Forget the Classic Chard: Here Are the Challenge-Yourself Bottles to Bring to Holiday Dinner

Ah, the dreaded holiday wine pick. On the one hand, you personally like to push the vinous boundaries, especially on big occasions. On the other hand, you just got Pop to warm up to pinot, and Mom so loves her chardonnay. So instead of being that person who’s being forced to spend the first two courses explaining exactly why a young dolcetto goes with turkey, why not try to move the needle in more a comfortable but meaningful way this year? Just a little tweak here and there on age or grape, and the whole fam will be more likely to want to go with you on the journey.

Unusual Wines to Pair With Christmas Dinner

1. Jansz Brut, $49

I’ve spent the last several years singing the praises of B.C. sparkling, and it’s still a go-to for high-quality, well-priced bubbles. But sometimes a wine drinker likes to branch out… as in all the way to Tasmania, Australia’s southern island that also specializes in cool-climate grapes. This bottle follows a very Champagne-y journey: chardonnay and pinot noir, secondary fermentation in the bottle and an electric, vibrant thrill when it lands in the glass. It’s light enough to be downright ethereal on its own, but there’s also some hidden depth that would love to stand up to a ladle full of gravy. A delight.

2. Château Verdignan 2005, $55

The Brits love serving aged “claret” with turkey. Truthfully, they love serving it with everything, but they’re on to something with turkey because—as in all things—age strips away the vigour and brashness. What you’re left with is a medium- bodied wonder that makes its hay in subtlety. And, luckily for us, the BCL always sources a bottle or two of really aged Bordeaux from lesser regions and then offers them up at a steal—like this bottle from the Haut-Médoc that’s in the twilight of its viability but may still have a Christmas miracle or two left in it.

3. Gachot Monot Bourgogne Aligoté, $31

Even Mom and Pop shudder when they think about the price of Burgundy these days, but absolute revelations exist for those willing to wander off the bold-name path. A case in point: here you have an excellent value-driven producer like Gachot Monot producing a less well-known grape (aligoté, a high acid, citrus-heavy partner to the more expected chardonnay) with all the care of a Grand Cru. Add six years of bottle age to soften the edges and you have a prestige wine at a bargain price that will satisfy both the sauvignon blanc and chardonnay fans. And the snobs, too.

Gift Idea for the Wine Nerd in Your Life: the Ah-So Cork Puller

We’re dealing with some older bottles here so the lever-style Rabbit, a Christmas present from 14 years ago, is a no-go, as it just tears the cork up. You can make like a somm and try to finesse an old cork out with a classic waiter’s corkscrew, or you could put one of these babies in your arsenal. The twin blades grab onto the cork’s side to avoid the dreaded coring out, and they’re widely available for a modest amount at most wine stores (or even Amazon in a pinch). $12