December’s holiday festivities encompass many cultures and religions, a variety of traditional dinners, and a multitude of ways to spend New Year’s. Luckily, most of these happy times include wine or champagne in the course of celebrating the holiday spirit. And, fortunately, Tarrytown, Sleepy Hollow and Irvington each have knowledgeable wine purveyors who have taken the time to pick and feature holiday offerings, highlight unusual sparkling wines, or suggest pairings for those special meals we all enjoy. Whether you are hosting a dinner or attending as a guest, our local merchants will give you expert guidance in your selections.

“No matter what you are serving - turkey, ham, or roast beef at Christmas dinner - you want robust bigger wines that lend themselves to heartier fare,” says John Sarofeen, owner of Grape Expectations. And, that means pinot noirs, cabernet sauvignons, merlots, malbecs, all in plentiful selection in our area stores. River View Wine & Spirits owner, William Arroyo, suggests that, “depending upon your guests’palates, you want to provide a variety of tastes.” So, you might choose either a Nicholas Cole Cellars GraEagle Red Wing 2005, estate blend from Washington State’s vineyard laden Columbia Valley, with its rich, chewy and peppery complex flavors: or a fruit forward richer, full-bodied pinot noir from Oregon’s Willamette Valley like the Sharecropper (Owen Roe), 2008, both available at Grape Expectations. California Zinfandels up the intensity from pinot noirs and will complement roast beef or pork with style. Arroyo suggests the Rabbit Ridge 2007, Estate Grown Zinfandel as a perfect and affordable Christmas dinner complement.

Grown originally in southeastern France, malbec has become the premier wine in the Mendoza region of Argentina. Malbec’s rich taste, with hints of blackberry and plum, are becoming increasingly popular throughout the world. “And Catena Malbec 2004 is considered one of the best,” says Rodney Rodriguez. His Sleepy Hollow store, Village Wine & Spirits Shoppe, carries a large variety of Chilean wines as well. The organic De Martino, from the famed Maipo Valley, is a cabernet, malbec blend - a real find. And, Root 1, grown from original, ungrafted vines, is famous for its ruby color, early taste of plum and blackberries morphing into cherry, vanilla then a chocolate finish. Malbecs and other Chilean wines are reasonably priced and deliver intense red fruit sometimes spicy flavors that will hold up wit h herb scented meats and hearty festive accompaniments.

Harald Edegran, Irvington Wines & Liquor owner’s, real discovery (rarely sold though quickly gaining in popularity) is the Lebanese vin rouge, Massaya 2007. Produced from ancient vineyards in the Bekaa Valley, Massaya, which means “twilight,” has a subtle, fruity and casual flavor that will complement any holiday meal. He also recommends Cline 2007 Ancient Vines Mourverde for a big, intense, full-bodied taste tempered with a hint of berries. Mourverde is another unusual find and a perfect complement to roasted meats, grilled pork, and even chocolate.

Channukah, too, can get a make-over this year, and need no longer be celebrated with old-school, sweet wine. Instead, try one of Arroyo’s unusual, varied selection of kosher wines from Israel. The higher end Ella Valley Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon, 2004 or the Chardonnay 2007, two boutique, world-class wines produced in the Judean Hills just outside Jerusalem, will surprise you with their complex, French aromas, smoothness and taste. Two more interesting choices for Channukah would be Hai 2007 Merlot, and Jacob Muscat, a sweet dessert wine – the perfect finishing touch to any meal.

New Years isn’t New Years without champagne, and you will find excellent selections of traditional French champagnes throughout the rivertowns. But, try something different this year. At Grape Expectations, you will find Roederer Estate NV (non-vintage), Anderson Valley Brut. This elegant sparkling wine comes from the same producer as Roederer’s famed “Cristal”, but at a reasonable price. It is crisp, “sparkling, with complex pear, spice and hazelnut flavors,” says owner Sarofeen. He also carries a Grand Brut Rose No.1, Domaine Vincent, a blend of pinot noir and chardonnay grapes that combines pale fruit notes with a smooth mineral quality.

Cava, Spain’s sparkling wine named for the “cavas” or cellars in which it is produced, is fast becoming a popular alternative to champagne, especially given cava’s affordable price. For a more complex, aged version of cava, Sarofeen recommends Roger Goulart 2005, Semi Seco (semi-dry) Cava, because of its smooth, light texture and fruity sparkle. Edegran, enjoys Casas Del Mar Brut Blanc de Blanc; he carries the Casas del Mar Rose Cava as well. Arroyo, suggests Mirabelle Brut Rose, and Rodruiguez features Cristalino Cava, a NY Times premier selection as well as the ever-popular Freixienet Cordon Negro in the elegant black bottle.

Or choose, Prosecco, Italy’s sparkling wine from the Veneto region, for your New Year’s celebration. Edegran’s Tutela Prosecca or Bianche Rocca de Fae are two outstanding choices, both with light, orchard fruit tones. Prosecco Villa Jolanda, in a festively decorated bottle, perfect for Christmas gift giving, will be a featured item at Rodriguez’ Sleepy Hollow store. Another version of cava, found at Grape Expectations, Vertice, Vinho Espumante de Douro, is a Portuguese sparkling wine. Schramsberg, a high-end American champagne producer from the Napa Valley, offers a variety of sparkling wines dry, sweet, rose, that all feature elegant French styling and are available locally.

Italy, Spain, Portugal, Israel, America, France – you can treat your hosts to a much-appreciated world tour of wine with gifts or, better yet, serve a variety of sparkling wines at home and enjoy yourself in the process.

Prospero Ano Nuevo – A Prosperous New Year – To All