Happy holidays BSF fans! Now that we find ourselves in the holiday spirit, we have begun picking out what wines to gift to our loved ones or to enjoy at holiday gatherings.
If you’re having a hard time deciding what wines will pair best with the various festivities you have lined up, we have a list of staff picks to help get you through this holiday season. With the colder weather finally making its appearance in Northern Michigan, many of us on the BSF team have been gravitating towards red wines, but there is still a place for white wines among our winter picks. Check out our staff favorites below.
Are you looking for a wine with unique characteristics? Try out our exquisite red blend, the 2017 Grace. A tribute to our founder’s late wife Sallie Campbell, Grace is a wine unlike most in that it incorporates varieties not often blended – Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Gamay Noir. A single vintage, single vineyard blend, this wine showcases a level of elegance that only comes from our proprietor’s Capella vineyard. There is a great deal of depth in the 2017 Grace – wrapped in complex fruit from each of the three varieties and gracefully punctuated with the spice of fine European oak. Grace makes a wonderful gift for the special wine lover in your life and pairs perfectly with a romantic, candle-lit dinner
Another favorite red of ours is the 2017 A Capella Pinot Noir. In this bottle, you will find all of the virtuous qualities of Pinot that you look for in wines from more “regal” wine regions. This rich and opulent wine sings on the nose and palate with fragrant spice, hints of violet, and dark cherry. Think of this particular bottling as an ode to Burgundy. Because Pinot Noir is a rather versatile wine, it can be paired with a number of different dishes. We suggest pairing it with your Christmas ham – this wine’s moderate acidity, lush fruit, and exotic spice harmonize beautifully with the smoky, salty flavors of ham.
2017 was one of the best vintages in our region’s history, so it’s no surprise that another one of our staff picks is the 2017 Arcturos Merlot. With this velvety red, you will find darker fruit flavors like blackberry and plum, laced with hints of dark cocoa and subtle spices like clove and cardamom. This Merlot showcases refined characteristics which are a result of our cooler growing conditions, akin to the cooler grape-growing regions of France. Enjoy this wine over casual conversation or sip a glass by the fireplace as you watch the snow fall from your window. If you are looking for a good food pairing, we recommend lamb chops, pork loin, or any beef dish with lots of herbs and spices.
This time of year is all about celebration, so of course, this list wouldn’t be complete without some bubbly. Whether it’s for cocktail hour, passing around the dinner table, or toasting to the New Year, we at BSF are reaching for our 2017 Blanc de Blanc. This bubbly is for people who enjoy wine with complex aromas and flavors. Produced in the Méthode Champenoise (or Traditional Method), this wine is made from 100% Chardonnay grapes and is reminiscent of a classic French Champagne. This brut-style sparkler showcases the aromas of fresh-baked brioche bread, accompanied by flavors of green apple, lemon, and almond biscotti. With a light mouthfeel and finely textured bubbles, the Blanc de Blanc gives off an air of class and sophistication that’s all its own.
For those who aren’t keen on sparkling wine, give our 2020 Dry Riesling a try. This staff favorite has aromatics that delight the nose with notes of Meyer lemon, orange blossom, and peach. With its sky-high acidity, the flavors burst open on the palate like biting into a crisp, juicy green apple. A hint of salinity keeps this wine feeling clean and fresh with each sip. These characteristics make this wine an excellent aperitif as well as a very versatile food pairing option. Perfect for the holidays, this dry white pairs nicely with roasted turkey and many festive appetizers like baked brie and creamy crab dip
Looking for something a little sweeter? Try our Black Star Farms Cherry Wine. This wine is a true expression of Northern Michigan cherries. It has a lovely combination of sweet and tart cherry flavors with a refreshing finish. The semi-dry style of this fruit wine makes it very food-friendly. Recommended holiday pairings include cocktail meatballs in cranberry sauce, cherry walnut cheese spread, and pepper-crusted prime rib. It is also a perfect base for a holiday mulled wine. After playing in the snow, who doesn’t love to warm up with a glass of mulled wine?
No holiday wine list is complete without a dessert wine. Our staff pick this season is the Sirius Raspberry. Beautifully fragrant, this dessert wine is an explosion of fresh raspberries. Made in the style of port wine, the Sirius Raspberry is produced from estate-grown raspberries and fortified with our own grape brandy. Compared to our other dessert wines, the Sirius Raspberry tends to be lighter and a bit crisper due to the natural acidity found in raspberries. Try pairing this wine with festive treats like holiday hot chocolate cake, eggnog cheesecake, or dark chocolate raspberry fudge. It also makes a fun and refreshing sparkling wine cocktail when mixed with our BeDazzled. Tip, garnish it with a lime twist, and sugar-coated cranberries for a festive flare.
We hope these selections make your holiday season a little more jolly!
With many more wines of different styles and prices, we are confident we can meet your holiday needs. Our helpful staff is ready to help you pick out the perfect wine. So give us a call at 231-944-1270, or stop by one of our Traverse City area tasting rooms.
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Cheers to the holidays!
