Savor the Season...Discover your signature holiday wine.

Let me invite you into the moment. A long, white tablecloth, fresh white and green flowers running down the center, candles glowing at varying heights, and five very different wines waiting for the all-important question: Will they earn a place on the holiday table? 

Whether you’re hosting this year or bringing a bottle to someone else’s home, I know choosing the “right” holiday wine can feel like a high-stakes poker game. At my recent tasting at Ocean  Wine and Spirits, that very dilemma was the first thing guests mentioned as their primary reason for attending. 

Photos courtesy of Rhonda Virgin

Wine can be as intimidating as a final exam in physics. There are endless options, and most people don’t exactly study for this test. We spend days downloading recipes and making everything just right, only to reach for the same Chardonnay or Cabernet Sauvignon we've always bought. What if, this year, you tried something new? 

That’s exactly what the 20 guests and I explored at Ocean Wine and Spirits last week. Five bottles later, people who initially felt unsure were comparing acidity, identifying tannins, and understanding why certain wines lift a dish while others are better left off the menu. 

The moment that shifted the whole room? The Pinot Noirs. 

People often assume Pinot Noir is Pinot Noir… but tasting two side by side quickly proves otherwise. We started with the Cristom Mount Jefferson Cuvée Pinot Noir 2023 — fresh, fruity,  light, and a perfect fit for baked ham or turkey. Everyone enjoyed it. It’s also a great value at  $39.99. 

Then came the Xavier Monnot Bourgogne Pinot Noir 2022. If your budget allows, this one was unforgettable. Yes, it was fruit-forward, but the acidity was perfectly refreshing, balanced, and immediately, I knew it would pair well with so many dishes. I mentioned pairing it with a  mushroom risotto, and the entire room let out an audible “Ahh.” We could taste the buttery,  cheesy, earthy flavor with what we were drinking. It is our muscle memory at work. At $54.99,  this wine was a standout for me, and I also bought a bottle to take home! 

Next came a wine for the bold red wine lovers: Ghost Block Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2020.  Full-bodied, there were layers of red and black berries, nutmeg, chocolate, and just the earliest whispers of leather, smoke, and tobacco, but not yet dominant. The fruit was still the star. One guest was serving filet mignon for the holidays, and another needed a housewarming gift; both immediately knew this was the bottle. At $79.99, it impressed seasoned Cabernet drinkers. I  recommend enjoying it now or holding it for another five years to appreciate more of the tobacco, smoke, and chocolate notes. 

Not everyone enjoys dry wines, so we began the evening with something off-dry: Willamette  Valley Vineyards Riesling 2023 ($15.99). I wanted to show how a touch of sweetness can work beautifully with certain dishes. For my palate, it lacked the refreshing acidity I usually love in off-dry Rieslings from cooler climates. But that’s the point of tastings - understanding your preferences. Several guests loved it and pointed out dishes they make with spice, like Indian or  Jamaican cuisine, where this style of Riesling truly shines. They bought bottles because it suited their holiday tables, and that’s what matters most to me: leaving confident in your choices.

Of course, no tasting of mine would be complete without something bubbly. For our final wine,  we opened Laurent Perrier La Cuvée Brut Champagne ($59.99). Serve it with oysters, fish, or my personal favorite, potato chips with crème fraiche. Champagne has a way of making every moment feel celebratory, and so we raised our glasses to each other, to our hosts at Ocean Wine and Spirits, and to the upcoming holiday season. We took a group photo, and it perfectly captured the joy in the room. 

Just like we did that night, let’s raise a glass to choosing wines that make you feel confident,  curious, and excited to gather around the table. I’d love to hear what you’re pouring this holiday season. Message me anytime. If you’re interested in hosting a private tasting at your home or business, visit my website for more information.

Let’s celebrate life’s moments one sip at a time.