Wine Box Experience - Nikki & Johann

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 Sansonina Garda Evaluna. This wine is a holiday season gem. Its soft, sensual, and luminous in a way that immediately elevates the festivities. Made from a blend of Cab Sauv & Cab Franc grown along the serene shores of Lake Garda, it delivers plush notes of ripe plum, black cherry, violet, and gentle spice, all wrapped in a velvety frame that feels as cozy as a fireside evening. Its smooth tannins and graceful elegance make it a dream pairing for holiday staples like roasted duck, herb-crusted beef, savory pastas, and richly seasoned vegetables. Unwrapping this bottle is like adding a touch of Italian magic to your celebration. Sure to dazzle every guest at the table.

These holidays won’t be complete without the Raats Family Cabernet Franc Dolomite from Stellenbosch. It is the kind of bottle that turns a holiday celebration into something truly unforgettable. With its vibrant red cherry, plum, graphite, and signature herbal lift, this Cab Franc delivers elegance and precision wrapped in festive, aromatic charm. Its bright acidity and finely sculpted tannins make it an exceptional match for holiday dishes like rosemary-studded roasts, glazed ham, mushroom-laden sides, and anything kissed by winter herbs. Polished yet playful, refined yet welcoming, this wine adds a dazzling sparkle to the table, proving that sometimes the season’s brightest star comes in a bottle.

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!