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How to Pick the Perfect Wine Host Gift
Big Bold Red
There are few wines more wintery than a big, bold bottle of hefty red wine. Full-bodied, tannic reds are not only sumptuous, but they also pair beautifully with heartier proteins from brisket to a Christmas ham. And something about them just warms the soul and makes you want to crawl up under a blanket with a glass next to the fireplace.
Our Picks:
Winter Whites
So many wine drinkers associate whites with summer. We couldn’t disagree more—and, yes, you should drink white long after Labor Day and truthfully year-round. Sure, some of the zippier, refreshing poolside sips are better suited for the dog days of August. But a round, rich white wine or a crystalline Riesling is hard not to love this time of year.
Our Picks:
A Darker Shade of Rosé
While some people may be quick to put away their whites come fall, even more keep their rosé drinking for the summer months. This is a mistake, and you can prove it by surprising your host with the perfect pink wine for snowy season. Aim for a dry rosé with a darker hue—these fuller-bodied rosé wines will be more gastronomic and wintery, serving a similar role to a light red.
Our pick:
Celebratory Sparkling
Holiday season is sparkling season, and there is no more joyous way to ring in the New Year than with a great bottle of bubbles. For so many wine lovers, Champagne is the official wine this time of year. But for the more adventurous host, consider gifting something more off-the-beaten track, like Lambrusco, English sparkling wine, or South African Cap Classique.
Something Sweet
All too often overlooked, dessert wines are almost always the sleeper hit of any party. The Brits have a long tradition of enjoying Port and other fortified wines for the holiday season, and their soft spice and brandied finish pair gorgeously with wintery desserts. So too would something more exploratory like Passito di Pantelleria from Sicily, Cypriot Commandaria, or Rutherglen Topaque or Muscat from Australia.
For more ideas to match any occasion, check out our new Vinalia Guide to Gifting!
