This holiday season level up your wine pairing and impress your family and friends with your skills. Master Sommelier and local wine merchant Virginia Philip is here to help you by sharing her favorite wines to pair with classic holiday dishes.
Appetizers
Whether you kick off your celebratory meal with mini brie tarts or deviled eggs, Philip recommends starting with bubbles:
Gran Moraine Brut Rosé Sparkling Wine, Yamhill-Carlton, Oregon, N.V. @ $55
This brut Rosé is a real knock out with a blend of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.
Entrées
Households celebrate with different main courses, so wines need to compliment that variety without becoming overpowering. Philip is drawn to Grenache for its medium body that has just enough fruitiness and subtle tannins to enhance the food’s flavors:
Yalumba Bush Vines Grenache, Barossa Valley, Australia, 2018 @ $20
Made from 100% Grenache this wine has aromas of red fruits and dark cherries, and a rich concentrated palate.
Domaine du Gour de Chaulé Gigondas, Southern Rhône, France 2018 @ $42
A blend of Grenache, Syrah and Mourvedre, it has intense aromatics of red raspberry and licorice with complex flavors of raspberry, cherry, tobacco and orange peel.
Desserts
From apple pies to gingerbread cookies, desserts are a staple of the holidays so pair them with a lighter wine with bright fruits and low alcohol:
La Spinetta Moscato D’Asti “Biancospino” Piedmont, Italy, 2021 @ $25
Fresh and elegant, this delicious sparkling wine has notes of white flowers and peach on the nose, with a hint of almond on the finish.
Virginia Philip Wine Spirits & Academy; 340 Royal Poinciana Plaza, Palm Beach; 561/557-4202; virginiaphilipwineandspirits.com
