Red Wine Recommendations from Good Wine Gal’s 12 Essential Wines of Christmas Guide - Part Two

Intro to the 12 Essential Wines of Christmas
Good Wine Gal’s Guide to the 12 Essential Wines of Christmas was created (politically incorrect and all) to honor my history and offer up some joy in celebration. My forefathers were immigrants from Hungary, Scotland and Italy. My culture was a solid mix of Catholics, Protestants, Atheists, whisky, food and the occasional bottle of wine. It was a blessing and definitely a mixed bag yet delicious and memorable.​

Why you should read the guide
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​If you read the “guide” you may recall that I have a formula for wines for the holidays – a formula that suggests there are about a dozen bottles that are essential to capture the main celebrations. The last blog post shared red wine recommendations that bring comfort. This post recommends wines that bring joy! It also pays tribute to the great meals and noshing occasions that require the perfect bottle of wine to accompany the flavours and fun.​

Mix of Wines of the Holidays Formula
Good Wine Gal’s recommends mix of bottles:
• Bubbles (x 3)
• White Wine (x 3)
• Red Wine (x 6)
​• Port – don’t forget​

Wine Occasions that bring Joy!

Christmas Eve
Christmas Eve Glühwein (glue-vine) is a warming treat that is only genuinely consumed at this time of year. Glühwein calls for quality wine that can be heated and treated with spices. Don’t let it boil! 20 minutes of warming and it should be good to go. Ladle into small cups or double layered glasses and sip.

International: 

• An international wine option for Glühwein is Tollo Rosso in the one litre (1L) size ($13). It’s a great price and good quality wine too.

British Columbia: 

• Grab a bottle of Desert Hills Cactus Red ($20)
• Or maybe Cliffhanger Red from Moraine ($22)

Christmas Day
Christmas Day is not just for whites. For some wine lovers, red wine with turkey is the only option. It all comes down to flavour. Try Pinot Noir. Whether from France or BC, Pinot Noir has a freshness and savoury quality with a little less alcohol that suits a flavourful beast, stuffing, gravy and roasted veggies being served to a tea.

International: 

• A super fine choice is Burgundy’s Domaine AF Gros 2017 Hautes Cotes de Nuits Rouge ($68)
  
• Or flavourful Northern Italian Travaglini 2012 Gattinara Riserva ($75)

British Columbia:

• Arrowleaf Zweigelt ($25) is a fantastic style, underrated and great value with big flavour.
  
• If you want elegant with earthy, savory aromas and flavours try Joie Farm 2014 “en Familie” Reserve Pinot Noir ($50) or my non VQA BC Pinot Noir favourite called Carson ($50) from Chris Carson, winemaker at Meyer Family.

New Year’s Day
New Year’s Day red wine is open to interpretation! The only requirement – it has to go with that beautiful Prime Rib Roast. Despite your late start to the day and your considerable fatigue, this is the first day for the rest of your life - so make it count.

International: Think big structured reds (alcohol, acidity, tannin, and flavour) from Bordeaux! Remember – left bank is based on blends with Cabernet Sauvignon and right bank is blends with Merlot (a bit rounder and softer).  Decanting is always a great idea with styles from this region.

• Try Left bank Chateau D’Armailhac 2016, Pauillac ($112)
• Right Bank Chateau La Fleur de Gay 2015, Pomerol ($182)
• Or - how about something Italian say from Tuscany - Canalicchio di Sopra 2017 Rosso di Montalcino ($50)

British Columbia: Not to be outdone by Fancy France, BC has some great styles of beautiful big, bold reds. Consider these choices and there are many:

• Clos du Soleil’s 2015 Signature from the Similkameen Valley - a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot ($48)
• Culmina’s 2013 Hypothesis from the Golden Mile – a blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc ($53)
• Black Hills 2017 Nota Bene from Black Sage Bench – even parts Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot with Cabernet Franc ($68)
• Painted Rock’s 2016 Red Icon from Skaha Bluffs in Okanagan Falls – a blend of Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec, Petit Verdot and Cabernet Sauvignon ($64)
• Mt. Boucherie’s 2016 Summit Reserve – Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc ($51)
• If you still need more tempting you won’t want to miss Checkmate’s 100% Merlot Silent Bishop or Black Rook ($98)

How the Guide Works
When you click the International and non-VQA wine recommendation links, you will be taken to a shopping cart at Marquis Wine Cellars. With the first click, you will see the bottle and the discount in the cart. You can add as many bottles as you like (minimum is 12 for the Good Wine Gal 10% discount) and complete the transaction by filling in the details on the Marquis website. Free delivery is offered to customers in the Vancouver area.

When you click the BC VQA Wine link, you will be taken to the Swirl Wine Shop. With the first click you will arrive on the Swirl website and then enter the name of the wine into the search bar. You can continue shopping, adding to the shopping cart. Once you have six (6) bottles or more you will automatically receive the Good Wine Gal 10% discount. Free delivery is offered to customers in the Vancouver area.

​Conclusion
Will you shop online? Has this blog helped you get organized for the festive holiday season? I hope so. At the end of the day, life is what we make it. During the holiday season, we can count on tradition and celebration, knowing that family is at the heart of it all. Sometimes road blocks appear and challenges rise up, but the human spirit is strong and as a community we can help each other, and that is a true gift. So here is my gift to you and yours. I hope the 12 Essential Wines of Christmas recommendations add to the quality of your holiday season. From my wine loving heart to yours – Happy Everything!