Merry Christmas from California Wine Country!
In this episode of Wine Oh TV, Monique Soltani checks in with the who’s who of wine country to see how they are celebrating the season.
They share everything from their favorite holiday traditions, to which bottles of wine they are breaking out on the big day from Beaujolais Crus Gamay to bubbles all the way!
Here’s What some of our favorite Napa Valley Wine Oh’s are drinking on Christmas Day!
Michael Mondavi:2016 Animo Sauvignon Blanc $65
Why? Because Rob secretly planted this 100% Sauvignon Blanc vineyards without telling his dad at their Oso vineyard from cuttings taken from the oldest surviving Sauvignon Blanc vineyard in North America.This small lot barrel fermented style is made testament to the old Fume Blancs that Michael and his father created at Robert Mondavi Winery.
Dina Mondavi: 2016 Emblem Chardonnay $35
Marks the family’s premier voyage into the other side of the Mayacamas, in the Petaluma Gap of the Sonoma Coast. Aromatics of freshly cut green apple, citrus and firm green pear provide the backbone of the wine’s character. Flavors of crisp fruit, apples, red pears. Lemongrass and subtle vanilla warmth along with new French oak provides for soft textures.
Rob Mondavi Jr.: 2014 Emblem Cabernet Sauvignon $35
The genesis of Emblem Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon is in the Michael Mondavi Family Vineyards, nestled along the North-eastern hillsides of Napa Valley high above St Helena. The wine exudes aromas of freshly muddled boysenberries, warm vanilla bean and toasty cardamom. The palate is coated with rich tannins and dark fruits of plum and ripe dark brambly berries.
Janice Mondavi: 2016 CK Mondavi and Family Cabernet Sauvignon $6.99
CK Mondavi and Family wines are family-owned and produced in the Napa Valley by the iconic C. Mondavi & Family. A large portion of the grapes in CK Mondavi and Family wines are grown on the family’s 1,850 acres of vineyards, the family sources additional fruit from many key growers in California. The majority of these growers have been partners with C. Mondavi & Family for generations and work with the winery to ensure that all CK Mondavi and Family wines are consistent, vintage-to-vintage. The 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon displays deep red and black fruit flavors; it’s rich with a medium to full bodied mouthfeel and ends with a velvety finish. It is a true crowd pleaser and a delicious, everyday wine and is the perfect pairing to a fantastic cheese and salumi plate this holiday season.
Caroline Stewart Guthrie: 2014 Stewart Cellars ‘Tartan’ Red Blend $40
This is the first vintage of the Tartan red blend for Stewart Cellars. It is a lovely and complex Cabernet Sauvignon based blend that is jam packed with aromas of cherry, dark mint chocolate, and hints of cinnamon. Along with subtle hints of dried fig and spice on the palate, the Tartan red blend really is the perfect wine paired with your favorite Christmas meal. They will also be pouring the 2013 R FIVE Syrah by Kieran Robinson Wines. Being a small family wine brand themselves, Stewart Cellars makes it their mission to also support other family owned wineries, and this Syrah is a delicious and beautifully crafted addition to the Tartan blend to enjoy this holiday season.
Should you decide to Go with Gamay on Christmas Day here’s some pairing advice from our friends at Beaujolais Crus
