holidays
The Most
Wine-Derful Time of the Year
’T
B Y M AT T H E W L A RDIE P HOTO B Y J O H N M IC HAE L SIMP SO N
’Tis the season for gathering, and with all the holiday parties and get-togethers to both host and attend, figuring out what to drink (or bring as a host/hostess gift) can get a little overwhelming. Well, breathe easy, because we reached out to a handful of the Bull City’s best wine shops for their expert recommendations. Whether you’re looking for a white, a red, or a bottle of bubbles to pop, they’ve got you covered.
“Champagne is synonymous with celebration and is a classic option for the holiday season in and of itself,” says The Wine Feed’s Kayla Eakin, “but Diebolt-Vallois’ Blanc de Blancs is an especially fantastic bottle that punches far above its price point.” Whether toasting the end of the year or the beginning of the new one, a glass of bubbles is pretty much a prerequisite. At $51, it’s far more affordable than some of the well-known Champagne houses, but delivers the same creamy, luscious notes. This bottle would make an excellent gift, but let’s be honest – you deserve to treat yourself. Want to be a little fancy for the holidays without breaking the bank? Cam Davis at LouElla Wine, Beer and Beverages has the bottle for you. He recommends the Cave des Vins de Bourgueil 2020 Lieu-dit Beauregard. The name might be a mouthful, but the price certainly isn’t hard to swallow. “In a world of ever-increasing prices, it is getting harder to find this kind of quality Loire Valley cabernet franc under $20.” Cam says. With rich notes of red currant, this bottle rings in at $18.99 and will pair beautifully with turkey, holiday ham and everything in between.
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durhammag.com
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december 2022 / january 2023