Holiday Pairing Guide from the Experts at Stave
The holiday season is upon us and with it comes a spike in “mingling” whether it be an office party, white elephant exchange or photos with Santa Claus. We will leave the ugly Christmas sweater selection to you, but when it comes to perfectly pairing wines with every course of your holiday meal, the team at Stave Wine Cellar has you covered.
APPETIZERS & SAVORY SNACKS
WINE: Filip Pato, Brut Rosé, 3B, from Beiras, Portugal
PAIRING: Pato crafts this festive sparkler from grapes grown south of Porto. With red fruit aromas and a fresh, lively finish, this pairs well with a variety of savory snacks. Cheese and charcuterie boards are easy options, but don’t be shy about pairing with your favorite sushi platters, or game day classics like wings, nachos and jalapeño poppers.
SALADS (Green or Grain)
WINE: 2021 Les Héritiers du Comte Lafon, Mâcon-Villages, from Burgundy, France
PAIRING: The Domaine Comte Lafon is famed for opulent Meursaults that cost hundreds of dollars, but we adore the fresh, relative bargains they craft from fruit in the Mâconnais. Green apples, honey, and white flowers are in abundance in this refreshing white, which pairs well with green salads where add-ins like toasted pumpkin seed, roasted delicata squash, or hearty farro play supporting roles.
MAINS
WINE: 2022 Trediberri, Barbera d’Alba from Piedmont, Italy
PAIRING: Trediberri is one of the up-and-coming superstars of Piedmont and this supple, warming red from the Barbera grape is the perfect introduction to the house style. Pair this red-fruit and spice-scented wine with a brick oven pizza, or your favorite pasta in a pork ragout.
DESSERTS
WINE: Rare Wine Company, Boston Bual from Madeira, Portugal
PAIRING: Toasted nuts, salted- caramel, and green mango are just some of the exotic aromas and flavors you’ll find in this opulent sweet wine from the beautiful island of Madeira. Pair with a simple plate of nuts and dried fruit or try it with pumpkin or pecan pies for a mind-altering experience. Don’t be worried about wasting wine once you open the bottle as Madeira is the only wine that won’t oxidize once opened. Keep it cool and corked and you’ll be able to enjoy a sip at your leisure over the course of several months!
SPLURGE WORTHY BOTTLES
Choosing bottles for the wine lovers in your life can be a daunting experience, but bottles like these will elicit oohs and ahs from even the most jaded sommeliers:
- Bérêche & Fils, Champagne Brut Réserve – Champagne, France
The brothers Bérêche craft some of the most sought-after grower Champagne on the planet, and the Brut Réserve is their calling card. A blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier, this combines opulence and elegance. If you’re lucky enough to find this in the wild, don’t hesitate to pounce.
- Eyrie Vineyards, Pinot Meunier – Dundee Hills, Oregon
Eyrie’s Dick Lett was one of the first viticulturists to plant Pinot Noir in Oregon’s Willamette Valley back in 1965. In the late-80s he was the first to plant Pinot Meunier, and today his son Jason is producing this remarkably elegant wine from those plantings. Don’t let the pale ruby hue fool you, this wine is loaded with character.
- La Croix de Ducru-Beaucaillou – Saint-Julien, Bordeaux
The second wine of the famed Château Ducru-Beaucaillou, La Croix is a roughly 50/50 blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot that punches well above its weight. Look for the friendly 2019 bottling if you can find it, a wine we’ve enjoyed with everything from simple bacon and Gruyère burgers to hearty slow-braised short ribs. Cellar tip, this wine will age effortlessly for a decade at minimum.
All these wines can be purchased at various wine shops throughout the U.S., as well as Pebble Beach Resorts’ Stave Wine Cellar.