With the end of the year almost upon us there are a lot of people that will be having New Years Eve parties on the 31st of December. If you are one of the people having a get together to mark the end of the year, and the beginning of the New Year, or any party for that matter, Here are some ideas on what wine you might want to serve.
First, there is the traditional Champagne. This is always a safe and easy answer. These can range in price from inexpensive to very expensive. There is sure to be one that fits into your budget without breaking the bank… There are a couple of label notes that you will want to know:
Brut: If this is on the label, the wine is really dry.
Extra Dry: This is really not quite as dry as Brut, but is still dry
Demi-sec: This is actually “Half-sweet” which is sweet enough for most people and a safe bet.
Doux: This means that it is sweet, period.
Second: Ice Wine. This wine is made from grapes that have been left on the vine until they are like raisins. Then the wine maker waits until the first really cold night when the frost freezes them. The pickers go into the vineyards and harvest the grapes while they are frozen. The frozen grapes are processed ever so gently so that just the sweet juice of the grape is released, while the water stays’ behind and does not make it into the finished product. If you are a fan of sweet, dessert wines, then this is a choice to look into. It is a little on the expensive side, due to the work involved, but worth it. These make a dessert after a meal, without anything else. Well, perhaps some nice fresh strawberries.
Third: Sauternes: These are among the Great wines and can range in price from fairly inexpensive to down right very expensive. Try finding a Chateau d’ Yquem for under $500. If you ever have the chance to taste this one, don’t pass it up. It is heaven in a glass. That said, you can find Sauternes starting around $30 and going up. They are produced using the Sauvignon Blanc and the Semillion grapes that have been kissed with botrytis cinerea or noble rot. Don’t worry, it is a desirable mold that forms on the plant and shrivels the grape. The resulting wine is a labor of love. The flavor ranges from peach and apricot to vanilla and pineapple with a touch of crème brulee tossed in.. While these wines are only aged in the barrel for three and a half years, they should remain in the bottle for quite some time longer. Some of these can age in the bottle for 50 to 60 years, and with proper storage, just get better and better. Note: the correct spelling on the bottle is Sauternes with an “s” on the end of the word. If it does not have that “s” you will be getting a semisweet wine that does not come close to the real thing.
Fourth: Port or Porto. This is a fortified wine, which means they have the addition of grape brandy added to them. This increases the alcohol present in the finished product. Port is made sweet because the Brandy is added during fermentation, which cuts short the process, resulting in a sweeter finish. There are many different Porto’s, they are;
Ruby Port: Crimson or ruby in color, this is the least expensive and is good in recipes calling for port.
Tawny Port: These go from inexpensive to expensive. They are produced from a blend of many grapes and can be aged in wood for up to 40 years. When you see the 10, 20, 30 or 40 on the bottle that is telling you how many years it matured before being bottled. Naturally, as the number increases so does the price.
Vintage Ports: These are regarded as the best of the Ports. They are produced from a single vintage of grapes, and because not every year is a vintage year, they are rarer than the others. They are also aged in the bottle and can be up to 50 years old. This is a case where proper storage is very important.
Late Harvest: This is a catch all term that includes, Riesling, Gewurztraminer, Semillion, and Chenin Blanc. These wines are made from grapes picked at the end of the harvest season. Sometimes these grapes will be botrytis but even when they don’t, just the fact that they stayed on the vine longer, will result in a sweeter grape, thus a sweeter wine. The price range is all over the place on these, and a little try until you find the one you like, is called for. Some, like a late harvest Riesling will have a low alcohol content, without effecting the flavor. This might be a good choice where the party is going last for a while and you want to guests to last also.
Born and raised in the Northern California wine country, William Chaney is a retired Chef and Wine Connoisseur who enjoys sharing his knowledge of food and wine through his web site and blogs. You can visit http://WineLoversSecrets.com to read more about wines with food and to sign up for his wine newsletter. He also offers a source for wine related gift items you might consider for those special occasions or just because it is always fun to give gifts when they are least expected.
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