The Millennial's Guide to Wine Pairings
It's the holidays and you've come to a time in your life where you are battling the internal struggle of new adulthood. Grown up enough to attempt to throw a party but not experienced enough to have any real idea how to throw a classy, fun, and affordable one, what's a broad to do? Here's a fun idea : Wine Tastings.
Cue happy dance*
I reached out to licensed sommelier and strategic marketing associate, Tess Bettler for her recommendations for wine beginners. Now I know some of y'all are screaming " I'M NO BEGINNER! I know red from white". More power to ya squirrel friend. If cheap ros'e is your thing, nobody deserves to tell you otherwise. However, if you are interested in learning a thing or two, I invite you to read this nonetheless, you may find some little nugget woth your while.
White Wine
All right y’all, let’s keep it crisp here. Don’t you DARE grab that bottle of Barefoot Chardonnay (but you can if it’s really your jam). Instead, why not live on the bougie side and grab an icy cold bottle of white Bordeaux? Don’t freak out! The white wines of Bordeaux aren’t as popular, so they’re not nearly as expensive. They all have Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon in them, so they’re light and crisp, but a little buttery tasting. It’s the perfect balance of tart and smooth. My favorite bottle is Chateau La Freynelle, which typically runs you about $13 per bottle. At that price, you really can’t go wrong. If you can’t find that one where you live, don’t worry; I’ve never had a bad white Bordeaux. Don’t spend more than $20 on a bottle, though, because the true gems are even cheaper!
Red Wine
Ok, red wine is hard, I know. So many options, so many tastes, and sometimes way too much money. Stick with a classic. Pinot Noir. I say avoid the California and French bottles, as they can get expensive. Instead, look to our friends in Willamette Valley, Oregon. These gems are fruity, juicy, and have a sophisticated finish.
Oh man, am I jazzed about this next wine. This was one of the first wines that I truly fell in love with, and to this day I can’t resist picking up a bottle (or 3) whenever I see it in stores. I am talking about, of course, Stoller Pinot Noir. Stoller is a hidden gem if ever I’ve seen one. It usually sells for about $20 in America, so it’s not crazy cheap, but the quality is undeniable. It’s notes of strawberry and dark cherry balance perfectly with its floral qualities, making it one of the best wines I’ve ever tasted. And here’s a tip: the 2014 is drinking beautifully right now. Anything younger than that needs a couple more years of age. If you can’t find Stoller, you can’t go wrong with any of the other Willamette Valley pinots you can find at your local liquor store.
Dessert Wine
Don’t play, you know you love sweet stuff. A lot of the reason dessert (fortified) wines get a bad rap in America is because they are usually doused in sugar on this side of the Atlantic. So, turn to our friendly French friends to find your next sweet wine. My favorite French winemaker just so happens to make an amazing, and pretty affordable, sweet white called Muscat Beaumes-de-Venise. M. Chapoutier has been making wine in the south of France forever, so you can’t go wrong with any of his wines, but their Muscat is…truly something special. The Muscat grape (aka Moscato for our Italian wine lovers) typically bursts with white peach and honey, making it the perfect accompaniment to most non-chocolatey desserts. Having chocolate this Christmas? Treat yourself to some Rosa Regale Brochetto d’Acqui
Now get up, get out, and go get your wine on!
