Christmas is coming and the buying season for the people you love, and some you don’t even like, has begun. In your headlong rush to get those gifts, one person is always forgotten, Santa Claus.
Fine, you leave him some hot chocolate, which you put out long before his arrival and is ice cold by midnight, and some cookies baked by Aunt Mary, who you know is a rotten baker. Why not a glass of wine? It has just enough alcohol in it to warm those old bones and can add a little more red to his already rosy cheeks, but not enough for to get him a DUI.
While you are shopping for Santa's libation, you may want to get wines for those on your Christmas gift-giving list.
First a list for those who like dry wines.
Robert Mondavi 2011 Napa Valley Chardonnay ($19)For lovers of chardonnay or dry white wines in general, this is a terrific and affordable wine and will show your consideration of the recipient.
Robert Mondavi 2011 Napa Valley Pinot Noir ($26)It is our opinion that the Robert Mondavi pinot noirs are at the apex of the variety produced in this country in each of the price categories. They will be a very much appreciated gift
Ecco Domani 2011 Pinot Grigio Delle Venezie ($10) This Italian masterpiece is sure to delight.
Louis M Martini 2010 Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon ($30)Wines made from Alexander Valley grapes are always welcome by cabernet sauvignon drinkers. If there is one on your list, this wine can be the perfect gift.
Apothic White ($13)Inexpensive enough to be a stocking stuffer, provided the recipient has big feet, this wine is an absolute knockout. It is a full-flavored blend that presents everything that red wine drinkers love.
Now, a list for the sweet wine enthusiasts.
Sequin 2012 Moscato ($12)This sweet, fruity wine happens to be one of the best sweet wines we have tasted in a long while.
There are also the Sequin 2012 Rose ($12) and the Sequin 2012 Pinot Grigio ($12) which could make up a very nice gift threesome.
Ballatore Gran Spumante and Ballatore Moscoto Rose ($10)From the home of the moscato grape, Italy, come these two sweet sparkling wines. The Ballatore wines are the absolute perfect gift to bring to a Christmas dinner.
Turning Leaf ($8)Turning Leaf makes a wide selection of sweet wines, so there should be no problem finding one that will be enjoyed by the recipient.
There are red sweet wines, rose sweet wines and white sweet wines, so you can pick a color that will impress the recipient. They make a beautiful, enjoyable and affordable gift.
Allegro Cellars ($10+)Riesling wines have long been popular with sweet wine drinkers because they are not only sweet, but display great depth and finesse.
A fine example is the Allegro Cellars Riesling Allegro ($12). They also make two other sweet wines, Pink Moscato Allegro and White Moscato Allegro, both priced around $10.
Hand Craft ($13)For those who like wine in between both styles, there is a brand new style that will please both sweet and dry wine aficionados - the wines of Hand Craft Vineyards.
Hand Craft makes two wines, Inspiration White and Inspiration Red ($13). Both of these wines are fruity sweet without being overly sugary. They are full-flavored, big, bold wines that will introduce this new style in grand fashion.
Nixa resident Bennet Bodenstein is a wine columnist and manages ArticlesOnWine.com. He can be reached at frojhe1@att.net.
