Wine Box Experience - Alex Salazar

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 Mariflor Malbec Mendoza. This is the bottle you want to unwrap when the holidays call for something bold, elegant, and downright dazzling. Crafted at high elevation by Michel Rolland, this Malbec delivers a luxurious mix of blackberry, plum, violet, and holiday-ready spice, all wrapped in velvety tannins and a finish that glows like the festive lights. Its richness pairs effortlessly with prime rib, glazed ham, roasted lamb, or any celebratory centerpiece that demands a wine with both backbone and charm. This is the kind of showstopper that turns a holiday dinner into a memorable moment by lifting spirits, elevating the table, and making every toast feel like the main event.

These holidays won’t be complete without the Finca Valpiedra Cantos de Valpiedra Rioja Crianza. It’s the kind of holiday-season treasure that practically begs to be ripped into and shared. With its silky Tempranillo core, layers of dark cherry, baking spices, cedar, and a whisper of vanilla, this wine delivers all the warmth and elegance the celebrations deserve. Its polished tannins and vibrant acidity make it a natural match for roasted poultry, prime rib, holiday hams, and every herb-laced side dish on the table. This is Rioja at its most refined by being radiant, expressive, and guaranteed to make your festive gatherings shine just a little brighter with every pour.

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!