Sparklers usually have higher acid levels than still wines and are great options for foods of high acidity (ie., salads in balsamic dressings, prosciutto). Bubblies, as we call them, are great to pair with food and for that reason should be considered a main wine at any happening that has food, including New Year's Eve celebrations. Sparkling wine is typically thought of as a special occasion wine. Since sparklers are great food wines, we give pairing ideas too so you can also begin the evening with some bubbly. With that in mind we developed a list of bubblies that will help make your New Year's Eve fun. While we wave goodbye with one hand, we will certainly hold a glass of bubbly in the other. Only a few days remain until we bid farewell to 2009 and welcome a fresh start to a new year. A Wine Spectator 91 pointer, I would wait at least another year before opening. It needs some aeration time but then the red berry aromas lift up the glass beautifully, while in the mouth loads of spice, black cherry and pepper are abound. Just had it again tonight and it is great, classic Brunello.
This Brunello was aged in oak for almost three years before being bottled in 2005. He has been making his wine since 1989 and is renowned for his Brunellos and Rosso di Montalcino. Gianni is an iconic figure in Italian winemaking. With only 700 cases made and even less shipped to the US this is a wine to snap up quickly because honestly there isn't much around. ($9.99)Ģ001 Gianni Brunelli Brunello di Montalcino. If you like Merlot, try this wine for a pleasing and spicy change.
#Savory grape full#
Warm and dry with pronounced wild cherry and raspberry flavors, this red wine is full of life! The enticing bouquet fills your glass and is incredibly peppery with a clean finish. Try the wine that cured the disease of hunger, "la scabbia della fame!" According to a Greek historian, Annibale, his horses and soldiers were dying from "la scabbia della fame," but once they drank this wine they were cured. ($15.99 for 1 Liter)Ģ008 Pietra Majella Montepulciano d'Abruzzo, Italy. A fun label (see left) makes it a hit anywhere it goes. Rich cherry, gamey and earthy aromas lead to bright cherry flavors and a soft, light-bodied feel on the palate. This Zweigelt is a great representation of Austria's most well-known red. It takes the best qualities of its parent grapes. Laurent and Blaufränkisch (Blue Franc), was developed in 1922 by Fritz Zweigelt. Zweigelt, a hybrid grape created from St. Zweigelt is a red grape, and is the most widely grown grape in Austria. Delicious on its own, it is also great with shellfish, grilled seafood and salads! ($12.99)Ģ008 Zum Martin Sepp Zweigelt, Austria. This fruity, well-balanced, white Côtes du Rhône offers a delicate nose with aromas of white flowers, fresh lemon and grapefruit. (Did you get all that?) Just like the red, one of the main grapes in white Côtes-du-Rhône is Grenache Blanc. It's also from Côtes-du-Rhône, made by La Chasse du Pape, and is a blend of Grenache Blanc, Bourboulenc, Clairette Blanche and Roussane. Whew - that was a close one! ($12.99)Ģ008 La Châsse du Pape Côtes du Rhône, France. A real blockbuster! Believe it or not, in '94 this wine was sold in bulk which we refer to as "vinous suicide." It was "saved" by a US wine distributor who added it to his portfolio and where it has remained a core item for him and us. It has a lovely texture and fuller body than most Côtes-du-Rhônes. The Syrah is from 40 year-old vines, and Grenache is from 60 year-old vines. This is a blend of 90% Syrah and 10% Grenache. When you hear Côtes-du-Rhône, an area in southern France, you should automatically think of Grenache, Syrah & Mourvedre, usually the main grapes that comprise red Côtes-du-Rhône. Seriously! See some of them below, including the Brunello we just scored!Ģ007 Domain d'Andezon Côtes-du-Rhône, France. And we hope to teach you a little to make it less daunting because many European wines are just fantastic. Believe me, I get it! Unfortunately you do need to know a little about European geography to comprehend the labels. We know European wines, particularly French, can be intimidating.
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