Monday, September 7, 2009

Holiday Wine Ideas

Based on some recent tastings, here's what I think would be good for the holiday festivities. I've sorted them by price point, starting with the most affordable.

Barkan Merlot, Israel: Good basic wine, comes in more varieties than just Merlot for those who haven't gotten over Sideways! Great with food, try it with chicken.
W by Weinstock, California: This entry level wine steals the thunder from the memories of great Napa cabernets made by Weinstock in the past. While I have only tried their Rose (fantastic), I have heard that the red and white blends are equally as good.
Baron Herzog Chenin Blanc, California: Quick and easy white, best served cold. This goes with pretty much anything as you will drink it too quickly to notice! And at $7 per bottle, it's almost a no-brainer.
Ramon Cordova Rioja, Spain: Moving into the teens in terms of pricing, this is a full bodied red that tastes much more expensive. Very juicy and fruity, this wine requires bold cuisine like hearty stews or grilled meats.
Yarden Chardonnay 'Odem' Organic Vineyard, Israel: This is one of the top Chardonnays in Israel. When I tried it at the winery, I was very impressed, and recent vintages have been very well received as well.
Galil Yiron Red Blend, Israel: This wine has been well reviewed by the Wine Advocate, a leading wine publication, and has received 90+ point scores in the last several vintages. The wine is very aromatic and easy to drink. Should complement most cuisine and is a great deal under $25.
Yarden Cabernet Sauvignon, Israel: This is one of the most famous wines to come out of Israel. Dark and fruity, the wine is built to age but is always enjoyable. Always a treat.
Flechas de Los Andes Malbec, Argentina: See the review below. This is an exciting wine!

1 comment:

Lindsay said...

I see that you are interested in Kosher. Well, kosher wines are delicious. I mean, just because they are kosher does not mean they are going to taste bad. Anyway, i usually follow all the kosher tradition and I think that it is important that you take it to every aspect of your life. In my case, for example, last year I was going to travel to Argentina, and I found Kosher apartments in Buenos Aires which was finally the best option. I had a great time and the service was really good.
Cheers,
Lindsay