Best Wines To Serve For The Holidays

The holiday season is here! Whether you are hosting a holiday gathering for your friends, family, clients and customers, or employees, serving the right wine is key to a successful food and wine pairing experience for your guests. Here are some tips for the best wines to serve for the holidays.

What kind of wine do you serve at a holiday party?

You never want someone at your party to feel left out, so make sure to serve wine that is recognizable to even those guests who may not be big wine drinkers or too familiar with a lot of varieties of wine. Save that bottle that is a rare and unique blend you keep in the back of your wine fridge for a more intimate experience or a get together with wine aficionados. Instead, serve straight forward wines such as Pinot Grigio and Sauvignon Black for white, and Pinot Noir and Cabernet Sauvignon for reds. These are probably the most common styles of wine and can easily pair with many different foods.

But don’t just serve any Pinot Grigio, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir or Cabernet Sauvignon. Choose wisely. As we have explained to you in previous blog posts, watch out for big name brands that sneak extra sugars and preservatives into their wines. Instead, stick to supporting the smaller batch wines that are owned by family-owned vineyards.

Of course, SYLTBAR fine wines are a top contender. SYLTBAR ones with one family-owned vineyard in Friuli, Italy, but we, the owners of the brand, are your everyday wine lovers. We think and drink like true wine customers, and that is why SYLTBAR wines are so approachable.

Another important thing to note is that SYLTBAR fine wines have a vintage. The vintage, found on a bottle’s label, is the year of the specific season from which the grapes were harvested. This refers to the growing conditions during a season for a winegrower. Weather greatly affects the growing conditions for the grapes, and can result in different tasting notes each year — but that vintage label means it is made from the same grapes from the same year. A wine that uses a blend of multiple grapes, harvested from two or more seasons, is referred to as non-vintage.

What is the best wine for the holidays?

SYLTBAR offers two types of Pinot Grigio, both of which might be a pleasant and new surprise to your holiday guests. The White Linen Pinot Grigio 2020 is light, fresh and clean — but it is a bit more full-bodied than typical mass produced Pinot Grigios seen on the market, and a perfect pairing for that Christmas ham. The Junior Ramato Pinot Grigio 2019 is a different style of Pinot Grigio than you are probably used to. This is a more traditional Pinot Grigio made in the 70s style of macerating the grapes in their own skins overnight. This method results in a darker, more complex white wine that will pair beautifully with two holiday party favorites: charcuterie platters and raw bar.  

Although SYLTBAR does not have a specific Sauvignon Blanc, the Silk Friulano 2019 is very similar. We even call it the ‘Sauvignon Blanc of Italy.’ It’s a delicate and well balanced wine that is sure to delight your white-wine-drinking guests.

For your red-wine-drinking guests that love a good Cabernet Sauvignon, they will absolutely love the Cashmere Cabernet Franc 2019. It has a similar flavor profile, but Cashmere is made from Carmenère grapes so it is less tannic and a little juicier than a typical Cabernet Sauvignon. Our Cashmere is so soft and smooth, and is great to serve with holiday specialties like a pot roast or a meatball appetizer. 

What occasion do you drink Prosecco?

You also are probably wondering about serving sparkling wine at your party. Of course, sparkling wine is the first thing people think of when it comes to special occasions like a holiday celebration — but you don’t need to reserve it just for that! Bubbly is always appropriate!

A good Prosecco or Sparkling Rosé doesn’t need to be reserved for a toast or only poured as a pre-dinner drink. It can be served all night long and pairs just as well with food as any still wine.

We always say that a good Prosecco or Sparkling Rosé should be enjoyed anytime, anywhere. It doesn’t matter the occasion or the time of day or year. That is why we call Mr SYLTBAR Premium Prosecco and Mrs SYLTBAR Sparkling Rosé our Happy, Healthy, Daily Juice. 

As you serve SYLTBAR to your guests at your holiday gatherings this year, remind them that these wines are low in calories, have absolutely no added sugar, sulfites or chemicals, and by drinking, you are supporting a small brand and a family-owned vineyard. That alone is a great holiday gift!

Shop for SYLTBAR still and sparkling wines online at syltbar.com, or look for a wine retailer near you that sells our wines. Your party guests will thank you!