Holiday Gift Guide - Sommelier Edition
The holidays are upon us, give the gift of a sommelier curated bottle of Wine!
We've compiled a curated selection of wines and wine accessories hand-picked by our in-house award winning sommeliers. Whether you're searching for the perfect bottle to grace your holiday table, a thoughtful gift, or a unique way to elevate your next gathering, we've got you covered.
Sommelier, Jake Borg
2022 Envinate “Benje” Blanco - $39
One of the first producers I fell in love with when I first got into wine. Envinante (meaning ‘wine yourself’) is the work of four friends exploring ancient terroir and indigenous varieties across Spain and the Canary Islands. This bottling is all old-vine, hand-harvested Listan Blanco from Tenerife — expect smoky, volcanic minerality wrapped around a fresh, saline white wine!
2021 Kistler "Les Noisetiers" Sonoma Coast Chardonnay - $85
The holidays simply aren’t complete without a bottle or two of Chardonnay. This one from renowned Sonoma winemaker, Steve Kistler, draws inspiration from the great wines of Burgundy. The result is an elegant, rich, and fruited wine, with a strong mineral backbone. Try it with buttery fish or chicken — if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.
2021 Mee Godard Morgon Cote du Py - $60
Since 2013, Mee Godard, a Korean one woman show, has been making some of the most exciting wines in Beaujolais; she meticulously prunes, farms, and runs the cellar all by herself. These wines tend towards more body and structure than one might expect from Gamay, but they bring all the delicious fruit and spice of the best Beaujolais! Pair it with things like roast duck or hearty, savory vegetable dishes.
Master Sommelier, Michaël Engelmann
2022 William Downie Pinot Cathedral - $47
I've been tasting his wines for over 10 years now and have always enjoyed them; a consistent and soulful range. Coming from various vineyards in Victoria, Australia; expect juicy wild berries fruit with a fleshy palate, perfect with a Christmas ham or on its own!
2020 Bretaudeau Muscadet Gabbro - $39
Certified organic and biodynamic fruit made by this visionary producer results in a pure, textured wine with a long mineral finish. Muscadet and fresh seafood is cliché but works for a reason! Try your finest seafood tower or perhaps some seared Maine scallops with it.
2017 Olivier Riviere Trotamundos Pie Franco - $48
Made by a French guy in northern Spain using ungrafted tempranillo vines planted in 1892; this is rich, full bodied and decadent. The perfect pairing for a dry aged ribeye or game dish!
Sommelier and Owner, Richard Hargreave
2022 Jean-Pierre Robinot 'Les Annees Folles' - $48
If you are looking for something to drink before the Turkey lunch, this is it. Under his iconic L'Opera des Vins label, Jean-Pierre Robinot is considered one of the godfathers of the natural wine movement in the Loire Valley. Like the winemaker, his wines are idiosyncratic, wild and free. This is is a sparkling rosé wine made by Jean-Pierre Robinot in the Loire Valley of France. It is a blend of Chenin Blanc and Pineau d'Aunis, and is fermented in stainless steel tanks with a second fermentation in bottle. The wine is a pale pink color with delicate bubbles. It has aromas of red fruit, citrus, and white flowers. The palate is dry and refreshing, with flavors of strawberry, raspberry, and pear.
2022 Phelan Farm 'Autrement' Central Coast California - $72
A new project from world-renowned sommelier Rajat Parr, this wine is an homage, including the name itself, to a cult wine of the Savoie from Jacques Maillet. Maillet no-longer makes his Alpine red blend of Gamay, Mondeuse and PInot Noir, so this rare blend of varietals has had a figurative passing of the torch to Raj. His version does justice to the original of Maillet's, Autrement is a medium-bodied wine that could be served with a slight chill, and shows all the classic hallmarks you would expect, crunch red fruit, subtle pepper and spice notes, and a cooling mineral freshness binding it all together. I can see this wine becoming a Californian cult classic over the coming years.
2020 Montesecondo Chianti Classico - $37
Cooler months open up a drinking window for warm reds that have been tucked away over the Summer months. Chianti, and the Sangiovese varietal as a whole is at its best here, perfect for cold nights and rich foods that warm the palate and the soul. The Montesecondo estate, located in the San Casciano zone of Chianti Classico, has been producing wine for generations. The family's dedication to biodynamic farming practices ensures the quality of the grapes and the sustainability of the land, not as common a practice as you would think in Tuscany! Vibrant red fruit notes abound: Cherry, raspberry, and plum, bind earthy and savory elements: leather, tobacco, and dried herbs complement the fruit. If Turkey is a pass on Christmas day, this is the wine for beef or lamb dishes.
Already have your wine covered?
Custom wine accessories make the perfect Stocking Stuffer or Secret Santa for all! Featuring our Future Vagabond custom Baggu wine totes that can fit up to 3 bottles of wine, our beautiful gold Underdog Wine Keys, branded Underdog trucker hats and custom hand poured Santal candles, you can't go wrong.
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We hope our wine guide has inspired you to find the perfect gift for your loved ones this season. As you raise a glass to celebrate the season, remember that the most cherished gifts are often those shared with friends and family. May your holidays be filled with joy, warmth, and of course, delicious wines!
Happy Holiday's from all of us at Underdog!