December 18, 2025
Charlotte wine experts pick their holiday favorites
Five area purveyors give you their red, white, and sparkling selections
by TM Petaccia
If you are setting a jolly table or scrambling for a last-minute gift for the wine lover on your list, the holidays are the perfect excuse to think a little more deliberately about what’s in the glass. From weeknight gatherings to milestone meals, wine has a way of anchoring celebration and conversation alike. To help narrow the field, we asked five Charlotte-area champions of the grape to share the bottles they are reaching for this yuletide season. From reds to whites to bubbles, these wines are crowd-pleasing, food-friendly, and gift-worthy selections that reflect the season and the people who know how to capture the festive spirit with wines meant to be shared, savored, and enjoyed to make memorable moments.
Sam Bilski, Bond Street Wines
Eastover-Myers Park
Red: Manuel Marinacci Langhe Nebbiolo “Tango” Langhe Nebbiolo | $32.99
Bilski’s notes: “Named in honor of Manuel’s mother, ‘Tango’ is a blend of Nebbiolo and a rare grape called Freisa. The wine comes from a 10-acre organic vineyard in Barbaresco, Italy, where Manuel takes extreme pride in cultivating the area’s grape varietals. Tango is bright and fresh with notes of cherry and just a touch of earth. Makes a perfect accompaniment for any dinner party or a date night with cheese, wine, and your couch.”
White: Domaine Blanc et Fils Apremont de Willy (Chilly Willy) | $21.99
Bilski’s notes: “This wine is a bit of a favorite around the shop and for good reason. This wonderful little white wine hails from the French Alps and is made from the Jacquere grape variety. It’s amazingly complex yet approachable with a dry, pleasant minerality and fruity aromatics. I always keep coming back to this wine for any occasion.”
Sparkling: Champagne Christian Etienne Millésimé Brut La Cote du Mare – Vintage 2008 | $72.99
Bilski’s notes: “One of the best Champagne vintages ever! We are very fortunate to be able to offer this absolutely gorgeous Champagne from Christian Etienne. The base is a blend of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay and has pleasant notes of dried fruits, lemon peel, and just a little brioche toast. It is elegant, crisp, and is sure to impress no matter the guest.”
Terrell Johnson, Omakase by Prime Fish
(selections available at the adjacent Prime Fish Cellar)
Cotswold
Red: Tenuta Scerscè Sforzato di Valtellina Infinito 2019 | $110
Johnson’s notes: “This nebbiolo is crafted using Amarone-like appassimento techniques, with late-harvested grapes dried off the vine for two months to build a ripe, rich body. Framed by an alpine freshness, it’s a cozy red for the cold weather.”
White: Rudi Pichler Gruner Veltliner Terrassen 2024 | $75
Johnson’s notes: “A classic gruner veltliner executed to the highest degree. Hand-harvested, foot-crushed, and fermented in stainless steel. Savory and spicy with stone fruit, lemon, white pepper, and crisp minerality. It offers a fresh, food-friendly choice for the holiday table.”
Sparkling: Bollinger PN AYC 18 | $172
Johnson’s notes: “A 100% pinot noir cuvée sourced primarily from the Aÿ cru blends a 2018 base with reserve wines dating back to 2009. It delivers a concentrated, richly layered style. Notes of honey, quince, marzipan, orange, and mint make it a perfect celebratory holiday champagne.”
Mark Meissner, Petit Philippe
Madison Park-Park Road
Red: Mark Ryan “The Dissident” Cabernet Sauvignon 2023 | $55
Meissner’s notes: “The Dissident represents Mark Ryan’s signature style, uncompromising quality and approachability in a Cabernet-driven blend. It’s a refined expression of Washington power that overdelivers for its price point, bridging new-world fruit with Bordeaux balance. This is a favorite for those who love structure, depth, and drinkability in equal measure. Perfect alongside grilled ribeye, short ribs, mushroom risotto, or aged cheddar.”
White: Ulli Stein “Blauschiefer” Trocken Riesling 2024 | $36
Meissner’s notes: “This Riesling is a stunning expression of place: the steep slate slopes of the Mosel distilled into a bright, dry white wine with character and clarity. It’s perfect for those who appreciate minerality, elegance, and a clean finish. Offering razor-sharp acidity, vibrant citrus and stone-fruit flavors, it pairs brilliantly with fresh oysters, sushi, citrus‑marinated seafood, or a salad with lime‑zest vinaigrette.”
Sparkling: Michel Gonet Grand Cru Mesnil-Sur-Oger Blanc De Blancs Brut Nature Champagne 2015 | $89
Meissner’s notes: “This Champagne captures everything we adore about Le Mesnil Chardonnay — purity, tension, and quiet luxury. It is for those who appreciate precision and terroir expression over sweetness. It pairs beautifully with oysters, crudo, tempura, caviar, or more creatively with triple-cream cheese and truffle fries. A true Grand Cru gem that rivals the region’s icons at a fraction of the price.”
Shawn Paul, Foxcroft Food & Wine
Dilworth, SouthPark, Waverly, Birkdale
Red: Mulray Pinot Noir “Gold Coast Vineyard” | $36
Paul’s notes: “Holiday tables are often a myriad of dishes, flavors, and traditions. Rather that trying to pair with any one item, best practice is a red that ‘plays well with others.’ We love the this single-vineyard pinot noir from the Santa Maria Valley in Santa Barbara County. Think warm cherry pie, with clove and orange zest.”
White: Piekenierskloof Chenin Blanc | $36
Paul’s notes: “Just because the temperature’s down, doesn’t mean we should give up on whites. Drink from a country where it’s summertime right now. Piekenierskloof Chenin Blanc from estate vines in Citrusdal, South Africa offers yellow peach, pear, and apricot on the nose with juicy melon on the palate, complemented by soft notes of lime. The palate is concentrated with hints of mango on the finish.”
Sparkling: Claude Manciat Crémant de Bourgogne | $36
Paul’s notes: “Everything seems a little more festive when the wine’s partying already. From Chardonnay vines not far from Pouilly-Fuissé, this Champagne-lookalike has nice yeast and baked bread notes on the nose. Generously fruity and rich, with apple and melon, and chalky aspects. Crisp, clean finish.”
Shea Strout, The Culture Shop
Plaza Midwood-Belmont
Red: Kivelstadt Cellar ‘KC Labs’ 2022 Carbonic Zinfanadel | $24
Strout’s notes: “A good portion of our staff loves to push boundaries and subvert expectations. This red from Mendocino County is all of that and so much more. Bright cranberry and raspberry lead, with notes of bubblegum and candied rose petals. Light on tannins with refreshing acidity, it blurs the line between rosé and red which makes it perfect for this time of year. It shines with charcuterie, fig jam, fresh fruit, or spicy meats, and is just as enjoyable on its own after a night of hustling.”
White: Mantlerhof Gruner Veltliner 2023 | $23
Strout’s notes: “When it comes to a white wine, we are all aligned: crisp, acidic, dry, and fun. Nothing does that better than an Austrian grüner veltliner. This fresh, organic bottling from Kremstal shows green apple, pear, and citrus, with subtle white pepper spice and minerality. Zippy and bright, it dances across the tongue, almost like a sparkling wine, before finishing round and clean. Food-friendly, crushable, and sustainably made, it’s perfect with seafood, boards, tinned fish, cheese, and even a grilled cheese sandwich.”
Sparkling: Champagne Gimonnet Gonet ‘L’Étonnant’ Blanc de Noir | $47
Strout’s notes: “Everyone loves to reach for a good bubble off the shelf and this one truly stands out. You’re immediately hit with bright red berries, violets, and a touch of brioche. On the palate, it’s juicy and fresh, with some great minerality, and a really rich, velvety mouthfeel. A heartier champagne, it flows nicely with the different food options. It’s a true diamond, especially at this price point.”
