Club Foody Wine Review – November 30th, 2016

Thanksgiving has come and gone and Christmas is less than a month away. The holidays can be a very busy, stressful and expensive time of the year. You’ve got a good idea what to buy for those people on your Christmas list and you know what you want to serve your guests for dinner. You’ve thought of everything, except the wines you want to serve and you would like to find some great wines at a great price because you have a large group to keep happy with “Christmas Cheer”. Well, you’re in luck! I’ve selected two great, inexpensive wines that will be sure to please your dinner guests and not break your Christmas budget.
 
 
The white wine I’ve chosen is Hardy’s Stamp Series Chardonnay Semillon 2015 – South Australia. A blend of Chardonnay and Semillon grapes, this medium-bodied white has floral, fruit and citrus aromas on the nose. Light straw in color, it has flavors of peach, lime and tropical fruit with a smooth finish. Lightly oaked, this chardonnay pairs well with chicken, salmon or any cream sauce pasta dish. This wine can be found at your local wine store for around $9.00.
 
 
For our red wine, we have Mezzomondo Negroamaro 2014 – Puglia region, Italy. Made from the local Negroamaro grape, this medium-full bodied red has aromas of cherry, dried fruits, pepper and spice. Dark ruby red in color, this wine has flavors of plum, blackberry and spice leading to a long, smooth finish. This wine pairs well with bruschetta, pasta, or roast beef. You can find this wine for around $10.00 at your local wine store.
 
 
It’s December tomorrow and there are so many preparations to do for the festivities. This wine selection can be one less thing to worry about on your busy Holiday “to do” list. These wines can also be enjoyed on their own, another way to take the stress out of this crazy season. Cheers!
 
Francine Lizotte
Wine & Restaurant Aficionado