Looking to break out some good bottles for your holiday feast? Here’s what to pair with any style of meal. Photo by Sadig Abd / Scopio

By Anita Skogland

We are closing in on the end of this most memorable year, with vaccines approved, Saturn & Jupiter doing their remarkable early evening dance, and holidays to celebrate. I plan to dig into the best part of my wine cellar and celebrate the future with some delicious food and iconic wines – there is no time like the present for these treats! Here are some recommendations for your consideration.

Sparkling wines

Scharffenberger Brut, Mendocino County, Calif.
Multiple locations, $19-$23
A blend of chardonnay (60 percent) and pinot noir (40 percent) this wine has balanced fruit, a yeasty nose, and delicate, persistent bubbles. Very flexible with food at a reasonable price.

Waris-Hubert Blanc de Blanc Grand Cru ‘Lilyale’ Champagne
Petit Philippe, 375 ml. bottle $60
Dry, lemon color, lively mousse, aromas of stone fruit and apple. Crisp and refreshing, this wine will compliment appetizers, creamy soups, and seafood.

Billecart Salmon NV Rose Champagne
winestore, Foxcroft, or Arthur’s, $75-$80
This is one of my favorite, reasonably priced (totally a relative term) Champagnes. It is beautiful in appearance, with its delicate pink color, creamy mousse, and its smooth, rich texture with red fruits on the nose and palate.

White and rosé wines

Domaine Sangouard-Huyot Pouilly-Fuissé White Burgundy 2019, France
Arthur’s, $26.99
Mineral notes, delicate apricot, balanced acidity. Enjoy with fish, roast chicken smoked salmon, cream sauces.

Dr. Heyden Silvaner Trocken 2017, Rheinhessen, Germany
Assorted Table Wine Shoppe $14.99
Ripe orange and apple flavors, dry, integrated acid, with a hint of sweetness, lemongrass and thyme. Well balanced. Serve with pork, chicken, most vegetable dishes, tofu.

Clara Sala 2018 Sicilia Bianco 100% Grillo, Italy
Foxcroft, $16.99
An organic, women-owned winery (run by two sisters) on the edge of a bird sanctuary produces this wine, which is light in body with floral aromas and food-friendly acidity and saltiness. It pairs well with an array of Mediterranean foods

Stobi Rose 2018 Tikves, Macedonia
Vintner Wine Market, $11.99
80 percent rkatsiteli, 20 percent vranec, this refreshing, dry rosé has strawberry notes, with Meyer lemon, cinnamon, and white pepper on the palate. Very similar to pinot noir-based rosé. Pairs well with most foods, except for red meat.

Red wines

Big Farm Table 2018 Pinot Noir, Willamette, Oregon
Petit Philippe, $48.60
Cherry, cranberry, and blueberry notes with a bit of earthiness, acidity, and finesse on the finish. A good choice for smoked salmon, venison, beef, or vegetarian entrées.

Sophie Siadou Valencay 2017 Loire Valley, France
Foxcroft, $19.99
A blend of gamay, pinot noir and malbec, this wine has good structure and elegance, a floral nose, and balanced tannin from the malbec. Raspberry and spice on the palate. Pairs well with game and red meats, or hearty cassoulet.

Domaine La Garrigue 2017 Vacqueyras, France
winestore, $14.99
Smoky, spicy, well integrated tannins, plum, full body. This wine is a blend of grenache, syrah, mourvedre, and cinsault. Pairs well with lamb, lasagna, hearty fare.

Copertino Riserva Cantina Sociale Cooperative 2010 Salento, Puglia, Italy
Assorted Table, $19.99
95 percent negroamaro, 5 percent malvasia nera, this wine is dry, elegant, medium bodied, with black cherry and pepper aromas. Pair with charcuterie, veal, lamb, mushrooms, or aged cheese.

Grand Finale

If you are serving a cheese plate with apples and almonds: Tawny or late bottled vintage Port

If you are serving a fruit-based pie: Sparkling Moscato d’Asti or dessert wine from Sauternés, Cadillac, or Barsac, all in France.

If you are serving chocolate: An auslese riesling or ice wine (Inniskillin from Canada is available in a variety of wine stores)

If you are serving ice cream sundaes: Sparkling red lambrusco or madeira