Holiday wines for all occasions
· By Dennis Fraley The Bottle Talk
· Dec 19, 2025
Dennis Fraley shares holiday wines in this edition of The Bottle Talk
They say as you get older, the days get longer and the years grow shorter.
This statement could not be more accurate as evidenced by the holiday season lurking just weeks away. With this time of year comes family gatherings, holiday parties and giving those special to us a token of our appreciation.
All of these situations are an opportunity to show your forethought and thoughtfulness through the means of liquid appreciation. So, whether you are bringing a bottle to the holiday drop-in, giving one as a special gift or merely toting your own to tolerate that family gathering, I've got you covered.
Drop-ins and holiday parties are some of the most difficult to navigate. It's easy to get caught up in the choices of wine style, grape variety, and price range, but we need not overcomplicate things. First, know your audience. Ask yourself if those in attendance are avid wine consumers or just partiers. If you are unsure, then default to the latter.
The next step is bringing a wine that you enjoy. There's a chance that the other guests made the mistake of asking a local retail counter jockey for their opinion and thus arrived with the bottle that made the store the biggest markup. So, instead of being relegated to drinking that swill, you at least have a bottle that you can sip on.
For the white wine fans, one of my default party wines is Sauvignon Blanc. The bright linear acidity and citrus-driven profile make a great accompaniment for most party fare and even a great sipper on its own. Saint Clair Wairau Reserve Sauvignon Blanc 2023, Marlborough, New Zealand ($40) shows classic boxwood, grapefruit, and nettles with a weightier palate feel that increases the sexiness of this wine.
If you have some wine geeks in attendance or want a conversation starter, I suggest Early Mountain Petit Manseng 2023, Virginia ($65). Made popular in the white blends of southern France, this Virginia wine is 100 percent varietal. These wines have interesting tropical nuances and are known for their sometimes-bracing acidity. Malolactic fermentation and prolonged lees contact tame the acid and add brioche-like complexity.
If red wine is more your style, drop a big, bold Zinfandel on the table like Seghesio Family Estate Zinfandel 2023, Sonoma County ($26). This example shows pleasant restraint with fresh ripe raspberry and blackberry, brambles, and a hint of baking spice. The palate displays the same fruit with fine-grained tannins and gently warming alcohol.
Le Vigne Estate Nikiara 2021
For a Bordeaux-style option, Le Vigne Estate Nikiara 2021, Paso Robles ($54) blends 55 percent Cabernet Sauvignon, 23 percent Petit Verdot, 17 percent Cabernet Franc, and 5 percent Merlot. Red and dark fruit (raspberry, boysenberry, plum) with elements of chocolate, leather, cedar box and baking spice. The palate has well-integrated silky tannins and crunchy acid structure.
Now, if you are searching for a bottle as a gift rather than a party contribution, that changes our tactics a bit. Similar to the party approach, know your audience and what they prefer. The difference comes in how wide the wallet opens. Whether your token bottle is going to a good friend, boss or your favorite wine writer, I recommend stepping up your game.
For the bright wine acid-loving taster, Gamble Estate Sauvignon Blanc 2024, Yountville ($60) delivers complex layers of ripe tropical and orchard fruit with a viscous, textured mouthfeel and bright linear acidity.
For those who prefer the oaky, buttery style, Jermann Where Dreams Have No End Bianco 2022, Venezia Giulia ($85) shows evident oak influence and malolactic character, presenting as toasted and buttered pastry with tropical marmalade. The palate carries the same toasted oak nuance with a spiced grilled pineapple finish.
For red wine gifts, Whitehall Lane Cabernet Sauvignon 2021, Napa Valley ($56) offers sweet blackberries, dried figs, black cherries, toasted vanilla and a hint of cigar box. The palate delivers rich velvety tannins, dark chocolate-covered cherries, and mixed berry pie.
As the year draws to a close, many of us feel that the days seem longer but the years pass more quickly. The holiday season approaches, bringing with it family gatherings, festive parties, and opportunities to show appreciation to those who matter most. In these moments, a thoughtfully chosen bottle of wine can be a perfect gesture—whether you’re bringing one to a holiday drop-in, gifting a special bottle, or simply selecting something to enjoy during family celebrations.
Choosing Wines for Holiday Drop-Ins and Parties
Navigating wine selections for drop-ins and holiday parties can be challenging. With so many choices in wine style, grape variety, and price range, it’s easy to overthink the decision. Instead, keep things simple and focus on your audience. Consider whether the guests are enthusiastic wine drinkers or more casual partiers; if you’re unsure, it’s usually safer to assume the latter.
Another tip is to bring a wine that you personally enjoy. Sometimes, other guests may bring bottles recommended by local store clerks—often picked for store profit rather than quality—so having a wine you like ensures you’ll have something enjoyable to sip.
Recommended White Wines
· Sauvignon Blanc: A reliable choice for parties, Sauvignon Blanc offers bright acidity and a citrus-driven profile that pairs well with most party foods and is also enjoyable on its own. The Saint Clair Wairau Reserve Sauvignon Blanc 2023 from Marlborough, New Zealand ($40) features classic notes of boxwood, grapefruit, and nettles, with a weightier palate for added appeal.
· Petit Manseng: For guests who appreciate more unique wines or enjoy a conversation starter, consider the Early Mountain Petit Manseng 2023 from Virginia ($65). This wine, made popular in southern France, is 100 percent varietal and offers tropical nuances and notable acidity. Malolactic fermentation and extended lees contact help mellow the acidity and add brioche-like complexity.
Red Wine Suggestions
· Zinfandel: If you prefer red wine, a bold Zinfandel like Seghesio Family Estate Zinfandel 2023 from Sonoma County ($26) is a great option. This wine demonstrates restraint, featuring ripe raspberry and blackberry flavors, brambles, and a touch of baking spice. Its palate showcases fine-grained tannins and gently warming alcohol.
· Bordeaux-style Blend: For those seeking a Bordeaux-style wine, Le Vigne Estate Nikiara 2021 from Paso Robles ($54) offers a blend of cabernet sauvignon, petit verdot, cabernet franc, and merlot. It has notes of red and dark fruits—raspberry, boysenberry, and plum—combined with chocolate, leather, cedar box, and baking spice. The palate is marked by silky tannins and a crisp acid structure.
Le Vigne Estate Nikiara 2021
Selecting Wines as Holiday Gifts
When choosing a bottle of wine as a gift, your approach should shift slightly. Like party selections, it’s important to know the recipient’s preferences. The main difference lies in how much you are willing to spend. Whether the bottle is intended for a friend, a boss, or someone special, consider choosing something a bit more elevated.
White Wine Gift Recommendations
· Gamble Estate Sauvignon Blanc 2024, Yountville ($60): This wine is ideal for those who appreciate vibrant acidity. It delivers complex layers of tropical and orchard fruit, a viscous and textured mouthfeel, and bright, linear acidity.
· Jermann Where Dreams Have No End Bianco 2022, Venezia Giulia ($85): For fans of oaky, buttery wines, this bottle stands out. It displays pronounced oak influence and malolactic character, with flavors reminiscent of toasted and buttered pastry and tropical marmalade. The palate continues with toasted oak nuances and a spiced grilled pineapple finish.
Red Wine Gift Recommendation
· Whitehall Lane Cabernet Sauvignon 2021, Napa Valley ($56): This wine presents sweet blackberries, dried figs, black cherries, toasted vanilla, and a hint of cigar box on the nose. The palate features rich velvety tannins, dark chocolate-covered cherries, and mixed berry pie.