Excess is just about to reach a fever pitch, so don’t stop now. I have a number of musts on my indulgence list and I intend to cross all of them off by Jan. 1.
I may be straying from wine here, but I would be remiss not to include my long standing tradition of boozy coffee with a chocolate croissant on Christmas Eve morning. Have you seen the girl with the flask at Beaucoup Bakery or Thomas Haas? That’s me pouring brandy into my latte. A word of warning; I once packed the wrong flask and ended up with a very peaty/smoky Islay Scotch in my java.
Trust me, it doesn’t taste good. After much research, I can assure you that Spanish brandy is the best.
I’ll admit that I’m really not a turkey fan. However, I always look forward to leftovers on Boxing Day. For me, this means a turkey sandwich with a generous heaping of cranberry sauce and stuffing.
Before sinking my teeth in, I snoop around for any unfinished bottles from the day before. Leftover wine? Okay, this is a rare occurrence. Play it safe and have extra bottles handy.
Inevitably, at least one holiday gathering devolves into a game night. My preference? Poker. Wine may not sound like the obvious match but sipping on a big rich red gives me confidence and I can stay in the game longer than if I’m swigging bourbon. It also works with Pictionary, Trivial Pursuit, Charades, and Twister.
As for New Year’s Eve, I celebrate around the dinner table with my closest friends. My contribution is usually oysters. I like shucking them just as much as I enjoy slurping them, especially with a glass of Champagne. Why wait until midnight to crack the bubble?
Finally, start the year off right. I skip the Polar Bear swim and appreciate the wonders of the sea in the comfort of my own home. This means boiling a crab and dipping the sweet meat in melted butter. Chardonnay is non-negotiable and my first choice is a steely vibrant Chablis.
Cheers to the holidays!
2012 Emiliana, ‘Novas’ Garnacha/Syrah • Cachapoal, Chile • $17.99, BC Liquor Stores
Bright bramble fruit complements the cranberry sauce and dried herbs notes match the stuffing… Who am I kidding? I love this wine and look forward to washing down my turkey sandwich with it on Boxing Day. End of story.
2012 Tar & Roses, Shiraz • Heathcote, Australia • $24.99, BC Liquor Stores
Mouth-filling and dense with plum, blueberry, mint, and chocolate all wrapped up in velvety tannins. Bold enough to bolster your confidence but with a freshness that will keep you alert while participating in whatever your game of choice is.
Torres, 5 Solera Reserva • Brandy, Spain • $27.99, BC Liquor Stores
Rich, raisiny, and nutty. The perfect coffee corrector but equally fabulous on its own.
2012 Château Santenay, Clos de la Chaise • Bourgogne Blanc AOC, France • $34.99, BC Liquor Stores
I typically drink Chablis with my New Year’s Day crab but then this delicious Chardonnay came along. Wow! Peach, pear, and lemon with toasted hazelnuts on the finish.
Le Mesnil, Blanc de Blancs • Brut Champagne AOC, France • $54.99, BC Liquor Stores
One of the least expensive and best value Champagnes out there. Piercing and chalky with tangy citrus zest and fine persistent bubbles. Guaranteed to improve shucking skills. W
