Festive Wines – Choosing the right wines

Its another festive season! I can imagine the combined stress of shopping & entertaining guest is getting to all of us, especially when the newspapers are crying foul on the economy! So what then are the most appropriate wines to accompany those get-togethers on a burning pocket?

Champagne and sparkling wines are usually the safest choice, since it’s associated with the festivities but some satisfying sweet dessert wines may also be suitable in convincing some of your friends and colleagues to gallop with you to your next wine adventure.

For the red wines, I would definitely recommend the lighter and friendly fruit forward ones. My recommendation is to pick up a Pinot Noir, Bordeaux or a nice Cote du Rhone. Lighter wines usually mean lesser drunken guest in your home and more enjoyable times! The best part is that you can get these affordable wines from $18-35/bottle and still have a great wine.

If whites are your choice, stock up on the fresh and zingy Sauvignon Blanc or Riesling , but on a more adventurous side, it may also be timely to impress your partners and in-laws with a dry yet floral and ripe fruit note Gewürztraminer. Although the Gewürztraminer is usually (& generally) a tad bit more expensive, its a great conversation starter. To save on your wine spendings, Australia & NZ do produce very drinkable ones.

If you need any further advice on wine selection, feel free to send me an email at rujin@rooscellarwines.com

More importantly, have wines that you personally preferred, which will makes it easier in the event that the gathering is a tad too hard to get by. Have fun with your wine selection & happy holidays!

Chateau Figeac 2000 St Emilion Grand Cru Classe

There's always a time to open a bottle of great wines and most would say that a wine always taste better with company. Tonight, I'll be completely selfish and have a nice bottle of Chateau Figeac 2000 all by myself! Ok, normally this sort of wines are completely out of my price range, but what the heck, this case of wines has been sitting in my cellar for 5 years and it's time to have a sneak taste of one of them!

Chateau Figeac is one of the great chateaus from the St Emilion district of bordeaux that is categorized as a Premier Grand Cru Classe B (Just below Chateau Ausone & Cheval Blanc). The more prestigious history of the winery started about the 18th century What I do appreciate in this wine making style is the 70% Cabernet dominate blend of Cab Franc & Cab Sauvignon with 30% merlot filling up the rest. Hopefully this means a more straight Cabernet characters expressing more distinct terroirs!

Ok, my hands are shaking, my brow sweaty and my wallet burning, I've opened the bottle for a good 40mins...its time for the tasting.

NOSE

intense perfume of black & red currants with a fresh pine wood smell. The blackberry fruits are really coming forward with an amazing underlayer of fresh mint, grounded oregano & basil stocks aroma.

PALATE

Medium bodied weight with a nice smooth texture, the blackberry & currant tannins are exploding with fresh flavors with still some youthful bite. The finish is average but has a nice bite to it.

EVOLUTION (+30mins from 1st tasting)

The nose develops a cinnemon latte with a very light & dried clove aroma. The palate is starting to develop beautiful sweet berries and develop a very smooth smokey texture.

EVOLUTION (+50 mins from 1st tasting)

strangely, the wine is starting to close up again. strong alcohol smell.

EVOLUTION (+1hr 30mins from 1st tasting)

it's opening up again! beautiful fruits starting to show again! WONDERFUL. ok, no more writing, its drinking time!