The best bottles of wine for your holiday meal

By Rich Mauro

Good wine dramatically enhances enjoyment of every meal. Every year, whether it’s Christmas or New Year’s, I spend almost as much time deciding which wines to serve with our holiday dinner as the rest of my family does preparing the meal.

I prefer American made wines for these holiday gatherings. They always match the variety present at the table, whether it’s a traditional turkey roast or something more creative.

Whatever wines you ultimately choose, and any of these would make a wonderful choice, be sure to take time this holiday season to raise a glass with friends or family and appreciate the goodness in your glass, on the table and in each other.

RIESLING
Perfect to start with, a good Riesling is enticingly aromatic with bracing acidity and typically green apple, citrus and stone fruit flavors. All are slightly sweet unless otherwise indicated:

• 2010 Chateau St. Michelle Dry ($9), Riesling ($9), Harvest Select ($10)
• 2010 Snoqualmie Winemaker’s Select (sweet, $10)
• 2010 Pacific Rim Dry ($10), Riesling ($10), Sweet ($10)

GEWURZTRAMINER
I especially like Gewürztraminer as an aperitif or paired with appetizers, because the grape’s typical spiciness adds complexity that helps the wine match with earthy flavors. The wines below are just slightly sweet and each is an exceptional value:

• 2009 Hogue Columbia Valley ($10)
• 2010 Snoqualmie “Naked” ($12) organic grapes
• 2010 Columbia Crest “Two Vines” ($8)

 SAUVIGNON BLANC
The zesty green fruits and distinctive herbaceousness of Sauvignon Blanc enable this wine to pair with multiple courses. These two are perennial favorites:

• 2010 Grgich Hills “Fumé Blanc” Napa Valley ($30)
• 2010 Matanzas Creek Sonoma County ($20)

PINOT NOIR
For the reds, I like Pinot Noir for its versatility. Its most common flavors – cherry, plum, cranberry, blueberry, brown spices and earthy/mushroom notes – are much like the various flavors on the typical holiday table.

• 2009 Carmel Road Monterey ($20) smooth texture, firm palate
• 2009 La Crema Russian River Valley  ($40) dark fruit, structured
• 2009 Cherry Pie “Stanly Ranch” Carneros ($50) intense fruit, full body

 ZINFANDEL
If you prefer more outgoing, strongly flavored reds, I suggest Zinfandel, the so-called All-American wine. The grape’s bright raspberry blackberry, and black cherry fruit, peppery spice and brash, generous character hold up well next to a variety of flavors.

• 2009 Kendall-Jackson Vintner’s Reserve ($16)
• 2009 Edmeades Mendocino County ($20)
• 2008 Dutcher Crossing Bernier-Sibary Vineyard ($39)