After 2 months of Christmas songs, you’ll require a new playlist and the red wines to go with it.
Collect ’round and don’t forget the red wine! (1957 lithograph).
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All I desire for Christmas is a playlist of the timeless songs and the wines to opt for them. So while you’re gathering around the tree and counting the loot from Santa, here are a couple of to belt out and drink down.
” Blue Christmas, “Elvis Presley. Well, dang, Tennessee doesn’t make a white wine I can match up with rockabilly, however when I’m having Memphis barbeque, I’m reaching for this Bending Branch Tannat, a deep, full-bodied red wine that has a sweet oak spice, focused late-summer strawberry fruit and a little bit of a licorice twist. I believe Elvis would authorize
“ White Christmas,” Bing Crosby. According to the Guinness Book of World Records, it’s the No. 1 seasonal traditional, and it is worthy of something equally storied. I’m going with Newton‘s Unfiltered Chardonnay, a straw-colored, tropical-inflected wine from a heritage winery. A pretty layering of honeycomb, butterscotch and caramel, juicy citrus makes this a generous without being an over the leading white wine.
“Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas,“ Ella Fitzgerald. Ella’s variation is a light and swinging interpretation that is worthy of an equally pleased red wine, “L’Occhiolino” (Italian for wink) an IGT frizzante rosso from Emilia is just the ticket. Not as deep as the Lambruscos for which the region is understood, but a peppy and enjoyable red-fruited, low-octane (7.5 abv) fizz in an off-dry design.
“The Christmas Tune,” Nat King Cole(1961)or Johnny Mathis(1958). Take your pick of crooner, but make certain your white wine is simply as silky smooth. I’m choosing Conde Valdemar Rioja DOC Reserve 2015, from a fifth-generation producer who understands how to coax the expression from Tempranillo. This one has actually stitched strawberries and milk chocolate with a natural undertone verging on some kind of umami. Smooth, smooth tannins.
“ Run Rudolph Run,”Chuck Berry. You can’t listen to this tune and stay in your seat, so you require a red wine that’s got a great deal of shimmy to it (or at least comes from a producer that does). From partners Raj Parr and Sashi Moorman, Night Land “La Source” Pinot Noir from the Seven Springs estate (Eola-Amity Hills, Ore.) deftly integrates cherry, some earthy mushroom and brilliant tea spices (believe Consistent Comment) in a red wine backed by a dusty minerality.
“ I’ll be House for Christmas,”Dean Martin. A Christmas tune that’s a little bit sultry and a lot of smooth, calls for a similarly styled wine– how about Xanadu Cabernet Sauvignon 2020, Margaret River!.?.!? Rich and plush plum, black and blue berries, with apparent skin tannins to provide this some meaning. Smooth tannins, smooth however operating in tandem with those skins. Fourteen months in French oak (40% brand-new).
“ Christmas Time is Here,”Vince Guaraldi Trio. This is the only Christmas tune I can consider that integrates a dreamy belief and elegance. For this, I relied on Mira for a traditional California Chardonnay (though hard to skip their Merlot). Sourced 100% from the Hyde Vineyard in the cool-climate Carneros district, this reveals a purity of ripe apple and pear, some tea spices and honeycomb. Complete and rewarding but not exaggerated: It shines.
“Sleigh Flight, “The Ronettes. Upbeat, joyful and a little sassy, a woman Motown variation of what is frequently a sappy classic. JJ Vincent Juliénas Cru Beaujolais 2018. This is a juicy and luxurious, easy-drinking sip from Famille Vincent, showcasing Gamay’s red and black fruits with a pleasing charred wood and iodine character.
“Santa Baby,”Eartha Kitt. The sultriest Santa tune ever is worthy of a red wine that can keep up. Pasqua‘s “Hey French” Bianco Veneto IGT is a full-bodied, sensuous and ripe multi-vintage mix revealing baked yellow apple, quince, anise, and Chenin waxiness and great deals of sexy umami.
“Feliz Navidad,”José Feliciano. Vibrate your shoulders and put a little shake in your hips while you listen to this timeless and sip Segura Viudas Reserva Heredad, an iconic cava on the edge of off-dry with honeycomb notes, a little brioche white fruits and a relentless bubble. A blend of 75% Macabeo; 25% Chardonnay.