A tasty wish list
Every December, as we stare down the end of the year, we tend to wonder where the year has gone, marvel at how quickly time has passed. 2020, however, is a year that couldn’t pass fast enough for most.
This holiday season, I’m looking forward to safely spending time with friends and family, breaking bread together and popping corks — lots of them. It’s a fun time for exploring new wines, as well as seeking out tried and true favorites, both for serving and for giving.
For help with holiday wine suggestions, I’m joined by Corinne Ryan and Veljko Pavicevic. The dynamic duo behind Sails Restaurant in Naples have eclectic palates and have put together a worldly wine list that is full of small-production, hand-crafted gems from family and privately owned vineyards.
They also lean green by supporting vineyards and brands that embrace sustainable, organic or biodynamic practices, something I too embrace. As we put the lid on 2020, dig into your stash and open something old, look forward to the new (vintages) and just say yes to a wine splurge. Chances are — you deserve it.
Corinne & Veljko’s Wine Picks:
Maison de Montille “Le Jarron,” Saint-Romain, Cote de Beaune, 2014
I love anything from this small producer. This selection is an unbelievable entry-level white Bourgogne on our wine list. Domaine de Montille wines are known for their great aromatic purity. For me, they are very pretty, elegant wines that pair perfectly with fresh seafood crudo to start the evening — or simply to enjoy over good conversation with no food at all. No overpowering oak or acidity, it’s lighter, more delicate in style, and each sip is an absolute pleasure. ($115)
Villa Elisa “Glitter” Satèn, Franciacorta, Italy, 2012
I always start with a glass of quality bubbles, a great aperitif that pairs perfectly with almost everything. Satèn is a term reserved for Franciacorta, which is crafted in the same traditional method as Champagne and can only be made as a Blanc de Blancs from chardonnay and/or pinot bianco. This one is 100% chardonnay, and each sip is like silk given its fine perlage. An incredible value for a 2012 vintage. ($135)
Tabor Adama II “Storm,” Galilee, Israel, 2013
This is our first wine from this area of the world on Sails’ wine list, and what a delight! I always get such great satisfaction from exploring and discovering new appellations. This is an amazing value highlighting the world-class wines from Israel. Definitely a must for anyone who shares my passion for adventurous sipping. This big cabernet sauvignon and petite syrah red blend is bold, with a long silky finish. ($95)
Gina’s Wine Picks:
Bacigalupi Renouveau Chardonnay, 2018
If I’m going to splurge on a chardonnay, which isn’t often, this is the one; its exceptional. The vineyard site in Sonoma’s Russian River Valley is legendary; its grapes were used in the 1973 Chateau Montelena Chardonnay (Napa) that won the famous Judgement of Paris. The third generation of the Bacigalupi family crafted this to honor Helen, the family’s matriarch and winery founder, along with her husband, Charles. It’s crafted with little intervention, native yeasts, is unfiltered, and a true representation of the vineyard. It smells soft, it tastes clean with lovely layers of fruit, minerals and acid. Only 99 cases were made. Grab a bottle while you can. ($82)
Billecart Salmon Brut Rose
I love bubbles year-round but especially during the holidays. Anytime I see Billecart Salmon, I almost giggle in anticipation. This 200-plus-year-old Champagne house has a new release for the holidays, Brut Nature ($60), but the rose always has my heart. A pretty, pale pink that in the right light also has hints of gold, it’s 40% chardonnay and 30% each pinot noir and pinot meunier. It has this wild strawberry mousse that almost dances in your mouth — and it’s definitely a happy dance, with an occasional flash of jazz hands. ($80)
Ehlers Estate 1886 Cabernet Sauvignon, 2017
During the holidays I think of giving, and while many brands give back, Ehlers has always been a favorite. All their profits go to cardiac research, hence the heart configured into the “E” on the label. 1886 is the year the estate was founded. The wine is a beautiful deep color and smells like ripe dark berries. It has flavors of cherry and chocolate with a little umami on the finish. Balanced and approachable, silky and feminine, it’s a wine to sit with and savor, enjoying as it opens and evolves in the glass. ($125)
(Wine prices may vary.)
