Holidays

[Innkeeper]

For Christmas, a lot depends on what you are having. Not just whether is is turkey or goose or ham, but what flavors are in the stuffing, what veggies are being served, and very importantly is fruit involved. Cranberry sauce with turkey, or pickled pears with goose, through wine choices into a whole different dimension.
Having said all that, I've had my best best luck with one of those big, jammy pinots that Bucko loves to hate. You could do the same with a zinfandel or syrah.
For New Years, it depends on how much you want to spend. The best values are the Spanish Cavas that are made in the same method as Champagne, at a fraction of the cost. Terminology for bubblies is a little strange. Brut means dry. Extra dry means off dry or slightly sweet. There is additional termnology for even sweeter choices but these are harder to find, and to my palate simply too sweet. We usually go with extra dry.