Published: Sunday, December 18, 2005
Find a special bottle for season's cheer
The holiday season is the perfect time of the year to expand the wine horizons for yourself and the people you cherish. Whether it's sparkling wines, sweet wines, chardonnay, cabernet sauvignon or any other type of wine, there are so many options at so many different price points, it's a bit overwhelming.
So, if you are entertaining the idea of the gift of wine for this holiday season, either for yourself, friend or family, here a few suggestions to put under the tree to add to the festive glee. Oh, and by the way, half bottles fit nicely in a Christmas stocking.
So, if you are entertaining the idea of the gift of wine for this holiday season, either for yourself, friend or family, here a few suggestions to put under the tree to add to the festive glee. Oh, and by the way, half bottles fit nicely in a Christmas stocking.
Bubbles
Moet & Chandon White Star (187ml) $13, (375ml) $26, (750ml) $40.
A beautiful and harmonious blend of chardonnay, pinot noir and pinot meunier that is done in an extra dry style. This sparkler is sure to add some effervescent fun to the holidays.
Billecart Salmon Brut Rose (375ml) $45, (750ml) $85.
There are few pleasures in life better than a brut rose Champagne, and there are few, if any, better than the "Billy" Rose. It's a phenomenal feast for the senses with incredible length on the finish. To me, this is "it" - and at a price dramatically less than the top-end Champagnes.
A beautiful and harmonious blend of chardonnay, pinot noir and pinot meunier that is done in an extra dry style. This sparkler is sure to add some effervescent fun to the holidays.
Billecart Salmon Brut Rose (375ml) $45, (750ml) $85.
There are few pleasures in life better than a brut rose Champagne, and there are few, if any, better than the "Billy" Rose. It's a phenomenal feast for the senses with incredible length on the finish. To me, this is "it" - and at a price dramatically less than the top-end Champagnes.
Whites
Ramey Carneros District 2003 Chardonnay $36.
A spicy, exotic California chardonnay with great depth and complexity, aromas of orchard fruit, clove and flowers, and with strong flavors of peach and honey. It's a mouth-filling gem.
Bergevin Lane Vineyards 2994 Viognier $26.
Typically, viognier and oak are contrasting components in my view, but not with this sophisticated, elegant and wonderfully crafted wine. The bountiful peach, apricot, honeysuckle, citrus and vanilla aromas and flavors are seductive.
A spicy, exotic California chardonnay with great depth and complexity, aromas of orchard fruit, clove and flowers, and with strong flavors of peach and honey. It's a mouth-filling gem.
Bergevin Lane Vineyards 2994 Viognier $26.
Typically, viognier and oak are contrasting components in my view, but not with this sophisticated, elegant and wonderfully crafted wine. The bountiful peach, apricot, honeysuckle, citrus and vanilla aromas and flavors are seductive.
Reds
Gorman Winery 2003 Red Mountain "Evil Twin" $45.
For a brand-new winery, these wines from Chris Gorman are impressive examples of what a talented individual can accomplish. Power and balance are the keys to this wine, but you can't get over the layers of flavors of blackberries, cassis, toffee and sweet oak. It might not sound like a holiday wine, but once you drink it, you won't mind getting a little chunk of coal in your sock. Sold out at the winery but still available at select retailers.
Domaine Drouhin 2002 "Laurene" Pinot Noir $60
Deeply concentrated and complex Oregon pinot noir with beautiful structure that would allow this wine to age gracefully. "French Soul, Oregon Soil" is the trademark of this winery, which was established in 1988 by Veronique Drouhin and has been one of my personal favorites over the years. I try my best to stay good all year in hopes that Santa will leave a bottle on the mantle.
For a brand-new winery, these wines from Chris Gorman are impressive examples of what a talented individual can accomplish. Power and balance are the keys to this wine, but you can't get over the layers of flavors of blackberries, cassis, toffee and sweet oak. It might not sound like a holiday wine, but once you drink it, you won't mind getting a little chunk of coal in your sock. Sold out at the winery but still available at select retailers.
Domaine Drouhin 2002 "Laurene" Pinot Noir $60
Deeply concentrated and complex Oregon pinot noir with beautiful structure that would allow this wine to age gracefully. "French Soul, Oregon Soil" is the trademark of this winery, which was established in 1988 by Veronique Drouhin and has been one of my personal favorites over the years. I try my best to stay good all year in hopes that Santa will leave a bottle on the mantle.
Sweets
Willis Hall 2003 Orange Muscat "Passito" $27
What an beautifully crafted dessert wine by the maestro, John Bell. The passito style of winemaking, where the grapes are racked and dried for weeks before pressing and fermentation, has resulted in an amazing nectar. The aromas and flavors are a feast for the senses and mere words really don't do this treasure justice. The beautiful, slender 375ml bottle could easily be slid into a Santa sock!
Porto Barros 20 Year Old Tawny $57 (750ml)
The Barros family began making port in 1913 and this stunning tawny port is an exquisite example of what they've accomplished. The incredible aromas and flavors of toasted pecans, honey, coffee and butterscotch are mesmerizing. A sip or two of this elixir in front of a crackling fire on a cold, foggy winter night is enough to entice holly and jolly.
FYI
You may have noticed the Wick on Wine hiatus the last few weeks. It was with mixed emotions that I exited the retail realm of the world of wine a couple of years ago. I really missed the direct contact with the buying public, with whom I forged some truly wonderful relationships over the years. Bringing the world of wine to my hometown, and seeing the "click" in the eyes of my customers/friends when they tried something special, got farther under my skin that I could have imagined.
I respect the "Wicked" job that Kevin and Bonny Nasr have done in continuing the legacy that Wick & Ed began almost a decade ago. I love that an idea can turn into a dream, and a dream can evolve into reality, and eventually, with a ton of hard work, the idea can be an institution that has churned out many a purple smile.
With our son attending college in Bellingham, we began spending more time up in the great white north and eventually fell in love with the Bohemian chic village of Fairhaven on the city's south side. When the boss (Edalyn) said, "This would be a great place for a wine shop," that was all the opening I needed, and the "idea/dream/reality" sequence was condensed and Purple Smile Wines was the result.
We opened in mid-November, and it has been great to get back in the saddle and begin the process again that altered the path of my life in so many positive ways - and I'd like to think that venture in Everett has had a positive impact on the community. If you're ever passing through or taking a scenic drive up Chuckanut Drive, I would be honored with a visit.
Purple Smile Wines is at 1143 11th St. In the heart of Fairhaven, 360-756-0422, www.purplesmilewines.com.
Jeff Wicklund's next column will appear in The Herald's Travel & Leisure on Jan. 1.
What an beautifully crafted dessert wine by the maestro, John Bell. The passito style of winemaking, where the grapes are racked and dried for weeks before pressing and fermentation, has resulted in an amazing nectar. The aromas and flavors are a feast for the senses and mere words really don't do this treasure justice. The beautiful, slender 375ml bottle could easily be slid into a Santa sock!
Porto Barros 20 Year Old Tawny $57 (750ml)
The Barros family began making port in 1913 and this stunning tawny port is an exquisite example of what they've accomplished. The incredible aromas and flavors of toasted pecans, honey, coffee and butterscotch are mesmerizing. A sip or two of this elixir in front of a crackling fire on a cold, foggy winter night is enough to entice holly and jolly.
FYI
You may have noticed the Wick on Wine hiatus the last few weeks. It was with mixed emotions that I exited the retail realm of the world of wine a couple of years ago. I really missed the direct contact with the buying public, with whom I forged some truly wonderful relationships over the years. Bringing the world of wine to my hometown, and seeing the "click" in the eyes of my customers/friends when they tried something special, got farther under my skin that I could have imagined.
I respect the "Wicked" job that Kevin and Bonny Nasr have done in continuing the legacy that Wick & Ed began almost a decade ago. I love that an idea can turn into a dream, and a dream can evolve into reality, and eventually, with a ton of hard work, the idea can be an institution that has churned out many a purple smile.
With our son attending college in Bellingham, we began spending more time up in the great white north and eventually fell in love with the Bohemian chic village of Fairhaven on the city's south side. When the boss (Edalyn) said, "This would be a great place for a wine shop," that was all the opening I needed, and the "idea/dream/reality" sequence was condensed and Purple Smile Wines was the result.
We opened in mid-November, and it has been great to get back in the saddle and begin the process again that altered the path of my life in so many positive ways - and I'd like to think that venture in Everett has had a positive impact on the community. If you're ever passing through or taking a scenic drive up Chuckanut Drive, I would be honored with a visit.
Purple Smile Wines is at 1143 11th St. In the heart of Fairhaven, 360-756-0422, www.purplesmilewines.com.
Jeff Wicklund's next column will appear in The Herald's Travel & Leisure on Jan. 1.
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