It’s a burning question that tends to pop up at this time of year: Should you bring wine to a dinner party?
The short answer is “sure,” but it also depends. Contributing wine to a dinner is best done in cahoots with the host. If the tenor of the evening is more casual, then by all means quiz them ahead of time as to what might work best. However, if it’s a more formal evening, better to bring a special bottle as a gift to be put aside for enjoyment later.
Either way, you really can’t go wrong with a bottle of good sparkling wine or Champagne, and perhaps some deluxe chocolates. What to buy? While you don’t need to blow your budget, the more interesting wines may not necessarily be the cheapest. A few dollars more will often yield a just reward. Here’s a trio of contrasting bubbles that cover all the bases.
Mionetto Treviso Brut: Prosecco is on a roll, driving a resurgence in sparkling because of value wines just like this. Classic Prosecco in a snazzy, festive-looking package from a long-established, century-old producer. A steady stream of bubbles and a good mousse with aromas of apple and honey notes that carry through onto the well-structured palate. Excellent value at BCLS $18, but even better at $2 off through December (89 points).
Kim Crawford Fizz: The Kiwis make some excellent bubble. This crisp, citrus-edged sparkling Pinot-Chardonnay comes from small parcels in Awatere Valley and Marlborough at large. A fine stream of bubbles with a solid mousse, definite bready notes with good focus and mineral undertones through a dry close ($30, 90 points).
Or for excellent value in Champagne:
Baron Fuente Grand Millésime 2006: Vintage bubble can be pricy but this blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Meunier and Pinot Noir (from a family whose history in Champagne dates from the 17th century) is one of the best vintage deals going. Look for a mineral subtext with citrus and stone fruit, good mouthfeel and a clean close (BCLS $56, 91 points).
Instead of icewine, consider giving a different style of dessert wine.
A widely available and simply delicious choice, Quails Gate Optima is much less cloying than most ice wine. It sports intense tropical, stone fruit and honeyed notes, and is perfect with blue cheese, nuts, or dessert (BCLS $28).
For a special bottle of red, consider Nk’Mip Cellars Qwam Qwmt Mer’r’iym 2013 (South Okanagan) from Canada’s first aboriginal-owned winery. Intense aromas of mocha, black fruit and leather precede a plush and well-balanced palate of cassis, blueberry and black current supported by firm but approachable and well-integrated tannins before a lingering close ($54, 92 points).
Bringing a less obvious gift, perhaps something new to discover, is always a nice touch.
Amaro Montenegro: Amaro is an Italian variation on brandy, infused with a variety of herbs and spices, sometimes orange peel and more. It’s enjoyed usually as an after-dinner drink and often lives up gently to its Amaro (meaning “bitter”) handle. Amaro Montenegro is superbly perfumed with marmalade notes, orange and honey on the smooth and viscose palate, with a subtle bitter end that makes for a perfect, complex and layered digestif or warming nightcap. A real treat (BCLS $36, 91 points).
Tim Pawsey writes about wine for numerous publications and online as the Hired Belly at hiredbelly.com. Contact: [email protected].
