Holiday Review

It's your last couple of shopping days, but you already knew that. Today. we're going to wrap up all of our discussions on what to drink, and add a few more suggestions. Click on the links below for the full blog post. Please note that our store hours on December 24 are 8am to 7pm, and we are closed on Christmas Day.

What to Drink for Christmas, Part 1: Wines to pair with ham or lamb.

What to Drink for Christmas, Part 2: Wines to pair with the Feast of the Seven Fishes, Roasts or Pasta dishes.

Champagne and Sparkling Wine: Because you should have at least one bottle on hand at this time of year.

Gift Sets: A packaged Gift Set is usually at the same price as the bottle itself. And they're easy to wrap.

Holiday Cocktails: Simple recipes for tasty treats.

Pair Beer with Turkey.

Pair White Wine with Turkey.

Pair Red Wine with Turkey.

Pairing wine with Goose for Christmas: Francis Ford Coppola Director's Cut Zinfandel. This is a Zinfandel that pushes the envelope of decadence with voluptuous, concentrated flavors of fruit jam, chocolate and vanilla. Petite Sirah is added to the blend to create a sturdier structure and more complexity.

Made with fruit grown entirely in the Dry Creek Valley appellation, where the combination of climate and location produces excellent Zinfandel fruit with intensely concentrated flavor. Half of the fruit was crushed whole, and the must (seeds and skins) was fermented in open-top fermentors for maximum color extraction and flavor enhancement.

One of the things that make this Zinfandel unique is the liberal amount of Petite Sirah added to the blend to enhance structure and complexity. The winemakers used a combination of French and American oak, favoring an American cooper that imparts a nice mocha-espresso nuance that blends well with our wine. The Director’s Cut Zinfandel delivers ample body and a velvety palate with a bouquet of blackberries, raspberries, clove and pepper followed by succulent flavors of cherries, mixed berries and mocha.

The winery price is $27.00. Our regular price is $19.99. You'll have to stop in to see the Bottle Club® price on the Coppola Director's Cut Zinfandel.

Joseph Phelps Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2011. The 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon has beautiful aromatics of plum, cherry, currants, coffee, cocoa and hints of allspice, fresh thyme, tobacco and forest floor. The body is laced with integrated tannins, great freshness and red fruit characteristics.

92 points from Antonio Galloni’s Vinous. This special occasion wine is in the Bottle Club® for $59.99.