Gifts: Favorite wines for favorite friends
A youthful cousin of Barolo, Vietti¿s Nebiolo ¿Perbacco¿ is made with the same grape from nearby vineyards¿and from vines averaging 35 years old. So this isn¿t exactly young vines, but a wonderfully structured, delicious Nebbiolo that doesn¿t need the excuse of a big occasion to pop the cork. Actually, this wine has the same vinification and aging as Vietti¿s Barolo Castiglione, so it¿s a real bargain at $30 and under. (Gary Friedman / Los Angeles Times)
Think organic or biodynamic wines are new? Meet the Nikolaihof estate in the Wachau region of Austria, where wine has been made¿organically¿for close to 2000 years. The Nikolaihof family are so committed that they only serve organic food at their farm restaurant on the property. The Wachau region, an hour¿s drive from Vienna, is known for its Grüner Veltliner and Nikolaihof produces some of the best. This 2011 Hefeabzug (aged on the lees) is crisp and refreshing, mineral-driven and with the characteristic aromas of green apple and white pepper. (Anne Cusack / Los Angeles Times)
Founded by lead guitarist Jay Somers, J. Christopher really found its focus when Somers brought in German winemaker Ernie Loosen (Dr. Loosen) as partner a few years ago. This 2010 Willamette Valley Pinot made from grapes grown in four of the Willamette Valley¿s AVAs--Dundee Hills, Chehalem Mountains, Yamhill-Carlton and Eola-Amity Hills, is everything you could wish. Silky and nuanced, it tastes of plums, blueberries and forest, an elegant expression of Oregon Pinot Noir. Keep an eye out for the winery¿s more expensive single vineyard bottlings, too (Gary Friedman / Los Angeles Times)
