The Key to Mastering the Next Month of Parties, Edition 2:
Essential Holiday Wines and Seasonal Beer and Cocktail Recipe Ideas! – by Gary Cummins, Cooper Wine Consultant
It’s the countdown to Christmas, and we have more great ideas for holiday party gifts, meal/party pairing suggestions and gift baskets. Yes…we make beautiful gift baskets that are hand-curated and perfect for the hard to buy for person…check out these options!
NV Bohigas Brut Reserva Cava (Catalonia,Spain) What is Cava? Spain adopted the word, cava, which technically means ‘cellar’ in Catalan, to describe their sparkling wines made using the traditional method. 90% of Spain’s total production of Cava, Spanish sparkling wine happens within Catalonia, and about 75% is produced within the borders of San Sadurní d’Anoia, inside the smaller Catalan region of Penedès. Grapes allowed for Cava production are Macabeo, Parellada and Xarel.
Cavas Bohigas is a cellar with more than eight centuries of history. Wines have been produced here by the same family since the 1200’s, and Bohigas is well-known throughout Europe as one of Spain’s most beautiful and engaging sparkling wine. Straw yellow in color with golden hues. Aromas of apple and pear coming from the Macabeo and Parellada varieties together with some bakery notes. Small and very persistent bubbles. Organically Farmed Vineyards Vineyards Dreaming of pairing this with a seafood risotto or perhaps a seafood focused Paella. Paella. Coopers Price $18.99 Mixed Case Price $15.19
2021 Domaine Belle Crozes-Hermitage “Les Pierielles (Northern Rhone, France)
Domaine Belle has roots in Hermitage that date back several generations. The estate was founded by Louis Belle in the 1930’s. At the time, the harvest was sold to negociants or the local cooperatives. In fact, Louis Belle became one of the founding members of the now famous Tain l’Hermitage wine-making cooperative. In 1971, that began to change when Domaine Belle, headed by Albert Belle at the time began purchasing additional parcels of vines in the region. 100% Syrah, produced traditionally in temperature controlled closed tanks using whole bunches of grapes and extended maceration. They are then matured in older oak barrels for between 12 and 14 months. “Les Pierrelles” is produced in the commune of Pont de l’Isere on a stony vineyard with poor soils, the wine is relatively forward, with lovely textured tannin and aromas of red fruits. A rich, savory wine, well balanced with dark fruits and subtle spice combined with well-integrated wood. ORGANIC
Food affinities include grilled or roasted red meats, cassoulet, lamb, French onion Soup w/ gruyere cheese topping.
Regular Price $26.99 Coopers Price $19.99 Mixed Case Price $15.99
Colorado Wine Feature
Wild Capture Red Blend From a tiny 1-acre farm in Palisade, a field blend of Syrah, Tempranillo and Riesling. Foot treaded and fermented dry it spent just over a year in neutral French oak. An amazing array of fruit on the palate including summer berries, Asian Pear tart cherries on the palate. Delicious!
Cooper Price $27.99 Mixed Case Price $22.39
New Winter Seasonal Beer Suggestions
Perennial “Abraxas” – An Imperial Stout brewed with ancho chili peppers, cacao nibs, vanilla beans, and cinnamon sticks. Pouring deep brown with a thick head, this beer has a complex body with a delicious lingering roastiness. Abraxas is brewed with unique ingredients intended to challenge and excite the palate. It may be enjoyed right away or allowed to age in the bottle. Vertical tastings when available, are encouraged. $25.99 750ml Holiday Cocktail Recipe
The Christmas Martini
1 ounce Vodka
1 ounce100% Cranberry Juice (not sweetened)
½ ounce Cointreau (or a comparable orange liqueur)
½ ounce Lemon Juice
2 teaspoons Maple Syrup (or simple syrup)
Place Vodka, Cranberry juice, cointreau, lemon juice and simple syrup in a cocktail shaker with ice, shake for 15 seconds until cold. Strain into a traditional cocktail glass.
Have a beautiful holiday season from all of us at Cooper Wine & Spirits
