Wines for the Holidays

 

Pair your holiday menus with these bottles of wines from the Sierra Foothills:

SPARKLING WINES

Avanguardia L’edonista
“The Hedonist” is redolent of established high-end brands, many of them from California subsidiaries of famous European houses (Roederer, Mumm, and Gloria Ferrer) and with some of the best domestic wines (Schramsberg).

Pilot Peak Sparkling Cuvée
Pear and pineapple nuances leap out of this sparkler with lively flavors of crisp green apple on a light lingering finish.

WHITES

Nevada City Winery Gewurztraminer
Spiced, luscious fruit, a depth of flavor, and an ever so slightly sweet yet crisp finish. Enjoy it as an aperitif, with salads, curries or Asian food.

Szabo Sauvignon Blanc
This traditional Sauvignon Blanc begins with a light mineral nose, followed by citrusy notes of tangerine and Kaffir lime.

Lucchesi Sauvignon Blanc
Pair with scallops, oysters, prawns, lighter-textured fish, and wine and cream pasta sauces.

Nevada City Winery 2016 Chardonnay
Featuring lime and tropical fruits framed in a light toasty oak, this Nevada County wine was 50 percent aged in new French oak.

REDS

Sierra Starr Cabernet Franc
This 2015 is rich, dark, and opulent with a wonderful aroma and a nice long finish. This wine shows why Cabernet Franc from this area is destined to be a star.

Iron Hub Winery 2014 Resolute
Aromas of candy-apple cherry and bright berry. The flavors of berry and cherry with sweet oak. Pair with lamb shanks, beef stew, or hearty Italian dishes. Gold-medal winner in the 2018 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition.

Cooper Vineyards 2014 Anniversary
Its first grenache-syrah-mourvèdre blend. Celebrates the 15 wonderful years that owner Dick Cooper and winemaker Michael Roser have spent working in tandem. Gold medal at the 2018 San Francisco Chronicle Tasting Competition.

Andis Estate Vineyard 2015 Barbera
Elegant in texture and concentrated in flavor, this medium-bodied wine has a fresh blackberry and blueberry aromas paired with ripe fruit flavors and an easygoing texture without a lot of tannins.

Montoliva 2014 Aglianico
Aglianico is widely grown in the Basilicata re- gion of Italy. “Best of Class” in the 2018 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition.

DESSERT

Nevada City Winery Dulcinea
This fortified wine—full and deep ruby red with complex chocolate and plum flavors — will pair beautifully with fruit, chocolate and rich cheeses.

Sierra Knolls Chocolate Dessert Wine
Aromas of berry and rose followed by a hint of cedar. Flavors of plum, mocha, spice and oak. Tannins offer nice structure but are smooth and pleasant.