine 2021 — four wines to mark the end of summer

Labor Day marks the traditional end of summer, so why not pour a glass of wine, grill something worth enjoying, and know we’ve made it this far after a not easy past 16 months? Churro, the blog’s associate editor, and the Wine Curmudgeon will be doing just that, though if Dallas’ 100-degree temperatures hold up, it will be indoor grilling. A little chicken marinated in lemon juices, garlic, and olive oil, perhaps?

These four bottles will get you started for Labor Day wine 2021; don’t overlook the blog’s updated porch wine guidelines:

• Cave de Lugny Les Charmes 2018 ($12, purchased, 13%): This was once a fine, affordable French white wine from Macon in Burgundy, and then the past three years happened. So when I saw it at this price, I snapped it up — should have bought a case. Crisp apple fruit, a little more body than I was expecting, and very clean. Imported by Deutsch Family Wines & Spirits

• Zardetto Prosecco Brut NV  ($13, sample, 11%): I’ve never been able to figure out Zardetto’s Italian sparkling wines. Sometimes, they taste like no one cares; at other times, like this, they’re a step up from supermarket Prosecco. This one is hardly sweet at all, has much tighter bubbles, and more citrus fruit (some orange, in fact?). There’s even a little structure. Imported by Winebow

• Mont Gravet Rose 2020 ($10, purchased, 12%): This French pink is one of the blog’s favorite roses. It’s  much more Rhone in style this vintage, with more fruit (strawberry?) and a bit less tart. So it’s a fine cheap wine — just in a different way. Imported by Winesellers, Ltd.

• Two Birds One Stone Rouge 2018 ($10, purchased, 12%):  I didn’t think this kind of simple, enjoyable French table wine existed any more. It has more more fruit than I would have thought (lots of red berries), but also soft tannins, and balance in the back. This is the kind of wine to buy a case of, pull out when you want wine with dinner, and not worry about. Imported by Wine-Circle

Photo: Askar Abayev from Pexels

For more about Labor Day wine:
• Labor Day wine 2020
• Labor Day wine 2019
• Labor Day wine 2018
• Wine of the week: La Vieille Ferme Blanc 2020

Expensive wine 147: Laherte Freres Champagne Blanc de Blancs Brut Nature NV

Laherte Frères Champagne Blanc de Blancs Brut Nature
Laherte Frères Champagne Blanc de Blancs Brut Nature/$46-$60

The Laherte Freres offers tremendous value for Champagne

Several months ago, The Big Guy called and said, “We have many reasons to celebrate. I’ll bring the Champagne.”

Which turned out to be the Laherte Freres Champagne Blanc de Blancs Brut Nature ($50, purchased, 12.5%) – and which turned out to be a reason to celebrate all by itself. Given that even mediocre Champagne can cost this much, the Laherte Frères is an especial value,

It’s everything that Champagne – the sparkling wine from the Champagne region of France – should be, and especially for those of us who prefer a cleaner, more minerally style. One set of tasting notes calls the aroma “crushed chalk,” which seems to be a bit of stretch. Still, it makes the point about how mineral-driven the wine is.

The Lahere Freres is made entirely of chardonnay, so expect sort of lemon and green apple fruit, with the tight bubbles and almost creamy foam that’s the mark of quality sparkling wine. There isn’t much yeastiness, and it’s more dry than most sparkling wine (the Brut Nature vs. Brut designation). In this, the wine is incredibly complex and structured, and very young. One estimate gives it another 20 years in the bottle, and I wouldn’t argue with that at all.

Highly recommended, whether you’re celebrating an August birthday or want something for later in the year.

Imported by Victory Wine Group

Fourth of July wine 2021

Let’s help the WC find quality cheap wine for Fourth of July

Fourth of July wine 2021: Four bottles to enjoy for Independence Day

The Wine Curmudgeon, several readers have noted, usually doesn’t choose U.S. wines for the annual Fourth of July post. Mostly, that’s because of price and availability. This year, though, I found one — as well as quality cheap wines from elsewhere in the world.

And, as always, keep our summer and porch wine guidelines in mind for this time of year. Consider these Fourth of July wine 2021 suggestions:

• Parducci Cabernet Sauvignon Small Lot 2018 ($13, purchased, 14.5%): Competent, professionally-made California cabernet sauvignon with all the requisite traits — lots of ripe, red fruit (sweet cherries?), soft-ish tannins, a hint of some kind of oak, not too hot, and just enough structure. This is firmly in the New World style, but also tastes like wine.

• Lubanzi Chenin Blanc 2019 ($15, purchased, 12.5%): This South African white isn’t quite as crisp as I like my chenin blanc, but still well done — apple and pear fruit, maybe a little lemon. It’s not soft — just not as crisp as something like the Ken Forester. Imported by Cape Venture

• Spinelli Terre Di Chieti Rosato 2019 ($8, purchased, 12.5%): This Italian pink costs as little as €3 in Italy. Berry fruit, almost savory in what seems to be an Italian style much preferred by Italians, as well as bone dry and a stony finish. Highly recommended. Imported by Enotec Imports

• Poema Cava Brut NV ($12, purchased, 11.5%): A touch softer than traditional cava, the Spanish sparkling wine. That means red apple instead of green and not as much lemon. But well done, and the bubbles belie the price. Imported by Kobrand

Photo: “Happy Fourth of July 2013!” by JD Hancock is licensed under CC BY 2.0

More Fourth of July wine:
• Fourth of July wine 2020
• Fourth of July wine 2019
• Fourth of July wine 2018
• Wine of the week: Domaine Bousquet Sparkling Rose Brut NV

Father’s Day wine 2021

Father's Day wine 2021
Yes, I know I’ve used this picture before. But it’s just so Father’s Day.

Father’s Day wine 2021: Four wines for Dad to enjoy

This year’s Father’s Day wine post finds wine not nearly as bad off as it was a year ago. So celebrate with the blog’s Father’s Day wine 2021. And don’t forget the blog’s wine gift-giving guidelines — don’t buy someone wine that you think they should like; buy them what they will like.

Father’s Day wine 2021 suggestions:

• Villa Gemma Cerasuolo d’Abruzzo Rose 2020 ($20, sample, 14%): This Italian pink intimidated me, what with its price and alcohol content. Fortunately, I tasted it with the Italian Wine Guy, who told me to just shut up and enjoy it. And he was correct: Almost savory, with strawberry and raspberry fruit — a very sophisticated rose. Highly recommended. Imported by Vintus

• Prophecy Sauvignon Blanc 2019 ($12, purchased, 12.5%): Spot-on supermarket sauvignon blanc from New Zealand (and E&J Gallo) that reminds me why these wines offer so much value. Simple, but well made and clean, with a bit of lemon to go with the not too tart grapefruit. Much better than I expected, given the blather on the back label: “aromas of cool sea air.” Imported by Prophecy Wines

• Citra Sangiovese 2019 ($12, sample, 13%): Not quite as well done as the 2017, but still a simple, enjoyable Italian red wine and just the thing for burgers on the grill. Look for cherry fruit, a little acidity, and some spice. Imported by Winebow

• Juvé y Camps Brut Rose NV ($17, purchased, 12%): This Spanish pink sparkler is known for including pinot noir instead of the more traditional trepat, so it’s always a little less tart than other cavas. But always well done — soft strawberry fruit and lots and lots of tight, tiny bubbles. Imported by Vintus

More Father’s Day wine:
• Father’s Day wine 2020
• Father’s Day wine 2019
• Father’s Day wine 2018
• Expensive wine 144: Pio Cesare Cortese di Gavi 2018

Expensive wine 145: Justin Isosceles 2016

Justin Isosceles
Justin Isosoceles 2016/$70-$90

The Justin Isosceles is a pricey California red blend that delivers quality and consistency

One of the many perks of this job is tasting the Justin Isosceles, a red blend from Paso Robles. It’s an example of California wine at its best, an effort that speaks to terroir, a certain winemaking style, and the idea that all California wine at this price doesn’t have to taste alike.

Because the Justin Isosceles isn’t cheap. The 2016 ($80, sample, 14.5%) costs about $10 more than the 2015, so it gives me a reason to be even more critical. Fortunately, the wine is as it always is – polished and enjoyable, combining a powerful Paso Robles style with technique and skill so that it’s fresh and approachable. In this, though, it doesn’t taste exactly the same every vintage, and the 2016 isn’t quite as big as the 2015.

Look for lots (and lots) of ripe berry fruit mixed with some green herbs and an almost menthol sort of thing. There’s a full mouth feel and soft tannins, but this isn’t an overripe, stuff it in your face whether you like it or not kind of wine. It’s not subtle, certainly, but you can take a couple of swallows without fanning yourself.

Just the wine for a Father’s Day gift or Father’s Day cookout – red meat, certainly, and something to to be enjoyed and savored with the meal.