HOUSTON – Need a last-minute gift idea?
You can never go wrong with a nice bottle of wine, and you can find the perfect bottle for everyone on your list this holiday season.
Wanda Cole-Nicholson, an advanced sommelier, shares her top recommendations with Houston Life’s Tessa Barrera.
She’s covered it all - from a non-alcoholic option to the classic Chardonnay, even something to splurge on for the wine collector in your life.
For someone already taking part in Dry January or for those who don’t drink alcohol, Wanda recommends Giesen 0% Sparkling Brut. This alcohol-removed sparkling wine offers tasting notes of white grapefruit, fresh lemon and white peach. It retails for $21.99.
The next pick is for your friend who likes a dry white wine. It’s the 2021 Bodyguard Chardonnay by Daou. There’s tasting notes of pineapple, yellow apple, lemon curd, vanilla bean and cinnamon toast. It pairs well with holiday meals like Macaroni and cheese, mashed potatoes, roasted meats, and fish. The bottle retails for $40.
For the aspiring wine maker in your life, the organically produced 2021 Gérard Bertrand Orange Gold Blend is perfect. It has tasting notes of yellow apple, apricot skins, sweet mandarin, and edible nasturtium flowers. It was made to pair with cheese. The bottle retails for $21.99.
From gold to reds, the red wine enthusiast in your life might like the 2021 Davis Bynum Pinot Noir. There’s tasting notes of ripe red plums, cherry, cranberry, pomegranate and orange zest. Wanda likes to pair this with meat and cheese, especially pepper jack. The bottle retails for $50.
Wanda saved the wow wine for last. It’s the 2018 Rockaway Cabernet Sauvignon from Alexander Valley. This particular wine is for your collector. It has tasting notes of cassis and red plum. It pairs well with meat and retails for around $90.
CLICK HERE to connect with Wanda and learn more about her local wine picks.