Planning a holiday dinner this season? Our good friend, Co-owner of Cuvee Wine Table and Master Sommelier, Scott Harper, shares his tips and tricks for selecting the perfect wine and staying within your budget.
The date is set, the guest list is done. Food seemed to be the most difficult thing to figure out, but you finally settled on a menu. And then you think, what about the wine?
White or Red?
Depending on your group and the menu being served, you will want to consider the right proportion of red to white wine. If your menu or group is weighted more towards white wine, choose more white, but if not, while it is almost impossible to predict the right proportion, a good rule of thumb is 40% white to 60% red.
How much do I need?
A bottle of wine is 25.4 ounces, which is about four to five glasses depending on the portion you pour. If you consider two or three glasses of wine per person, you will need about a bottle of wine for every two people. So, to find out how many bottles to get, divide your guest count in two, round up, and you should be in good shape. I like to keep a case or two on hand just in case. (A case of wine is 12 bottles.)
Which wines should I choose?
Here are some great wines that are sure to please your guests and be easy on your wallet.
White: Grüner Veltliner Gobelsberg Schlosskellerei Kamptal, Niederösterreich, Austria, 2016
Right now, Austria is making some of the best dry white wines in the world, and the wines are great values. Don’t be afraid of this wine because of its Germanic name; the wine is rich, but dry and mineraly. The Castle (Schloss in German), where the wine is produced, dates back to 1074. It has housed everything from monks to French World War II prisoners. Now it has been refurbished and is a wine making estate.
Red: Gundlach‑Bundschu, “Mountain Cuvée”, Sonoma Valley, California, 2014
This vineyard was founded by Jacob Gundlach in 1852 when he purchased 400 acres in Sonoma, California, and called it “Rhinefarm.” Eventually, Charles Bundschu married into the family and joined the winery, renaming it Gundlach‑Bundschu. Today, it is still owned and run by the Bundschu family. This wine is a Bordeaux-style blend of 56% Merlot, 41% Cabernet Sauvignon, 2% Malbec, and 1% Petit Verdot. Aged in oak, it is a rich, full-bodied wine.
Cheers to you and yours this holiday season!
If you want to learn more about wine, consider joining the Monthly Cuvee Wine Club. Wines are procured by Scott himself. Call 502-242-5200 for more information.
