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By The Glass Roberto Viernes |
New Year’s Eve is a
time to indulge yourselfI know some of you can't look past tomorrow, Christmas, but don't forget about next week, and New Year's Eve, that wonderfully joyous occasion that brings friends and family together. What will you celebrate with? Whether it's champagne this year, a special white wine you were curious about, or maybe even a big red that you've been dying to try, this is the time to splurge. What better way to celebrate this year and the year to come?
If you're like the majority of wine drinkers across the world, you will be drinking fine bubbly on New Year's Eve. What could be more festive than a bottle of champagne? The pop of the cork, the bubbles fluttering in an elegant fluted glass, are all signs of fun and style. Not to mention, champagne goes so well with many different foods: smoked salmon, ahi dip, poke and even salty potato chips.
Many people are familiar with the household names of Moet et Chandon, Veuve Clicquot and Louis Roederer. These are all fine makers of champagne, but how about trying something different and exciting? One of my favorites is Billecart Salmon Brut Reserve ($32). If you like champagnes that are elegant, smooth, but rich and inviting, you should definitely get a bottle of this.
Perrier Jouet Grand Brut ($32) is also lovely. Known for its hand-painted "fleur" bottle ($125), this producer also makes a "little" brother that is no slouch, beautifully buiscuity, with lemongrass and flowery nuances. And if you like champagne that's even lighter and citrusy, I recommend Pommery Brut Royal ($32).
Of course, if you really want to spoil yourself, you could opt for a bottle of Dom Perignon ($120), Cristal ($150) or La Grand Dame ($125). Now that's a party!
If champagne is just too "brut" for you, or just isn't your glass of wine, how about some new and fabulous finds? Neyers is making some terrific wines from the Napa Valley. Ehren Jordan, Neyers' winemaker, also makes the wines at Turley. The 2002 Neyers Chardonnays ($24) are not to be missed. The Napa is a touch more tropical than the Carneros version, but both are bursting with rich fruit and beautifully intense flavor.
Here's another name to remember: Fred Scherrer. His 2001 Scherrer Fort Ross Vineyard Chardonnay ($25) is as pretty a chardonnay as you will find. It is so elegant and full of finesse, it will seduce you into pouring yourself another glass as the fireworks are going off.
Scherrer also makes one of the most beautiful zinfandels in all of California, the 2001 Scherrer Old and Mature Vine Zinfandel ($26). If you like wines with velvety texture and wonderfully jammy fruit, you won't be disappointed. It doesn't have the over-extracted, big alcohol of some zins, but it also won't put you to bed before the fireworks are over.
Those who prefer a killer cabernet -- but who can't afford Opus One ($160), Caymus Special Select ($130) or Joseph Phelps Insignia ($125) -- look no further than the 2000 Kamen Cabernet Sauvignon ($45). It's actually from a mountain-top vineyard in Sonoma, but just kills Napa cabernets in blind tastings.
The Kamen is full of cassis and currant flavor with a plush, mouth-filling texture and incredible flavor. Serve it with grilled steaks and put a chardonnay with your congee or jook (rice porridge), and your family will declare you an expert on food and wine.
No matter what you drink this New Year's Eve, make it memorable and celebrate. To quote the samurai in Tom Cruise's "The Last Samurai," "Live life with every breath." I would add, "and with every glass."
Cheers. Have a safe and happy new year!
Roberto Viernes is wine educator for Southern Wine and Spirits
This column is a weekly lesson in wine pairing written by a rotating panel of wine professionals. Write to features@starbulletin.com