A Toast Worthy Holiday Wine List

Bottle of Savigny-lès-Beaune pinot noir.

This issue features food, wine and entertaining, and I love to entertain—whether it be during a planned dinner or an impromptu gathering. As we roll into the holiday season, here are some go-to wines that make hosting really easy.

I keep a bottle of good sparkling wine in the fridge—just in case. Consider Louis Bouillot sparkling rosé (around $20).

It’s prudent to keep good, inexpensive wine on hand, too. Try Louis Martini cabernet sauvignon, Fog Mountain cabernet, Fortant chardonnay and Vina Robles chardonnay (all around $10–$15).

In this issue, turn to page 40 for a feature on Peking Duck. Pinot noir is an ideal pairing with this protein. In my view, the best pinots come from France’s Burgundy region, from a simple Bourgogne (around $18) to a single vineyard, like a Savigny-lès-Beaune (around $24). Both provide ideal selections.

John F. Farrell III is vice president of sales and merchandising with Haskell’s The Wine People. Find more at haskells.com.