Several local oenophiles offered suggestions for holiday wine.
Les Doss of Vinsite wine shop located on 64 Broadway St. (http://www.vinsiteasheville.com) recommends the following bottles, which he and co-owner Kathy Taylor stock at the shop:
For a sparkler, try a Gruet Blanc de Noirs sparkling NV ($15.99). "It's rich and toasty with juicy, light raspberry flavors, and aggressive mousse with a creamy texture. Might be the best sparkling wine made in America for the money."
For a white, Doss likes Gunther Steinmetz Riesling Tröcken 2009 ($15.99). "Peachy sweet tarts with granny smith apples and bright citrus," says Doss. "Refreshing with a nice touch of minerality. This is a guzzler, not a sipper."
And for a red, try Bernard Baudry Chinon Les Granges 2010 ($20.99). "Complex and refreshing
with aromas of ripe fruit and forest floor, along with a touch of funk," Doss says.
Christopher Curtis of Santé wine bar (which offers retail wine as well) says that bubbles are not only festive, but they make for great food wines, too. Santé offers a fully sparkling, dry rose Lambrusco by Cleto Chiarli ($18). "They call it their ‘Brut de Noir’ rose," says Curtis. "It's super pretty and delicate, with a beautiful light pink, almost peachy color, fine bubbles and aromas of strawberry and raspberry."
Curtis also likes a Lioco Pinot Noir called NoCo for $25. "It's kind of midway between the French and Cali style. It's elegant and structured and earthy, but still has some great lush cherry and dark berry fruit to it — and Pinot is always a great and versatile food wine."
Sante is located at 1 Page Ave. (http://www.santewinebar.com)
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