I’m dreaming of a White Christmas – a table beautifully set, filled with white delicious wines. As much as I love red wines, whites tend to be lower in alcohol which is especially helpful when you have a busy day of prepping and entertaining. If you’re not hosting, it’s still nice to have more energy for all the fun holiday festivities.
For a beautifully set table and home for the holidays (and all seasons), I buy all decorations at Wallingford Farm in Kennebunk, Maine. They have the finest quality balsam for wreaths, centerpieces, kissing balls, and Christmas trees.
Wallingford Farm, Est. 1804, is a full service garden center with a 200-year-old Manor House and historic barns. The property is listed on the National Register. Every visit turns into a fun adventure. There’s so much to see and do. Visit www.wallingfordfarm.com.
For white wines, the following wines can be found at your local wine shop and online. Prices may vary.
Here’s a list of some my favorite whites tasted throughout the year.
2017 Pio Cesare Cortese di Gavi DOCG, Italy
This 100% Cortese (indigenous grape in Piedmont) opens with fresh lemon fragrances and flavors of ripe fruit finishing smooth and silky. The wine is versatile enough to go from hors d’oeuvres before dinner through the main course. $22
2017 Alma Rosa El Jabali Chardonnay, California
Full-bodied, rich and creamy, with aromas and flavors of citrus and stone fruit, leaving a lovely round aftertaste. $45
2017 Bucci Verdicchio Classico Superiore dei Castelli di Jesi DOC, Italy
Made from 100% Verdicchio grapes this wine has a pleasantly fruity bouquet, with aromas of green apples and almonds. Pairs nicely with pasta, fish, risotto, white meat, and mild cheeses. $23.99
2017 Cambria Estate Winery Katherine’s Vineyard Chardonnay, California
Clean and crisp with aromas of citrus and peach followed by green apple flavors. $22
2016 Cambria Estate Winery Tepusquet Viognier, California
Bright citrus flavors and aromas of poached pear, lemon curd, baking spices with notes of orange blossom finish fresh and crisp. $27
2018 Domaine Bousquet Chardonnay, Argentina
100% Chardonnay this unoaked wine reflects the freshness of its terroir with citrus aromas overlapping with mango fruit flavors. $13
2018 Elena Walch Sauvignon Vigna “Castel Ringberg” Alto Adige DOC, Italy
An elegant well balanced 100% Sauvignon Blanc with fresh floral aromas followed by rich flavors of citrus and peach. $20
2017 Familia Pasqua Romeo & Juliet Passione Sentimento Bianco, Italy
100% Garganega (the same grape used in Soave) produces an elegant white wine with a creamy texture that has tropical aromas and almond peach flavors. $16
2017 La Crema Russian River Valley Chardonnay, California
Lush with good acidity this Chardonnay wine has citrus style aromas and lush flavors of pear, vanilla and almond butter. $25
2018 Mt. Beautiful Sauvignon Blanc, New Zealand
A classic Sauvignon Blanc that has floral aromas and tropical fruit flavors that sustain a smooth balance with each sip. The perfect standalone, welcome wine. $15
2016 Red Car Estate Chardonnay Fort Ross-Seaview, California
Rich with good acidity this exquisite Chardonnay has citrus aromas and lush flavors pineapple, vanilla and cream. $62
Happy Holidays!
JoAnn Actis-Grande travels to many great wine regions all over the world writing about wine, travel, and curious lifestyles. She lives in Portsmouth and can be reached by email [email protected]. Find more of her Let’s Talk Wine columns online at www.seacoastonline.com/topics/Lets-talk-wine and/or at her website with blog www.winejag.com.