from Christopher Chan of The Rainier Club

I bet you’ve already seen them – the Christmas trees are on display; heard them – the holiday jingles are being piped through the stores –  and even had a few of those who’s naughty or nice thoughts dance through your head? Yes, the holidays are almost here. So let’s grab the reindeer by the horns and wrestle us a few tasty wines to “cope” with all the great food, family and friends and that frosty nip in the air.

What’s more festive than bubbles?
Now’s the time to break out the sparkling wines! Nothing brightens the mood better than the tinkling of champagne flutes and the toasting to good friends. For those weekend brunch meals, try a little Domaine Ste. Michelle Sparkling wine - a great way to start the day with waffles and bacon. For that evening cheer, how about a chardonnay from Cave B, where winemaker Rusty Figgins has captured “stars in the glass” with their Blanc de Blancs, a bright, crisp and citrusy “methode traditionelle” offering.

What shall I serve for the feast?
We’re lucky to live in the land of plenty, especially in this grape state. I like to pair wines that are food flexible for the harvest of flavors that are thrown into most holiday menus such as pecans, onions, figs, apples, yams, cranberries, mushrooms, and of course, Tom Turkey. This means wines with white, red and blue fruits, soft tannins, a little spice and always a solid spine of acidity. So, please consider these Washington wines with your stuffing:

Arbor Crest “Bacchus” Sauvignon Blanc: This is a food friendly find, well-balanced wine with good ripeness, hints of grass, grapefruit, lemon citrus and great acidity.

Smasne Cellars Farm Boy Riesling: The key to this well-made wine is acidity with just a hint of residual sweetness to compliment the ripe nectarine and peach flavors.

Walter Dacon Sangiovese: Brimming with plump red berries and toasty vanilla oak, soft complexities and relatively quick finish will have you begging for another sip.

Camaraderie Cellars Cabernet Franc: Guaranteed to be a crowd favorite, ripe and round with fine tannins and loads of red and blue fruit flavors.

Fielding Hills Riverbend Red: This wine is stuffed with a mouth pleasing array of fruit, tannin, texture and flavors that promises to match most savory dishes.

àMaurice Syrah: For those looking for something a little bigger and broader, try this Lewis Vineyard sourced wine saturated in juicy black fruits, graphite and iodine
– as the labels proclaims…’drenched in greatness.’

Remember to Save Room for Dessert Wines!

Three Rivers Late Harvest Gewurztraminer – Fruity and fragrant. This wine exudes a silky elegance with sweet and spicy aromas and a long easy swallow of lusciousness.

Vin du Lac Ice Wine – A pretty and perfumed Riesling/ Gewürztraminer blend with honey and pear sweetness and lovely lingering finish.

These are just a few of the “cornucopia” of wines that our great state offers. I tend to stay away from wines with heavy tannins and tons of wood. Also, I recommend
decanting you’re your whites and reds just before dinner to reveal all the juicy aromas, flavors and textures locked up inside. Trust me, a little swirl in a carafe goes a long way towards maximizing your enjoyment.

Cheers to you and yours this holiday season!