The hectic holidays are upon us, complete with the extra stress of party going and gifting, not to mention entertaining at home. Leave the wine gifts to us! Keep reading for the best holiday wines and spirits to gift (and keep for yourself) this season! We have a feeling you’ll find your new favorite.
The Best Holiday Wines & Spirits
Bubbles
Veuve Clicquot’s Yellow Label Brut reflects the superb vineyards they own and the consistent nature of their House style.
The wine is a brilliant orange-yellow rose petal color with a very fine, profuse and sustained mousse. The nose is characterized by small red berries, mainly currant. On the palate the wine is vigorous and well balanced. A fine, fresh, fruity wine with well-integrated tannins and a hint of spice on the lengthy finish.
Louis Roederer has been synonymous with the world’s great Champagnes since 1776. Brut Premier is the House’s flagship multi-vintage Champagne and its most popular and best-selling wine. It’s the Champagne that sets the house style for this esteemed producer.
The color is an elegant golden straw yellow with amber highlights. Its aromas are radiant, revealing bright yellow-fleshed fruits (apple, pear, yellow peach), honey, floral nuances (lime blossom) and elegant blond notes (brioche and fresh nuts). The palate is seductive, richly flavorful and smooth combining generosity and subtlety, fullness and vigor, followed by a delicately fresh crispiness (fruit with seeds), to reveal the magical balance of Champagne.
Whites
This Sauvignon Blanc is fresh and vibrant on the nose, with aromatics of bright citrus, kaffir lime, orchard blossom and passion furit. The palate is concentrated and mouthwatering, with juicy stone fruit and subtle tropical characters underpinned by a fine minerality and meyer lemon acidity.
The robe is light golden-yellow with light green reflections of good intensity. The disk is bright, limpid and transparent. The wine shows youth. The nose is marked, pleasant, intense and distinguished. We perceive a dominant of complex, crystallized and fruity scents, Mirabelle, Dante plum and honey with a fine smoky touch. The airing reminds and enhances the previous scents and reveals orange blossom and quince. The healthy maturity of the grapes is excellent and provides a clear and distinguished profile. The onset in the mouth is moderately ample and round. The alcohol support is apparent and full-bodied.
Classic Far Niente style with aromas of grilled citrus, melon and honeysuckle with hints of white fig, gardenia and toasted hazelnuts, background of mild toasted oak that adds supportive warmth and richness. A silky entry builds on the palate with a rich texture that continues to evolve. Possessing great structure and length, a sweet core of melon and citrus is supported by white floral and toasted vanilla and baking spice notes. The broad mid palate comes back together with a long bright finish.
2014 was another classic vintage. A mild winter and spring caused an early bud break followed by consistent temperatures throughout the summer, promoting even ripening. They had ample hang time which in turn yielded intense varietal character and a rich texture.
Reds
A dark, scarlet red color, with powerful aromas of sweet ripe cabernet grapes. Initial impressions are fantastically appealing, brooding to expansive textural sensations of finely grained cacao tannins. The whole of the wine is balanced, rich, expressive and impressively complex. The backbone of fine tannin and sweet ripeness is a carry-over from perfectly mature fruit.
Perhaps one of the best holiday wines out there, this bottle contains expressive aromas of dark berries, currants, raspberry sorbet, nutmeg and baking spices. The wine has a rich entry with round tannins and plush mouthfeel with lingering flavors of dark fruit and subtle oak undertones.
The 2016 Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon is ruby in color with a magenta rim. It has an enticing nose of cassis, blackberry, vanilla, sage and spearmint. Upon entry, this wine builds from potpourri and bramble to a bright pop of raspberry on the mid-palate. A juicy finish with chewy tannins and a medium length, it will provide drinking pleasure through 2042 with proper cellaring.
Ruby red in color, 2017 Tignanello offers aromas of ripe red fruits which complement delicate aromas of cloves and licorice; sweet notes of mint and chocolate complete its complex bouquet. The palate is rich and vibrant with velvety tannins. Its lengthy finish and aftertaste bring back aromatic notes perceived on the nose.
Sweet
Bottega Gold is a Prosecco DOC, obtained by the vinification of Glera grapes, grown on the Treviso hills. Thanks to its unmistakable golden bottle it has been defined as the “Glamour Sparkling”.
We can’t create a list of the best holiday wines and not include this bottle! The wine is dry with fine, lively bubbles, delicate pear, and apple fruit aromas and a crisp finish. Whether served at the beginning of a beautiful evening for two or sipped throughout a lively meal with friends, this celebrated bubbly has versatility at the table that can be shared time and time again. The elegant mousse can refresh your palate for the next bite, and the greater complexity and intensity of this Prosecco Superiore DOCG will not get overwhelmed by heavier dishes such as pasta carbonara with shrimp, grilled vegetables drizzled with Italian olive oil and parmesan cheese, or simply prepared filet of beef with rosemary.
The 2019 Michele Chiarlo Nivole Moscato d’Asti is a brilliant straw yellow. Typical floral aromas of Moscato, with notes of peach and apricot. On the palate, the wine is creamy and fragrant, with a pleasant fine bubble and a particularly fresh finish.
Spirited
Aged in small batches for 2 and a half years, this añejo tequila is made with 100% Blue Weber Agave that is ready for any celebration. Simply serve neat in a snifter or on the rocks for a classic and simple drink. Don Julio tequila is produced in the Highlands of Jalisco, Mexico, one of the country’s most fertile agave-growing regions. The microclimate and mineral-rich clay soil allow the blue agave plant to flourish. Unlike many other distilleries, La Primavera only produces ultra-premium tequila that is crafted with the same attention to detail and passion that founder Don Julio González embodied.
An ultra-premium Tequila made of 100% Tequilana Weber Blue Agave. The 8-month aging gives this sipping Tequila an amazing balance, body, and flavor. And each bottle is unique — they’re all painted and made by artisans in Mexico.
Hand-selected oak casks house this Whisky for 21 years. This full-bodied Whisky has an elegant aromatic palette of rich oak, cinnamon, ginger and nuts. Enjoy an everlasting finish and enhance with a dash of water.
Now that we’ve covered the best holiday wines to give and receive this year, don’t get overwhelmed with all of the other gifting options out there. Check out our Gift Guides for Prime Women-recommended gifts for everyone on your shopping list!
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