Planning Your Perfect Holiday Wine Pairings with City Winery
Just because the holidays will look a bit differently this year, doesn’t mean we shouldn’t celebrate the season! Maybe it will just be your immediate family for a nice Christmas dinner. Maybe you’re hosting a Zoom brunch on New Year’s Day. Maybe you’re staying in, and want to treat yourself to something nice. No matter how you’ll be spending your time over the next few weeks, having the right bottle of wine will make any festivity a bit more merry ✨ To help you plan your perfect holiday wine tasting - and buy the right bottles of wine to go with it - we went to the experts!
Dan Conroe, the Marketing Director at City Winery {1200 West Randolph Street, Chicago; 312.733.9463} helped us plan a wine-lover’s dream holiday! Order pick-up or delivery from City Winery for the holidays (they have free shipping on any 3 bottles of City Winery wine when you purchase online right now!), then set up an at-home wine tasting like a pro…
5 Tips for Setting Up a Wine Tasting
Invite your friends (virtually)
Virtual wine tastings are an excellent safe, socially-distanced activity. Coordinate with friends and family to all get the same wines then gather on Zoom to taste through them. Share your tasting notes and feedback, but don't be afraid to get sidetracked with fun conversation. The shared experience of tasting works great online!
Decide what you're going to taste
Know what you like and then step outside of your comfort zone to discover new wines and varietals that you otherwise might ignore. Call or visit your local wine shop (like City Winery) for suggestions!
Prepare your wine and glassware
Chill your white wines and rosés and you may even want to chill your red wines for a few minutes before drinking. Stemware is not required, but we love Riedel glassware for a great tasting experience.
Compare and contrast
The best discoveries often come from comparing wines and the best way to do this is to taste them side by side. Compare different varietals, different producers and different vintages and see what you find!
Pair your wine with food…and more
We love wine and food pairings, but wine also pairs well with music, a comfortable setting and good people. Set the mood in more ways than one!
5 Food Pairings with City Winery Wines
NV City Bubbles Cava, Penedes, Spain
A toast to celebrate the coming of a new year. Stands perfectly on it's own as an aperitif, or a perfect compliment to lighter fare and appetizers to kick-off a meal. No holiday meal is complete without bubbles!
2018 Pinot Noir Griffin Vineyard, Sonoma Coast, CA
A staple at my family holiday dinners. This variety can accompany chicken, ham and turkey like no other. Versatile and expressive on the nose and palette. A Pinot Noir of true character that hits the mark when paired with an array of main holiday dishes.
2018 West Loop Red, American Red Blend
A red blend is a sure thing when you are attending dinner as a guest and don't know which wine to bring, or for the host who's not quite sure what to serve with a large meal. This full bodied red blend pleases many palettes, can be enjoyed with or without food, and pairs perfectly with the accompaniment of friends and family.
2018 Cabernet Franc, Alder Springs Vineyard, Mendocino, CA
Underserved and often overlooked, this full bodied red is a favorite to drink on it's own or with a meal. Heartier fare like charcuterie, beef, lamb and venison will make for a great compliment.
2019 Whiskey Barrel Aged Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley, WA
Aged in Tennesse whiskey barrels, this crowd favorite is best to sip on after a meal. The whiskey notes are subtle, but toasty vanilla notes can be detected with attention to detail.
Don’t forget to order your holiday wines from City Winery! They’re offering free shipping on any 3 bottles of City Winery wine when you purchase online, so you can set up your perfect virtual wine tasting before we close out 2020 🍷
By Kaleigh Glaza | Market Editor