Byron’s Bottle Shop: Holiday Edition
Hi everyone! It’s Byron, Oyster Sunday’s Digital Marketing Manager and resident wine guy. I’m back with a holiday edition of Byron’s Bottle Shop. If you missed my first edition of wine recommendations, you can check it out here.
Those who live far away from family know the juggling act of traveling for the holidays. Sadly, this year I’m staying back in New York as my family gathers in California.
At Lo family gatherings, I’m typically responsible for selecting wines, and it’s always a fun challenge to find the right pairing for each personality in the family. My guess is that you might have similar characters at your party, so this holiday season I curated a list of wine recommendations centered around a few of my dear family members.
Enjoy!
Byron Lo
Digital Marketing Manager
Oyster Sunday
For Bernice, a.k.a The Party Starter:
Camillo Donati 2020 Lambrusco dell'Emilia
My sister, Bernice, is known for getting the party going. She’s a burst of energy, a lover of communal games, and a master at getting even the most disinterested of guests involved. Enter: Lambrusco. This sparkling wine has a misconstrued reputation for being cheap and too sweet as was the style of mass-marketed bottles in the 70’s. The truth is Lambrusco can be made in many different styles, and the best ones have always been incredible. This particular bottle is dry and lightly sparkling, with notes of dark cherries and strong tannins. It’s fun and refreshing, and it’s sure to convince even the most notorious skeptics to jump into the party.
For Uncle Brian, a.k.a. The Crowd Pleaser:
Domaine de la Cadette 2020 Bourgogne Rouge “Champs Cadet”
Uncle Brian is one loveable dude. He’s the Lo family grillmaster, comes to every party wearing a fun shirt, and after a few drinks throws down some serious dance moves. What pairs well with his juicy lamb chops and keeps things fun? This pinot noir does just the trick. The Montanet family has done an incredible job making wines from Burgundy approachable. This organically-farmed pinot is full of red fruit notes like strawberry and raspberry complete with complexity and a kiss of acidity.
For Aunt Margaret, a.k.a. The Side Whisperer:
Rogue Vine, 2021 Grand Itata Blanco
It’s halftime at the Thanksgiving dinner table. You’ve finished your first plate full of various smoked meats, mashed potatoes, cheeses, and dinner rolls, and all you really want are some veggies to make you feel better about yourself. That’s when you notice it: a gorgeous beet salad with leafy greens and goat cheese dressed in a tangy balsamic vinaigrette. Aunt Margaret is to thank for this perfect side. To pair with the vegetables on your holiday table, here’s a wine from Chile’s Itata Valley. This blend of moscatel, riesling, and semillon is floral on the nose and has a great minerality that complements the most elegant of sides.
Cheers, Aunt Margaret.
For the Karaoke crew, a.k.a. The Big Bottle Option:
Domaine Mosse, 2022 Bisou, preferably 1.5L
Everyone has their post-meal traditions. Maybe a round of Codenames, post-meal cappuccinos, or a turkey-induced nap. For my family, we do karaoke. As the karaoke machine gets pulled out and the whole family begins belting "Take Me Home, Country Roads," I reach for a magnum from Domaine Mosse because, why not? This light red from the beloved Mosse family is refreshing with raspberry and violet notes that sing almost as good as cousin Michelle’s version of Taylor Swift’s “Enchanted.”
It’s been quite the night.
Grandpa is sinking into the couch and the family dog is fully sprawled on the floor. Warm hugs are exchanged as the designated drivers shepherd their crew into their cars. It’s another holiday in the books filled with food, dance, and incredible wine.
I’ll be raising a glass this year too, although I might just be a touch more homesick.
