Whether you've been naughty or nice this year, you still deserve a little treat. Guru has enlisted the help from Kim Wachtveitl, founder of Wine Garage (winegarage.asia), to recommend great wine for the holiday season. So tell Santa you don't need a white Christmas or toys -- all you're asking for is one bottle (or crate) of vino. And don't worry, Chateauneuf Du Pape isn't on this list.
A sparkling wine that won't break the bank
"Cava is made like champagne, and spends on average a year in bottle before disgorgement. With the rise of Barcelona and its great Spanish chefs, this sparkler (Bocchoris Cava Brut NV, Catalunya, Spain; B790) made from local Catalan varietals has come to fame and can now be considered a fine companion not only to tapas but also tasty Thai food. [It is] light, citric and bready, with a touch of salinity."
A white to start the night off right
"Australian Riesling can feel austere yet laser-like in its precise citric aroma. But when a vintner tweaks the blend and raises it in a barrel, the outcome can be quite luscious, like this one (Jamsheed Harem Le Blanc Plonk 2014, Victoria, Australia; B1,250) from Gary Mills. He gently fuses a little Gewurztraminer to enhance the mouthfeel and aromas for pairing with Western and Asian dishes, which have some weight and a fruity accent."
A red to impress
"Wine lovers should dig their heads into the terroirs of Chianti like they do in Burgundy. The terroir and winemaking is quite varied, and drinkers will be astounded by tasting some terrific Sangiovese, like this traditional rendition (Montenidoli Il Garrulo Chianti 2013, Tuscany, Italy; B1,100), which still uses white grapes in the blend. Earthy, tannic, rustic -- yet this so-called 'tomato wine' is ideal for all pasta and meat dishes."
A rosé for the sophisticated
"There is the world-famous Provence rosé, the fuller, New World rosé -- even Thailand's white Shiraz. But of late, some producers are pushing the boundaries to make a rosé which drinks like a white wine -- light, fresh, tightly coiled with red-berried fruit. The Domaine Fondreche Rose 2014, Ventoux, France; B890 is good for sundowners or a light meal by the sea."
Something sweet
"A versatile sweet wine is hard to come by in Thailand, and even though Chardonnay isn't known for dessert wines, this Auslese (Weingut Gruber Chardonnay Auslese 2014, Weinviertel, Austria; B1,350) feels light, intense and complex, despite its 80g of residual sugar. Low in alcohol, lively in acidity and its pleasant peach and honey aromatics make it a nice pairing with strong cheese or fruit-based desserts."
Kim Wachtveitl.
WHAT, WHERE, WINE
Five hot tips for oenophiles from Kim Wachtveitl
1) Start with a reputable importer or wine shop with true expertise.
2) Search out wine regions or countries that are not yet famous, but select from a producer with vision and passion — the result is authentic wine with better value.
3) Ask the seller about proper servicing for the specific wine (temperature, glass selection and aeration) — this will help for better enjoyment.
4) Visit www.winefolly.com to learn about grapes and wine styles, as you can then interchange your old favourites with new discoveries.
5) Fine-tune your palate and conduct blind tastings with friends to evaluate a wine rather than looking at an app on your iPhone.
