A ringing in the New Year wine list

As New York, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, and San Francisco are getting ready to welcome 2013, cities around the world are also gearing up for New Year's Eve celebrations. For those who may not want to go out this New Year's Eve celebrating at home is a great option. Check out these ideas for dining at home. You might ask what are some wine suggestions for New Year's Eve. 2012 has been a great year for this Spaswinefood blogger. Besides visiting many California vineyards and wineries my wine travels has taken me to Oregon, Portugal, Turkey and Georgia. My top wine picks for New Year's Eve are based on my 2012 travels and other wines that I tasted during the year.

Tasting port history at Taylor's Port Lodge, Oporto © Spaswinefood

Here are my top wine picks for New Year's Eve:

Sparkling Wines and Champagne

This past summer I tasted some wonderful Proseccos, such as Villa Sandi or  Mionetto, Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore D.O.C.G and so I would recommend a Processo. I would also include a bottle of Franciacorta. Yes, I love Champagne. It was on one very rare occasion that I had a Piper-Heidsieck, Brut Rare 1988, France and if I had a big budget I would select one.

Villa Sandi, Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superire D.O.C.G © Spaswinefood

Mionetto, Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore D.O.C.G © Spaswinefood

Franciacorta Prima Cuvée Monte Rossa  © Spaswinefood

Piper-Heidsieck Brut Rare 1988 for a splurge  © Spaswinefood

Rosés

This past year I fell in love with Rosés; as a result here are a few Rosés that I would love to have:

1) Terra, Kalecik Karasi Roze, Turkey; two other Turkish wineries that also produce great Rosés are Arcadia and Suvla,

2) Alma Negra, Misterie Rosé or Sparkling Rosé of Malbec, Argentina,

3) Pomar Junction Vineyard, Syrah Rosé 2011, Paso Robles AVA, California, and

4) J. Lohr, Gesture Grenache Rosé 2011, Paso Robles AVA, California

Terra, Kaleck Karasi Roze 2011 © Spaswinefood

Arcadia, Cabernet Franc Merlot Roze 2011 © Spaswinefood

Enjoying a glass of Rosé at Suvla Vineyards © Spaswinefood

Alma Negra, Sparkling Rosé of Malbec © Spaswinefood

Pomar Junction Vineyard Syrah Rosé 2011 © Spaswinefood

J. Lohr Gesture Granche Rosé 2011 © Spaswinefood

White Wines

1) Vinkara, Narince, Turkey (Narince was my favorite Turkish white wine made from indigenous grapes).

2) VinoTerra, Kisi 2011, Georgia (Kisi was my favorite white qvevri wine).

3) California has so many great Chardonnays. However, Wentes and J. Lohr are amongst my favorite Chardonnays. One of the best I tasted this year was a J. Lohr, October Night Chardonnay 2011, Paso Robles AVA, California.

4) Dog Point Vineyards, Sauvignon Blanc 2011, Marlborough, New Zealand was a pleasant discovery for me.

5) Colomé, Torrontés 2011, Salta, Argentina (Salta’s Torrontés are fabulous).

Vinkara Narince 2010 © Spaswinefood

Vinoterra, Kisi 2011 © Spaswinefood

Dog Point Vineyard, Sauvignon Blanc; Wente and J. Lohr Chardonnay © Spaswinefood 

Colomé, Torrontés 2011 © Spaswinefood

Red Wines

1) I particularly liked Turkish wines made from indigenous grapes. My top red wine picks are Öküzgözü (Kavaklidere, Prestige Öküzgözü 2009, Öküzgözü, Elaziğ), Boğazkere (Vinkara, blend of Doruk Öküzgözü, Kalecik, Ankara and Boğazkere, Cermik, Diyarbakir) and Kalecik Karasi (Vinkara, Mahzen Kalecik Karasi 2010, Kalecik, Ankara). In the case of Turkish wines made from international grape varieties my top pick is Suvla Wines, Sur 2010, Thrace, Turkey.

2) Georgian Saperavi wines favorites were Vinoterra, Saperavi 2009 (qvevri wine) and Chateau Mukhrani, Saperavi 2008 (non-qvevri wine).

3) Obviously, I love California’s Pinot Noirs, Cabernet Sauvignons and Zinfandels. I tasted some great Pinot Noirs at #WBC12 in Oregon this summer. I would select a King Estate, Pinot Noir would be a good choice. 

4) I am a fan of Chilean Carmenere and Argentine Malbec so a few these wines would be great.

Turkish red wines

Vinkara, Mahzen Kalecik Karasi 2010 © Spaswinefood

Öküzgözü by Kayra and Pendore © Spaswinefood

Vinkara, Öküzgözü and Boğazkere © Spaswinefood

Suvla SUR 2010 (on left) © Spaswinefood

Georgian red wines

Vinoterra, Saperavi 2009 (qvevri wine) © Spaswinefood

Chateau Mukhrani, Saperavi 2008 (non-qvevri wine) © Spaswinefood

Other red wines

King Estate, Domaine Vineyards Pinot Noir, 2009 © Spaswinefood

Dessert and Fortified Wines:
Here are a few of my favorites for 2012.

1) Doulca Wines, Safir 2010, a Misket from the Aegean, Turkey,

2) LA Wines, Passito 2010, a Misket from Torbali, Izmir, Turkey, and

3) Quinta do Portal, 1995 Port Vintage, Douro Valley, Portugal.

A side-by-side tasting of two Turkish Misket's © Spaswinefood

 LA Wines, Passito 2010 © Spaswinefood

Quinta do Portal, 1995 Port Vintage © Spaswinefood

Looking for a big splurge

If I had to choose only one bottle then it would be Vintage Port from 1950 or earlier. I am thinking Francesca, Grahams, Sandeman, or Taylors will do. I also like their “very old” Tawny ports. A Piper-Heidsieck, Brut Rare 1988, France would be nice.

Taylor's Tawny Ports © Spaswinefood

My wine travels this year have been incredible. It has been an amazing Spaswinefood journey. I look forward to more Spaswinefood adventures in 2013. As you get ready to toast the arrival of a New Year, now is the time to start thinking of New Year’s resolutions. If these resolutions include more travel then do not forget to visit me at Spaswinefood, as I travel in search of the best in spas-wine-food. 

Wine tasting at #EWBC Gala Banquet, Turkey © Spaswinefood

Sharon 

December 2012

Los Gatos, California

© Spaswinefood

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