We spoke with local wine aficionados who share their holiday favorites to pour when the variety of dishes on the table might make it challenging to find the best wine to pair them with. So regardless of what holiday you celebrate or whose house you are invited to, you’ll look like a pro with these selections.
Jim Heppel
Jim Heppel is The Wine Room Kitchen and Bar’s wine expert, who brings more than four decades of wine expertise and buying prowess to the South Florida-area beverage industry.
White: Izadi Blanco; Rioja, Spain
This medium-bodied wine has sliced apple, peach and lemon aromas with a bright and clean taste that pairs well with grilled chicken and seafood dishes.
Rosé: Chateau de Berne; Inspiration Rosé; Provence, France
This rosé is the perfect wine for practically any cuisine because it’s dry with fresh strawberry, Provencal lavender, and basil flavors. Serve chilled.
Red: Papapietro Perry; Russian River Valley Pinot Noir; Sonoma County
Its cherry and red-berry fruit flavors make it a perfect pairing with honey-baked ham. Make sure to serve it slightly chilled.
Jacqueline Coleman
Jacqueline Coleman is a South Florida-based wine columnist, writer and consultant. Follow her @historyandwine.
Sparkling: Laurent-Perrier; ‘Cuvée Rosé’ Brut Rosé Champagne; Champagne, France
An incredibly versatile wine, it pairs beautifully with a wide range of dishes—as an aperitif or served throughout the meal. This 100% Pinot Noir rosé Champagne adds excitement and intrigue to any celebration.
Kosher: Teperberg Winery; ‘Inspire’; Israel
This dry white blend includes the native Dabouki grape, as well as other white varieties such as Gewürztraminer, Sauvignon Blanc or French Colombard, for a lovely complement to a range of dishes.
Red: Gérard Bertrand; Clos d’Ora; Languedoc-Roussillon, France
Crafted by one of the premier producers in the region, it’s made with Syrah, Grenache, Mourvèdre and Carignan grapes farmed biodynamically. This sophisticated blend is full of character, making it a warm and inviting choice for a holiday to remember.
Lance Goldberg
Lance Goldberg is the director of wine and managing partner at Boca’s GourmetPhile wine store and market in Boca Raton.
Sparkling: Ruinart; Blanc de Blancs; Reims, France
This Champagne has a good mix of fruitiness and racy acidity. While the acidity will cut through the fattiness of mashed potatoes and gravy, the minerality and honeyed fruit won’t overpower any part of the meal.
White: Dönnhoff; Riesling (2020) Kabinett; Germany
Whether the ham is smoked, glazed or baked, Riesling is a great combination. The wine has a bit of residual sugar and possesses a savory and herbal quality that would also be great with fowl like turkey, goose and game hens, as well as stuffing.
Red: Domaine Jean Foillard Beaujolais-Villages; Gamay (2021); Beaujolais, France
It’s complex enough with its vibrant acidity to pair with the many flavors of the season, and refreshing enough when chilled to 65 degrees to enjoy drinking this all day with family.
Miguel Martinez
Miguel Martinez is the head sommelier at Casa Vigil Miami, an extension of Alejandro Vigil’s Michelin-starred restaurant in Mendoza, Argentina. He was named Colombia’s Best Sommelier of 2021 and has been in the hospitality industry for 20 years.
Sparkling: Recaredo “Terrers;” Gran Reserva Brut Nature 2018; Corpinat (Cataluña), Spain
This wine, from one of Spain’s best sparkling wine producers, has amazing complexity, fine bubbles and refreshing minerality.
Red: El Enemigo; Bonarda 2020; Mendoza, Argentina
Here, you’ll experience violet and peppery aromas with velvety tannins and a complex, long finish in this blend that is 85% Bonarda and 15% Cabernet Franc Grape.
Kosher: Yarden; Cabernet Sauvignon 2021; Galilee, Israel
This Cabernet displays aromatic ripe black fruit with hints of earth and tobacco. It’s a full-body red with dry tannins and a powerful mouth feeling.
