On the Wine Side with Dominique - Picks, Picks and More Picks Wed, Dec 06, 23 The holiday season is upon us, and the store is full of every kind of wine or spirit or cider or mead to give and receive! How to choose wines for every occasion from a special gift to a social gathering to a lazy dinner at home? You probably already have ideas about what you want and need, but remember, we are always here to help, and happy to do so.Another way we try to differentiate things is with our staff picks, so look for bottles with "Staff Pick" tags by them. These are selections that we who work here and have tried a lot especially like. See if your tastes coincide with ours - or try something new.Another option that can be quite satisfying is to shop the Triple Point wines. There are currently 9 of them - a combination of red, white and sparkling wines that are delicious and versatile. In fact, several of them are Staff Picks. They're also part of our "Sourced and Certified" collection of wines and spirits. They're exceptional wines from producers around the world, and we are able to offer them at exceptional prices, too.All of our "Sourced and Certified" green-tag items are an additional 10% off when you buy 6 or more. Wines selected as "Triple Point" earn you three times the Club Card points for your purchase. These wines at this offer are hard to beat. Here's what you'll find: The Reds Vadillo Crianza - This lovely red from northern Spain is perfect for anything from a large party to an easy dinner of leftovers. It's dry and fruity - a wine you can depend on to taste good every glass. No wonder it's one of Andy's Staff Picks!2018 Chateau Moulin de L'Abbaye - A Bordeaux blend from Medoc, comprised of 47% Cabernet Sauvignon, 38% Merlot, and 15% Malbec for a balanced and nuanced wine with character. A Silver Medal winner at the 2020 Concours de Bordeaux, this wine opens up as it breathes, settling into an expressive palate of cassis, cherry, and a hint of licorice.2019 Le Clos d'Augustin - Burgundy is the heartland of Pinot Noir, and this is a great expression of it. Wine Enthusiast describes it as: "Hints of incense and smoke meld into crisp raspberry and red cherry in this brisk, light-bodied red... appealing for the pristine red-berry flavors and lifted acidic edge." This wine pairs perfectly with ham and pork dishes, mushroom risotto, aged cheeses, and other holiday foods. Dominique says, "Mais oui!"Mazzocco Vino Rosso, Brandy Barrel Aged - This lucious red from Sonoma CA, is a blend of 80% Syrah, 15% Zinfandel, and 5% Merlot. This combo is luscious on its own, but aging in a brandy barrel takes it to a whole other level, adding notes of toast and caramel to the black currant and cocoa from the grapes. A big, beautiful wine. The Whites Graham Norton Sauvignon Blanc - Lots of celebrities have their names and reputations on or in the making of adult beverages. Graham Norton is one of them, and his passion for food means he doesn't settle for just anything. This is a classic New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc. Crisp and refreshing.Anxelica Treixadura - Hard to pronounce, but so easy to love. In fact, it's one of Dave's Staff Picks. Treixadura is the grape. This wine is from northern Spain, and as Dave says, it's "very aromatic, with lime, lemon and floral notes. Medium body, well-balanced, with flavors of white peach, lemon, lime and some minerality on the finish." If you're looking to try something new that may become one of your favorites, this wine is a winner.Txapel Dun Txakoli - Another crisp, dry white from the Basque region of northern Spain. It's made from the grape Getariako Txakolina, which yields a bracing, tangy, slightly effervescent wine with bright citrus notes with some minerality. It's light and lively, and at just 11.5% alcohol by volume, it won't slow you down. The Sparkling Real de Aragon Cava - Another Spanish Triple Point wine is this Cava from north-central Spain. Made from 75% Macabbo and 25% Chardonnay, it's a clean and classic Brut (dry) sparkling wine. It's the Staff Pick of Mark Jr., who says, "It's something you can drink all night long, and it pairs perfectly with any food you have. Bring it to your next party and everyone is going to love you."La Gioiosa Prosecco - If you're a fan of Italian Brut Prosecco, you'll want to drink this one - probably often and with others! The aroma is fruity and flowery with hints of ripe golden apple. This is one of Caitlin's Staff Picks. She says, "A great Prosecco at a great price! I enjoy this one because it has the nice stone fruit notes I like in a dry-style Prosecco. It's also light and lovely in the glass, making it perfect to drink on its own or in a mimosa or other sparkling wine cocktail. You really can't go wrong with any or all of these Triple Point wines - and you'll enjoy the extra Club Card points with your purchase, too.My colleagues and I have lots of other ideas about wines that make great gifts for any and all the wine lovers on your list. Please seek us out if you need any help at all. And stay tuned for more recommendations On the Wine Side!Cheers!- Dominique By Tyler Duma
