by David Haley
Okay, you have waited, like me, to make the last minute wine purchases. No fear: the legwork is done! Here are 18 easy to find wines will make great gifts for friends and family.
Sparkling wine and Champagne
Great values exist in the ten to fifteen dollar range in sparkling wine. If you want to splurge, Champagne is always a welcome item around the holidays.
Segura Viudas Brut NV (Spain) Excellent value, dry, lively, and fresh $10.00
Nino Franco Prosecco “Rustico” NV (Italy) A bit less dry than the Segura Viudas Brut, with melon and honey on the finish. Very good. $12.00
Saint-Hilaire Semi Sweet 2004 (France) Sweeter than Prosecco but never cloying. Delicious with fruit, cheese, or as an after dinner celebration. $12.00
Mumm Cuvee Napa Brut NV One of the top California sparklers. A fruity, balanced blend of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Very versatile. $21.00
Pol Roger Brut NV (France) Top quality producer. Elegant, rich and yeasty with tiny bubbles. $35.00
White Wines
Caymus Conundrum 2005 Tremendous blend of Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and Muscat Canelli. Great with food. $20.00
Riesling St Urbans-Hof 2005 Germany Medium bodied with rich intensity. Very yummy. $16.00
Sauvignon Blanc Hanna Russian River Slusser Road 2006 A California staple. Cool growing area that develops flavors of melon and pear. Long satin finish. $17.00
Chardonnay Merryvale 2005 Stanly Ranch Napa Well balanced, lots of ripe fruit. Oak aged 15 months in French barrique (French oak barrels). $23.00
Red Wines
Château Capion 1C Rouge 2005 l'Hérault-France A blend of 35% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Syrah, 20% Cabernet Franc, 15% Merlot. Barrel aged for 14 months. Dark blackberry and cherry flavors. $13.00
Bodegas Montecillo Reserva 2001 (Spain) 100% Tempranillo: soft but structured with vanilla and oak in ample supply. $18.00
Bogle Phantom 2004 (California) Excellent gift wine. Old Vine Zin, Mouvedre, Petite Sirah $15.00
Ridge Zinfandel Lytton Springs 2005 $36.00
For the Boss!
Good Boss: Clos De Los Siete Argentina 2005 Malbec, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon blend $17.00
Great Boss: Estancia Meritage Red 2004 25.00 or Calera Chardonnay Mt. Harlan 2006 $27.00
Awesome Boss: Austin Hope Syrah 2004 Paso Robles Concentrated and refined $45.00
Boss who promoted you this year! Dominus 2004 Napa Valley $130.00
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As president of Haley Marketing Group, a New England based wine brokerage, David Haley travels to wine regions around the world to discover exceptional wine values. (He calls it work, but that’s debatable.) His background in wine spans sixteen years in the wholesale and wine import business with some of the most prestigious importers in America.
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