You’ve set your table and gathered your guests. Now it’s time to toast family, good cheer, the miracle of lights and the new year. And, of course, you want to make sure those glasses are filled with the very best.
If you’d like some guidance for curating your wine list, we have the solution. Here, Monmouth County-based based sommelier and wine writer Amanda Claire Goodwin suggests the best bottles to serve for every occasion, from heavy meals to a light brunch.
Hanukkah dinner
“When you celebrate the Festival of Lights,” says Goodwin, “you’re going to need a wine that stands up to brisket, roasted chicken, salmon and comforting sides like latkes and noodle kugel. Brisket and Beaujolais such as Villages, or Crus like Morgon or Brouilly, are a fantastic pairing.” Why? According to our expert, Beaujolais are lower in tannins than other wines, so they offer a smoother mouthfeel, are light-medium bodied and have higher acidity, balanced by fruit forward notes. That ensures they pair well with many different foods. “This style of wine can also be paired with chicken and fish. Louis Jadot Beaujolais is widely available and also kosher,” she says.
Christmas dinner
The centerpiece of a traditional Christmas spread is a roast, often turkey, ham or prime rib. Goodwin says you need to pick a wine to stand up to it. “A big, heavy holiday meal and a big wine complement one another, because they don’t overpower each other,” she says. “A hearty cut of meat pairs beautifully with a Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon or a Merlot. I recommend Oberon Napa County Cabernet Sauvignon to many of my clients with great feedback.”
Holiday brunch
We would be remiss to not celebrate the pleasure of an early-afternoon holiday celebration filled with pancakes, maple syrup and quiche. Goodwin says, “If I’m having brunch, the wine must be light, effervescent and more fruit-forward to pair well with the sweet treats, waffles, fruits and even maple bacon.” For brunch pairing, she suggests, “A Vinho Verde or a bottle of extra dry prosecco. Extra dry Prosecco has a sweeter taste which is complimented by palate-cleansing bubbles and fruit aromas. Vinho Verde is light, low-alcohol, fresh and fruit-forward, making a natural choice for brunch. I recommend Broadbent Vinho Verde.”
New Year’s Eve
For the most important toast of the year, you want something truly special in your glass. “For New Year’s Eve I want something timeless, classic and elegante—of course I’m talking about champagne!” says Goodwin. This is a wine created to compliment the pleasures of a NYE spread; “The creamy yet toasty brioche notes, acidity and the aromas and flavors of orchard fruits are a great pairing to oysters, caviar and assorted cheeses,” she says.” The bottle to pick up? “My go-to champagne is the under-the-radar Aubry Brut.”
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