Thanksgiving is gone, but the holidays have just gotten started! There is still quite a few celebrations to be had, whether you toast on Christmas, Kwanzaa, Hanukkah, Winter Solstice, New Years Eve or your own special event, we have the best wines in the area recommended straight from the winemaker’s lips! Paired with your favorite meals, tasted at parties or cocktail hours, or just used as gifts, these wines are perfect for any occasion.
1. 2014 Paso Pink Rose’ by Sculpterra
This wine is in it’s prime for drinking right now and goes with most anything you pair it with. A blend of 37% Grenache, 20% Syrah, 20% Mourvedre, 15% Pinot Noir, and 8% Primitivo, this Paso Robles wine smooths out at 14.8% alcohol and only has 50 cases left out of the original 336!
“Rose’ has become one of my favorite wines, and is so much fun to make! I crafted this wine knowing that I needed to use Grenache as the dominant player in the blend. It shows great depth in strawberry, raspberry and fresh, ripe, tropical fruits. Syrah gives the wine its jewel-like darker hue, adding notes of crushed herbs, roses and hints of ripe melon. The Mourvedre was so unique loaded with ripe guava, tangerine, and an orange zest tang. I almost wanted to bottle it on its own, it was that good! Pinot Noir and Primitivo contribute a tart brightness and boysenberry qualities. This Rose’ tastes so fresh and great “young”, but it will improve in the bottle through the end of 2015.”
-Paul Frankel, Winemaker
2. 2010 Harmony Cellars Reserve Aria
This special occasion wine is a fantastic red blend, has won numerous awards and is a powerful wine all on its own. A blend of 77% Cabernet Sauvignon, 18% Petit Verdot, and 5% Malbec, the deep garnet wine opens up with a spicy note of anise while highlighted by intense dried cherry. The aromas of black currant and plum help pair this wine with rich flavors such as a rack of lamb and prime rib.
‘Aria’ has won GOLD at the Long Beach Grand Cru and SILVER at the Orange County Wine Competition.
3. 2012 La Mezcla Roja by Lone Madrone
This perfect red wine is aged for 11 months in Experienced Oak Pungeons. The three French varietals blended together consist of 68% Cinsault, 17% Counoise and 15% Grenache which are light on tannins, aromatic and refreshing in taste. Bursting with red fruits such as strawberries and ripe cherries its a delight to pair with many dishes. With an alcohol of 12.9% and a great price of only $30 this unique wine will delight whomever gets to drink it!
Bonus!
If you have guests who don’t prefer wine (gasp!) we recommend some of Bristol’s hard apple cider! It’s dry, crisp and refreshing and you can taste it at their tasting bar in Atascadero or in Paso Robles. It mixes well with other fruity drinks and is a gluten-free option for non-beer drinkers.
While you are here tasting don’t forget to stay at the Adelaide Inn right near the freeway and wine country! Need someplace to eat? Check out The Restaurant at Justin for lunch or dinner, or stop by Opolo Winery over the weekend for their fire oven pizzas!
