Beautifully-made Napa Cabernet.  Deep purple in the glass, this wine displays a deep berry, very fragrant nose in the glass.  In the mouth, it’s rich and well-balanced with plummy qualities and traces of coffee and cocoa.

Wish I could put a couple cases in my cellar to drink in 10 years.

Style: Red

Grape Type(s): Cabernet Sauvignon

Region: Napa Valley, California

Around $60

One super wine.  It’s big and bold yet refined.  Made from 100 year-old vines, this wine tastes of jammy sweet red fruit with deep earthy flavors and fine tannins.

If you ever have the chance to sample this Portuguese wine from the Douro region, jump at it.

Style: Red

Grape Type(s): Touriga Nacional, Tinta Amarela, Sousao

Region: Douro, Portugal

Around $80

Domaine Pascal Cotat

The pale green color of this wine in the glass is a little deceiving to what this rich wine tastes like.  On the nose, it’s an explosion of tropical fruit.  In the mouth, it’s opulent with juicy grapefruit, lime and papaya. Nice mineral levels that complement the lushness of this Sancerre. This wine has a 14.5% alcohol level and can improve with some cellaring.

Style: White

Grape Type(s): Sauvignon Blanc

Region: Loire Valley, France

Around $50

Dark ruby in the glass, this Merlot offers a ripe cherry nose with some earthy notes.  In the mouth, it’s a combination of dark berries with some chocolate undertones.  The finish is uber dry and lovely.

This wine could really use some breathing time and decanting for a good 30 minutes to help open it up.

Nice Merlot, especially at this price point.

Style: Red

Grape Type(s): Merlot

Region: Sonoma, California

Around $20

‘Tis the season to shop for bubbly and with all the options available at wine shops, it is difficult to make sense of it all.  Here are five sparkling wines under $25 to pop open during the holidays:

• 2009 Jagdschloss Spatburgunder Brut Rose (Rheingau, Germany) – beautiful light pink in the glass with tons of tiny bubbles.  Aromas and flavors of ripe strawberries with a little Fiji apple ($15).
• La Marca Di Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco (Trevisio, Italy) – light, crisp and offers a pleasant dry finish that’s citrusy and fresh ($12).
• 2008 Naveran Dama Cava (Catalunya, Spain) – aromatic wine with pear and apple flavors ($20).
• Roederer Estate Anderson Valley Brut (Anderson Valley, CA) – flavors of ripe pear with nutty notes ($22).
• Lucien Albrecht Crémant d’Alsace Brut Rosé NV (Alsace, France) – features rich strawberries-and-cream flavors ($25).

Cheers,

Veronique

This is a very clean, light-to-medium style Champagne with green apple and nutty aromas.  In the mouth, it has honey and bread dough notes.  Nice bubbly at this price.

Style: Champagne / Sparkling Wine

Grape Type(s): Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier and Chardonnay

Region: Reims, France

Around $25

Lovely, aromatic wine with juicy peach aromas and tons of floral and ripe pear and apple flavors.  The 2008 Naveran Dama Cava offers a rich, long finish.  Great sparkling wine at this price point.

Style: Sparkling Wine

Grape Type(s): Chardonnay Blend

Region: Catalunya, Spain

Around $20

Rich and slightly oaky sparkling wine that’s become a favorite.  The nose is light Asian apple but the flavors are bolder with ripe, juicy pear and nutty notes.  Great clean, crisp finish.

Style: Sparkling Wine

Grape Type(s): Pinot Noir and Chardonnay

Region: Anderson Valley, California

Around $22

Just love a sparkling rosé – it’s so…festive!  This one is pale pink in the glass with a light strawberry and yeasty nose.  In the mouth, the Schramsberg Mirabelle Brut Rosé offers juicy fruit flavors with a slightly spicy finish.

Style: Rosé Sparkling

Grape Type(s): Pinot Noir and Chardonnay

Region: Napa Valley, California

Around $25

This wine from Alsace is pale salmon-colored in the glass and offers sweet strawberry and ripe cherry aromas.  In the mouth, it’s typical (and lovely) Crémant – moussy and creamy.  Luscious, yet light, strawberries-and-cream flavors.

Style: Rosé Sparkling

Grape Type(s): Pinot Noir

Region: Alsace, France

Around $25