The season of giving has arrived. Friends, families and coworkers gather together to share laughs, eat good meals and drink until they’re warm and fuzzy. But those holiday gatherings bring pressure to present something tasty and delicious: There’s not enough time to cook a hearty meal to impress everyone, and you don’t want to get a pre-made meal from a grocery store. What’s a quick option? Wine, of course. Just about everyone loves wine, even if they say they don’t (especially after a glass or two).
Fortunately, Charleston is ripe with bottle shops and sommeliers to help guide you through picking the best wines.
“For me, gift wine does depend on the person,” said Kevin Regan, owner of Mount Pleasant’s Rooted Bottle Market and Bar. “If I know their preferences, it’s easy to pick for them. However, for the most part I’m sticking to classics as gifts. I’d most likely be snagging some French, Italian or Spanish classics too.”
He provided an extra tip: “I think a decanter is always a good gift for a wine lover because it can be used or decorative or both.”
Here are some recommendations for three kinds of wines — whites, reds and bubbles — to take to a holiday party, followed by some places to snag a bottle of wine from local shops.
Whites
“I’m going to France here. I think chenin blanc is amazing this time of year. Domaine Huet’s ‘Le Mont’ Sec Vouvray is an absolute stunner for those who want to blow someone away with a rich and round white wine.” —Kevin Regan, Rooted Bottle Market and Bar, Mount Pleasant.
“I recommend Stephane Tissot Chardonnay. It’s a ‘patchwork’ blend of different vineyards that result in a perfectly balanced, nuanced white that is salty, fresh and delicious.” —Matthew Conway, Tippling House, Charleston.
“R & D Selections White Pinot Noir. People seem surprised to see a white pinot noir so I wanted to share this. This particular wine is based out of California with tasting notes of oak, nectarine, umami and vanilla.” —Natasha Cline, Uncork Charleston, Charleston.
Reds
“I’d be snagging from France or Spain here. For French, my go-to would be from Burgundy. A wine I’m digging right now would be Domaine Ragot Givry ‘Teppe Des Cheneves’ and from Spain, you can’t beat the quality for price from Lopez Heredia out of Rioja. Their Vina Tondonia is amazing. I love all their offerings and you can’t go wrong with any of them. Neither of these reds break the bank for their quality.” —Kevin Regan.
“I LOVE what my buddy Patrick is doing at Monte Rio Cellars — Old vine reds from Lodi that are made naturally with low alcohol. They over-deliver for their very reasonable prices so you can gift two or three instead of one bottle.” —Matthew Conway.
“Catena Malbec out of Mendoza, Argentina. It has tasting notes of toasted almond, oak, cherry, blackberry and orange. The vines here are protected by huge rocks that help control the temperatures of the root system, a truly beautiful display of how the earth works together to make the perfect conditions for these vines.” —Natasha Cline.
Bubbles
“I’m absolutely grabbing some Champagne! Depending on the budget I’m buying Vilmart & Cie ‘Grand Cellier’ or Pierre Paillard ‘Les Parcelles.’ Both are absolute stunners for the price and truly amazing.” —Kevin Regan.
“Dame Jeanne is the best ‘affordable’ bubbles. The daughter of the winemaker at Marie Courtin in Champagne is making a 100% Pinot Noir called ‘Premise’ that is extraordinary.” —Matthew Conway.
“Argyle Brut from Oregon, consisting of two varietals: chardonnay and pinot noir. Tasting notes of honey, apple, brioche and lemon curd. Oregon is one of my favorite growing regions, and this sparkling house follows closely in influence to its French roots.” —Natasha Cline, Charleston.
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