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Delicious Red Wines for Every Holiday Budget
Dec 21, 2019
Forgot someone on your list? You know wine is always the answer! Because with only a few days until Christmas, we recognize you'll want a quick, enjoyable, and appropriate gift. Whether you're budgeting after all that Black Friday shopping or looking to impress with extravagance, we have delicious options for every price point!
Remember last year when you were invited to your in-law's neighbor's party at last minute? And that one time when your aunt showed up Christmas Day and you didn't have a gift for her to open? Or when your cousin Ed brought his family but nothing else and you ran out of eggnog, Clark? (Nightmare moment!) No need to panic. Grab a couple extra bottles & gift bags to have on hand just in case - because you probably didn't get your child's teacher anything yet. Or your hairdresser... or your BOSS!!
Regardless, those extra bottles won't go to waste -- you can always drink them in January if there's any left over.
$10-12: LOUIS JADOT
Louis Jadot is America's #1 French wine for a reason. These wines from Burgundy are a balance of "tradition and technology" to bring out the purity of the varietal. We are amazed that these easy-drinking wines price at $10-12.
Their packaging is elegant and refined, and we think it will look festive on your Christmas table. If you're shopping for someone and are unsure their taste preference, these will please a wide variety of wine drinkers.
Their Beaujolais
is 100% Gamay and is aged with semi-carbonic maceration to "bring more tannins and structure to the wine." This process results in a bold, juicy taste with a slightly peppery finish. Prices around $9-10 in NYC.
Their Beaujolais Villages
is also 100% Gamay but is created in a more traditional style of vinification which results in a medium-bodied wine that has a balanced, fruit-forward taste of strawberries. cherries & spice. Pairs well with light dishes such as appetizers & poultry. You'll find this bottle around $12 on the shelf.
You can also find more in their portfolio at slightly higher prices which range from $16-22, including the white wine lover:
Louis Jadot Macon-Villages
- $16.29
Louis Jadot Pouilly Fuisse
- $20.87
Louis Jadot Pinot Noir
- $21.79
$15-20: FRANCIS COPPOLA
People love a good story, and what better talking point than to gift them a bottle from Francis Coppola himself's winery? This is a great option for
The Godfather
fan or movie buff, but the beautiful packaging and quality taste is a guaranteed great fit for anyone on your list.
Their Diamond Collection Claret
has a stunning black label with gold netting & font that will leave an impression of charm & sophistication. The wine itself is primarily Cabernet Sauvignon, made in a Bordeaux style. The term "Claret" refers to a British term to describe Cabernet-based wines, but you will also find this bottle has Petit Verdot, Malbec and Cabernet Franc blended to create a smooth and luscious wine with flavors of berry, plum, and anise. The Claret averages around $16.50 in New York.
Their Director's Cut Cabernet Sauvignon
is also blended with Malbec and Cabernet Franc which adds complexity to the taste profile. It's aged for 15 months in French and American Oak barrels, providing notes of blackberries, cherries, minerals, and cocoa. The winery recommends that the Director's Cut is best enjoyed after a few years of aging, so this is an approachable price point to give to the wine enthusiast who appreciates that some things are worth the wait. However it can also be enjoyed right away after a few hours of decanting. This bottle typically sells for around $18-19.
$20-25: CAMPO VIEJO
For the Spanish wine lover, Campo Viejo is a fantastic option. These wines are created by three female winemakers, so if you're looking to support a brand that backs women in the industry, this is it. Chief Winemaker is Elena Adell, who has been making wine since 1985, is the granddaughter of wine growers, and studied Agricultural Science. With that experience comes the knowledge of how to create fantastic wines. It takes 5 years to create their Gran Reserva due to aging in oak barrels, which adds a velvety smoothness to the taste. You'll find notes of dark fruit, chocolate, tobacco, and coffee which pairs well with dark meat, roasts, and blue cheese.
This bottle also has a stylish netting and their dark gold label will leave the impression that it's valued at much higher than its $22 price point.
$35: RUFFINO
This Italian Chianti is only created when the vintage produces the quality grapes necessary. When they do make the Ruffino Riserva Ducale Oro, the grapes are harvested by hand, then aged in oak, stainless steel, and concrete vats for 3 years (a full year longer than what is required by Italian laws). Before releasing each vintage, they let it rest in the bottle for some time so that you open an exquisite wine that has structure and balance. Taste profile includes blackberry, cherry, plum, and spice. Any Italian family will know the name Ruffino and the quality behind the brand.
Clearly gold is a theme for us, and this label gleams with a pure gilt unlike any other bottle and is sure to impress. Ranked 95 Points by The Tasting Panel, this bottle sells for about $35 in your wine shop.
$45: THORN
Alright, alright, we'll steer away from the gold labels from here on out -
From Napa Valley, Thorn
is a blend of primarily Merlot grapes sourced from small, choice vineyards, along with Syrah, Malbec, and Petite Sirah. This wine has a full body with a juicy finish, and notes of mocha, vanilla, dark cherry, and a bit of toastiness. Aged in French and Hungarian oak barrels, 35% of which is new oak, resulting in its rich character.
We love this description of their wine from their website, which also perfectly explains the artwork and concept behind the brand: "You don’t know what it wants and you’ve underestimated its character. But you can feel it watching your every move. A cunning presence lingers, like a thorn in your side. It isn’t going anywhere."
We can't help but think of the edgy animal lover for this bottle (you know the type), but really the wine will stand for itself and excite any wine enthusiast in your life. At $45 per bottle, the recipient will be in awe of such a nice gift.
$55: CUTTINGS
On point with the holiday theme, think of the cuttings from your Christmas tree! Their name is actually inspired from the "age-old method of using cuttings from idyllic sites for the propagation of new vines." This Cabernet is blended with Petit Sirah, Syrah, and Zinfandel which results in structure and depth. Aged for 18 months in French oak barrels, the taste has an intense flavor of roasted coffee, brown spice, wild berries, vanilla, and black currant.
Winner of Best in Class in the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition, this bottle is simple yet striking, and the glass itself has the extra weight to protect the ambrosia inside. Save this for someone on your list that you're looking to thrill or really show gratitude to; this will ring in at $55 in most wine stores in Metro New York.
Hope you enjoy, and that this provides some guidance or direction for those intimidated by all the bottles on the shelf. Pull up this list in the store for an easy and quick shopping trip. Remember if you're stocking up, ask your retailer if they provide a discount for a case -- most do!
Let us know what your favorite go-to wine is in the comments, and be sure to look for Hart Agency on social media for the most up-to-date posts about events in your area! @hartagency on Facebook & Instagram.
Have a happy and safe Christmas & Hanukkah from all of us at Hart Agency!
Cheers for now,
The Hart Team
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