It might come as no surprise, but according to the Pew Research Center, Americans drink and purchase more wine in December than during any other month. Whether you’re looking for bubbles, red or white, we asked three of Charleston’s best wine pros what they recommend when it comes to pairing with holidays meals or gifting a bottle.
Bubbles, bubbles, bubbles
Chef and owner Mark Bolchoz opened Cane Pazzo, a neighborhood osteria located in Hanahan, earlier this year and it has quickly become one of the hottest restaurants in town. Wine Director Kat Durham has curated a beautifully balanced wine menu featuring exclusively Italian bottles, from affordable Lambruscos to heavy hitter Barolos.
For the holiday season, Durham recommends a Ca’ del Bosco Franciacorta and an Alfredo Bertolani Lambrusco.
“Franciacorta is a fantastic match for Lowcountry boils and celebratory Southern seafood dishes,” she said. “Made using the same method as Champagne, it has a beautiful effervescence with notes of fresh-baked rolls and a touch of lemon, making it especially well-suited to fried foods and rich seafood preparations.”
If you’re looking to complement winter vegetables or pork, the Lambrusco is Durham’s go-to. “The Alfredo Bertolani Lambrusco shines alongside savory pork roasts and root vegetables,” she said. “It’s a fuller-bodied sparkling red with layers of savory herbs and dried blue and black fruits, making it both festive and food-friendly.”
For gifting, Durham subscribes to the go big or go home adage. But going big doesn’t always break the bank, especially when it comes to her magnum recommendation. “A magnum of G.D. Vajra Albe Barolo 2021 is a perfect choice for large holiday gatherings, especially alongside roasted duck or turkey,” she said. “The wine’s bright acidity and structured tannins complement rich, meaty dishes without overwhelming them.”
And if you do want to splurge, she loves a Barbaresco.
“If you’re looking to impress, the 2016 Grasso Fratelli Vallegrande Barbaresco is an excellent gift for the wine lovers in your family,” Durham shared. “It is a meaningful bottle for the holidays that will age beautifully, or, if opened now, deliver a memorable and elegant experience to enjoy throughout the season.”
A white (wine) Christmas
Latasha Tavelle is the owner and operator of Fermented Vines, a mobile wine bar that services private dinners as well as weddings, anniversaries, birthdays and other special occasions. She is the first Black, female sommelier in the Charleston area and opened her business to create a safe space for people from all walks of life to enjoy elevated wine experiences at an affordable price.
“My ideal pairing for the holidays is honey-glazed, pineapple ham and savory cranberry stuffing alongside one of my favorite wines, LVE,” she said. “LVE is a chardonnay from singer John Legend’s signature series. It is buttery and rich with soft tannins that coat your mouth. The buttery notes and sweetness blend together to balance and complement the savoriness from the herbs in the stuffing and the richness of the ham.”
Tavelle stays close to home when it comes to gifting a bottle of bubbles and recommends Charleston‘s locally owned Don Luchi Prosecco from Italy. Launched in 2024, Don Luchi is South Carolina’s first Black-owned prosecco brand. The prosecco has notes of golden apple, peach, roses and wisteria with hints of almonds and toasted bread, and one can always argue that bubbles pair perfectly with anything.
Going the red route
When Monarch Wine Merchants opened in Wagener Terrace in 2017, it brought a true neighborhood shop to the Charleston peninsula. Offering rare bottles, old-world classics, small batch wines, selections from cult producers and natural and biodynamic wines, Monarch makes wine accessible, educational and delicious.
When it comes to the holidays, the Monarch crew is especially excited about a storied producer newly available in Charleston.
“This year, the wines of Henri Chauvet made their way to the state of South Carolina,” said Robert Spencer, Monarch sales manager. “This is the first time we’ve seen them in the market, and they’re fascinating wines that make for a perfect pairing with a variety of centerpieces.
“Whether it’s turkey, beef, chicken or anything, the wines are light on their feet but have a savory, smokey facet that adds greater dimension than your average beaujolais. Chauvet is based out of the Auvergne, in the middle-of-nowhere of France, far up-river on the Loire. He almost exclusively works with gamay and pinot noir but grown on the ancient volcanic soils found here.”
Since these wines aren’t heavy like a cabernet would be, Spencer said they pair well with traditional holiday dishes like poultry and other game.
When it comes to gifting, Spencer sticks with red. “Anything pinot noir or gamay based is preferred for most holiday fare,” Spencer said. “Look for named locations such as the cote de nuits for more complex and historic examples but also keep an eye out for Oregon pinot noir. It’s a cooler-climate, earthier pinot that mirrors a lot of what we love about the old-world styles while having their own character.”
Cheers to a healthy, happy holiday season!
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