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With the holidays coming up, it's time to start looking at gift wines, as well as bottles to leave behind as host or hostess gifts at parties. We asked a few of our favorite wine merchants for advice on their fun and affordable picks for the season.
Mattie Jackson, Owner and Sommelier of Salt & Vine
Jackson's wine bar and restaurant also has its own bottle shop that offers most of what's on the menu next door, plus a wine club at varying levels. A membership to the wine club is the ultimate gift, but, for a few one-off or holiday-dinner selections, Jackson offers these picks. saltandvinenashville.com
Cleto Chiarli Lambrusco, $20
'Kind of red, kind of rosé, kind of sparkling? Lambrusco's diversity and uniqueness of style makes it one of our favorite wines to accompany a breadth of fall dishes. Unfortunately branded as a poor quality, sweet, and slightly sparking, or frizzante, red wine in the 1960s, today's quality Lambrusco is slowly showing resurrection in American markets. The wine can range from inexpensive and off-dry to vibrant, delicate, and bone-dry. From roasted beets to cured meats, it begs for citrus and salt in any dish. Try Lambrusco with feta cheese, and watch it come to life.”
Chateau Valcombe Ventoux Rouge, $23
'Lying inconspicuously at the top of Mount Ventoux, which is east of the prestigious vineyards of Chateauneuf-de-Pape and the massive landscape of Cotes-du-Rhone, the secret of Ventoux is one to be shared. True to a classic Southern Rhone style, the wines tend to be grenache-driven with supplement from other local varieties. This wine shows consistency, interest, and weight, and explodes with buoyant red fruits and a meaty masculinity. Drink with anything off the grill.”
Will Motley, Proprietor of Woodland Wine Merchant
Known for sourcing value wines that are rarely found on the shelves of many other local wine shops or on the list at most restaurants, Motley also has a strong selection of bourbons and craft beers. Plus, the six bottles for $60 is a steal. Here's what he's drinking this season. woodlandwinemerchant.com
Companon Arrieta Rioja 'Herrigoia,” $14
'This is a Swiss army knife for the Holidays. Inexpensive and delicious enough to pour with abandon from Thanksgiving through your New Year's Eve party. It has juicy red fruit and is such an easy-drinking wine. Plus, it's organic.”
Broc Cellars Shell Creek Vineyard Chenin Blanc, $25
'Chris Brockway is one of our favorite producers. He is a minimalist in his winemaking, and, every vintage, he seems a little more dialed in. This chenin blanc is stunning in every way, from its aroma and texture to its carefully considered packaging.”
Franck Balthazar Cornas San Soufre, $70
'Franck Balthazar is one of the Northern Rhone's top traditionally minded producers. In certain vintages, Franck will bottle a cuvee without any added sulphur, or sans soufre. This wine is very expressive, with amazing elegance and complexity.”
Ed Fryer, Owner of Village Wines
Having quickly become a neighborhood fixture, this location near Belcourt Avenue stocks the shelves with wines that will expand your mind. Fryer and his knowledgeable staff are always ready to help pick out a bottle. Here are some recent finds. villagewinesandspi.wixsite.com
Prime Cellars District 4 Red Blend, 2013, $20
'Ted Henry, owner and winemaker of Prime Cellars, cut his teeth at legendary California wineries Trinchero, Artesa, Jarvis, and Clos du Val. Grapes for his wines tend to come from Coombsville, Napa Valley's newest American Viticultural Area (AVA), which offers a cooler climate than most of the rest of Napa Valley, allowing these grapes to have more acidity and less sugar. District 4 Red is blend of cabernet sauvignon, syrah, cabernet franc, and merlot. Tightly focused, lean and precise hints of vanilla, smoke, and subtle tannins surround the delicious core of blue and purple fruits.”
Scribble Scribble Bella-Boo Muscat Canelli 2015, $30
'One day, Deano Wilson decided to make wine. The result? A fine, bright, fruit-forward, clean, and clear sipper that should come in a five-liter box because it is easier to drink than water. This is a yin and yang wine. It rocks you gently on a terrifyingly fun ride. The best part is that it sips like sweet tea and, yet, can absolutely mesmerize some exotic dishes.”
Copper and Kings Brandy, $65
For a really unique gift, Fryer has picked out his own special bottling of what has been aged in a Willett bourbon barrel. After all, great brandy starts with wine, so a bottle of this spirit will really stand out on the gift table at your company holiday party.