Wine Box Experience - Karen Joiner

Wine (B)Right Like the Holiday Lights

The December holiday season is hopefully a time of abundance with overflowing tables, aromas that feel like home, and glasses raised in celebration. With rich roasted meats, glazed poultry, and decadent side dishes taking center stage, the wines you choose should match the warmth and generosity of the season. Classic choices like Bordeaux blends, Syrah/Shiraz, and Barolo or Barbaresco bring structure, spice, and depth to hearty winter dishes, standing up beautifully to prime rib, roast chicken, honey-baked ham, or herb-stuffed turkey. On the white side, Chardonnay (especially oaked or reserve-tier) and Alsatian whites like Riesling or Pinot Gris offer richness and roundness to complement creamy sauces, gratins, and winter vegetables. These dependable favorites wrap your palate in the same cozy glow that makes this time of year so magical.

Holiday magic, though, thrives on surprises. Which is why this is the perfect season to bring a few wildcards to the feast. A Cahors Malbec offers rustic, old-world charm to pair with game birds and earthy sides. An Aglianico delivers smoky, volcanic intensity that sings alongside lamb or slow-roasted pork. For whites, try a white Rhône blend, a textured Semillon from Bordeaux or Australia, or even a sparkling Rosé, which brings bright fruit and festive bubbles to tables piled high with salty, savory dishes. These lesser-known gems embrace every pairing principle that define holiday cuisine. Most importantly, they bring a sense of discovery and a reminder that celebration with curiosity go hand in hand.

Time to see what’s waiting for us in our boxes this month, the question is whether you were naughty or nice this year to warrant sour grapes or bottled bliss.

First wine to grace the season is the Château de Saint Cosme Côtes du Rhône Les Deux Albion Blanc. This is the ultimate white wine to unwrap when you want your holiday celebrations to truly sparkle. A luxurious Rhône blend bursting with notes of peach, pear, citrus blossom, and gentle spice. It brings both richness and lift in perfect seasonal harmony. Its creamy texture and vibrant acidity make it a stunning companion to holiday classics like roasted poultry, buttery sides, seafood feasts, and creamy winter soups. Classy, aromatic, and irresistibly festive, this bottle doesn’t just join the holiday table… it elevates it! Adding a golden glow to every toast and celebration.

These holidays won’t be complete without the One Stone Cellars Pinot Noir from San Luis Obispo. It’s the kind of holiday-season delight that brings instant charm and luster to any celebration. With its bright red cherry, cranberry, and warm baking-spice notes, this Pinot Noir offers the perfect balance of elegance and approachability. Its silky texture and vibrant acidity make it a natural pairing for holiday favorites like roasted turkey, glazed ham, herb-stuffed chicken, and even mushroom-laden sides. Light enough to keep the festivities lively yet expressive enough to hold its own at the center of the table, this is the bottle that makes every moment shine a little livelier and every toast feel a little warmer.

So as you gather with loved ones, whether around a candlelit dinner, a sprawling family buffet, or a cozy living-room celebration, let your wines be as joyful and generous as the season itself. Pour the classics you adore, sprinkle in a few unexpected treasures, and let your holiday table become a place of exploration, conversation, and cheer. This is the time to uncork boldly, toasting to traditions old and new, and to elevate every festive moment with a glass that steals the spotlight in the very best way possible. Ovations to a luminous December!