We’re in the thick of the holidays now, and there are sips to be had for every moment! Plus a few gifts to give 🙂 

for the happy hour  

This brings cheese and wine to a new level. Sandeman made a port-washed Harbison cheese with Jasper Hill Farm. It’s already sold out on their site but you can still pair Sandeman’s Founder’s Reserve ($25) with their other delicious cheeses. With the sweet, jammy blackberry notes, this ruby port is great with the creamy Harbsion or even one of the aged hard cheeses. 

for the feast

Everyone’s menu varies wildly, so it’s hard to make one specific recommendation. We do a combo of Feast of the Seven Fishes plus a Beef Wellington so need white and red. 

For the white, we always do a white Burgundy — that’s the kind of Chardonnay I want with lobster. Montagny in the Côte Chalonnaise is often a more affordable appellation versus Puligny or Chassagne Montrachet. An excellent choice for your fish or lighter fare is the 2022 Domaine du Cellier aux Moines Montagny 1er Cru Les Combes ($65). Light yellow apple, white peach and white flowers with enough body to not disappear against all the foods on your table. 

And a fitting red your meat or game will be the 2021 Stag’s Leap Artemis ($85), named after the goddess of the hunt. This is a Cab that can hold up to the bold meat, with lots of lush blackberry and dark chocolate notes. 

for the tree

Just went to Japan for the first time, and it won’t be the last! I didn’t get to make a trip out to the distilleries but did get to sip some Japanese whisky high above Tokyo. I absolutely love the delicacy of Japanese whisky, usually less gruff than Scotch whiskey (though granted that’s a big generalization). I’ve said it before, but I always think whiskey (or whisky as it’s spelled for Japanese versions) makes an excellent gift because people drink it over multiple nights. Here are two that would make great gifts:

Takamine Sakura Cask: This is a single malt made with Takamine’s patented 
parallel fermentation process using koji (the official mold of Japan) and yeast. It’s finished in casks that have rare barrel heads made from cherry blossom trees. Hence the utterly pretty cherry blossom label, and the beautifully delicate light red cherry notes. Such a cool one. $90

Nikka Session: This is a rather new entry to the Nikka portfolio (introduced in 2020), and it interestingly blends both Japanese and Scotch malts. It had light, acidic burnt orange notes and a hint of smoky peat. In Japan it’s only about $40, and though I don’t think they import much to the states I did find it online for $155 here (like I said, great gift!). 

Want to be the first to get the monthly newsletter recommendations? Woo hoo, sign up here!