`Tis Time to Wine and Dine
The holidays are here - and that means great gatherings and delicious wines. Entertain with taste and aplomb with the following picks from the "Simple & Savvy Wine Guide"
BY LESLIE SBROCCO
DISH |
BEST BUYS (UNDER $20) |
LUXURY OPTIONS (OVER $20) |
Appetizers |
Segura Viudas "Aria" Brut Cava, Spain $10 Special because: complex and affordable Spanish sparkling wine www.seguraviudasusa.com |
Kluge Estate, "SP" Brut Sparkling Wine, Monticello, Virginia $38 Special because: made from Chardonnay, it's reminiscent of French Champagne www.klugeestateonline.com |
Turkey |
Dr. Frank Semi-Dry Riesling Finger Lakes, New York $17 Special because: lightly-sweet sipper from one of New York's best wineries www.drfrankwines.com |
Inman Family, Pinot Gris Russian River Valley, California $25 Special because: from naturally-farmed grapes, this wine is smooth yet fresh www.inmanfamilywines.com |
Ham |
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Kosta Browne, Pinot Noir "Kanzeler Vineyard" Sonoma Coast, California $50 Special because: coveted Pinot with power and silky finesse www.kostabrowne.com |
Roast Beef |
APEX II, Cabernet Sauvignon Columbia Valley, Washington $16 Special because: supple and rich red that delivers quality www.apexcellars.com |
DeLille Cellars, "Doyenne" Syrah Red Mountain, Washington $48 Special because: intense and concentrated with smoky notes www.delillecellars.com |
Desserts |
Bonny Doon, Muscat "Vin de Glacière" California $15 (half bottle) Special because: lightly sweet wine to pour with cheeses and dessert www.bonnydoonvineyard.com |
Inniskillen, Vidal, Ice Wine Niagara Peninsula, Canada $55 (half bottle) Special because: sweet, rich dessert wine from Vidal grapes www.inniskillin.com |
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Kimpton Hotel wine expert Leslie Sbrocco's latest book, The Simple and Savvy Wine Guide - a follow up to her 2003 book, Wine for Women - comes just in the nick of time, as wine neophytes struggle to pair the right vino with their holiday meals. |
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| TIPS |
· One standard-sized bottle
of wine serves 4-6 glasses. A
more festive option is to serve
wine from larger magnums,
which hold 2 bottles of wine.
· To prevent party mix-ups, use
a china marker to write guests
names on the bottom of their
wine glasses. Simply wipe off
before washing stemware.
· Quickly chill down a bottle
of bubbly or white wine by
immersing in a bucket of half
ice and half cold water.
· Use small dessert wine glasses
filled with a selection of nuts
for creative presentation
during cocktail hour. |
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