10 Wines from QUINTESSENTIAL for Pairings that Elevate Your Holidays

Hosting? Toasting? Be creative with your food and wine pairings this holiday season. Purchase wines from a variety of regions that are accessible at different price points. Choose ones with different taste profiles for your family and friends. Offer a crudité, light meal, or a selection of desserts for your guests and have a tasting party to be treasured. For a party of 8 to10 persons, plan on buying two bottles of each wine. As guests sip and savor the selections, there will be interesting discussions about individual preferences while everyone enjoys good company, fine wine, and food.

We have selected ten wines imported by Quintessential, the family owned-and-operated import, marketing, and sales company headquartered in Napa, CA. Quintessential is dedicated exclusively to representing multi-generational, family owned-and-operated wineries that have the same passion for winemaking as their company has in strategically marketing and selling these wines. The producers they select, from most of the top wine regions around the world, create wines that offer the best, most authentic expression of the terroir from their respective vineyards.

Check out these outstanding selections and pairing suggestions.

Simonsig Chenin Blanc by Simonsig Wine Estate in the Stellenbosch region of South Africa. The wine has an attractive light straw color with a green tinge. Rays of tropical fruit make for a grand entrance on the palate. The balanced acidity carries the fruit for a smooth finish. It should be served slightly chilled and pairs nicely with light seafood dishes, or as an aperitif. SRP $13.99-2017 Vintage

Lange Arneis (DOC) 2016 by Luca Bosio Vineyards in the Piedmont region of Italy. This wine is made from Arneis grapes grown on the Bosio Estate. It starts with a clean floral nose, with hints of pineapple, apricot, and peach that follow through to the palate with a refreshing finish. This is a nice wine to pair with meats like chicken and pork, along with savory vegetable dishes. SRP $19.99

Rosso di Montalcino by La Mannella in the Montalcino, Tuscany (DOCG) region of Italy. This wine is made from 100% Sangiovese grapes at 6 tonnes per hectare. This well-balanced wine is lean and sinewy with vibrant acidity and gripping tannins. It is best enjoyed the first few years after being bottled and is well paired with your favorite Italian cheeses. SRP $29.99-2013 Vintage

Esprit du Rhone 2015 (AOC Cotes Du Rhone) by Esprit in the Rhone Valley of France. This wine is the perfect definition of Cotes du Rhone, fresh and generous with a deep, dark color. It is made mainly with Grenache Noir and also Carignan, Syrah and Cinsault. It is delicate with a nice sweetness but has both density and structure. It pairs wonderfully with semi-soft cheeses and is a great accompaniment for grilled or sauced meats. SRP $16.99

Sao Miguel do Sul Red 2016 by Aexandre Relvas in the Alentejano region of Portugal. The wine is made from 50% Aragonez, 30% Alicante Bouschet, 15% Trincadeira and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon. It is a rich ruby in color with an intense aroma of red and black forest fruits plus floral and toasted notes. It is a juicy, easy drinking wine. You'll like to pair it with Mediterranean style foods and pasta dishes. SRP $11.99-2016 Vintage

Tinto Figuero 12 (Crianaza) by Figuero in the Ribera del Duero (D.O.) region of Spain. The wine is made from 100% Temparillo grapes (Tinto Fino from La Horra). This clean, bright wine has black fruits that dominate over the liquorice and spices like cinnamon and pepper. Balanced and full-flavored, it has a long, silky and elegant finish. Best served at room temperature, it is a wonderful pairing for your favorite hard cheeses and beef dishes. SRP $31.99-2015 Vintage

ELSA Cabernet Sauvignon by Valentin Bianchi, S.A. in the San Rafael, Mendoza region of Argentina. This classic Cabernet is medium to full-bodied, with a sweet and balanced sensation on the palate. Its flavors and aromas match nicely, providing a pleasant smooth and complex mouth-feel that is full of fruit. It is ideal with steaks, beef dishes, and hearty stews. SRP $11.99

Gewurztraminer Reserve by Gustave Lorentz in the AOC Alsace region of France. Made from 100% , the wine has a clear, golden color. Supple, complex, and rich, it has an impressive structure with tastes of exotic fruits and spices with peppery, ginger finish. Well balanced and slightly dry, it is an ideal wine with Thai, Indian or Chinese food and a great match for fish dishes with spicy sauces. SRP $24.99-2016 Vintage

Leda, The Truffle Hunter Barbera d'Asti D.O.C.G. 2016 by Luca Bosio Vineyards in the Piedmont region of Italy. A rich, ruby red in color, this wine shows ample fruit on the nose and has silky tannins that give it a smooth, fresh, easy-drinking approachability for even the most casual wine drinker. It is a fine accompaniment for both red and white meats, an array of Italian cheeses, pastas and risotto. SRP $14.99-2016 Vintage

Paringa Sparkling Shiraz 2015 by The ARH Australian Wine Company Pty Ltd in the South Australia region of Australia. This lively wine is refreshing, and medium bodied comprised of sweet berry fruits, ripe plums and cassis, with hints of chocolate. It can be chilled as an aperitif, and is the perfect complement for dishes with bacon. This is a wine that is wonderful for brunches or with rich chocolate desserts. SRP $17.99

You don't have to be a wine expert to enjoy the sense of hospitality and good cheer that wine brings to holiday and New Year's gatherings. Raise a glass and cherish good times.

To learn more about Quintessential Importer, Marketer and Distributor, and the brands they represent, visit: http://www.quintessentialwines.com/.

Photo Credit: Courtesy of Quintessential Wines and Freeimages.com

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