Wines for holiday entertaining
LOS ANGELES CA. APRIL 2, 2014: 2010 Montefalco Rosso was photographed at the Los Angeles Times Studio on April 3, 2014 (Glenn Koenig/ Los Angeles Times) (Glenn Koenig / Los Angeles Times)
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The 2013 Venica Pinot Grigio ‘Jesera’ Collio from the Italian border with Slovenia is much more than an easy-drinking summer wine. “Jesera” from the venerable Venica estate is a serious, even fleshy wine with notes of pear, apricot and quince, and a long lovely finish. (Glenn Koenig / Los Angeles Times)
Lean and crisp, with bright citrus notes and a fine balance, the unoaked 2012 Varner Foxglove Chardonnay is a natural with food. It’s also an an outstanding value for the price. (Glenn Koenig / Los Angeles Times)
The 2012 Julien Sunier Régnié from Dijon native (and avid surfer) Julien Sunier is a revelation. A gentler expression of Gamay, the cru Beaujolais is floral and delicately spicy and yet complex enough that you find something new in every sip. (Glenn Koenig / Los Angeles Times)
Full and deep in flavor, with notes of plum, spice and chocolate, the 2012 Pio Cesare Barbera d’Alba from one of Piedmont’s oldest wineries shows elegance and balance. Vivid and food-friendly. (Glenn Koenig / Los Angeles Times)
The 2012 Enkidu ‘E’ Old Vine Field Blend is 60% Zinfandel, 24% Carignane and 8% each Alicante Bouschet and Petite Sirah, with flavors of dark berries and wild herbs. (Glenn Koenig / Los Angeles Times)
The 2012 Pinot Noir from New Zealand’s Central Otago estate Mohua is delicate and light on its feet, a bargain at under $20. Its bright berry flavors tempered with herbal notes, the 2012 Mohua Pinot Noir makes for delicious drinking. (Bob Chamberlin / Los Angeles Times)
The 2013 Alta Maria Carbonic Pinot Noir is lighthearted and fun. Made by fermenting whole clusters the way they do it in Beaujolais, France, the Santa Maria Valley Pinot Noir delights with its bright fruit and unabashed charm. (Bob Chamberlin / Los Angeles Times)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - JAUARY 15, 2014: WOW: LAN Rioja 2005 Gran Reserva (Gary Friedman/Los Angeles Times) (Gary Friedman / Los Angeles Times)
LOS ANGELES, CA - MARCH 19, 2014: Bila_Haut 2012 Cotes Du Roussillon WOW in the studio on MARCH 19, 2014. ( Bob Chamberlin / Los Angeles Times ) (Bob Chamberlin / Los Angeles Times)
