From the high alpine part of Italy bordered by both France and Switzerland, Rosset Valle d’Aosta Trasor (Aosta Valley, Italy, $24) is a minerally red wine that showcases notes of small red fruit, licorice, and black pepper. This wine will go great with braised or stewed meat as well as any hearty pasta dishes. Also try it with aged or semiaged cheese.

Holloran Pinot Noir (Willamette Valley, Oregon, $25) is one of our most popular wines. Owner Bill Holloran visited the shop recently, and it was great to put a face to the fantastic wines that he and his team are producing. This classic Willamette pinot noir has notes of black cherry and strawberry, cinnamon, and even hints of toasted orange peel. This is one of the more food-friendly and versatile wines in the shop. Pair it with anything, but especially beef, game, or any kind of poultry.

Looking for a lighter red? Try Chateau Thivin Cote de Brouilly (Beaujolais, France, $36), an exceptional Brouilly that showcases
the classic characteristics of gamay from this region—red fruit
and minerality that is floral and light on its feet. This wine will pair excellently with pate, roast chicken, duck, and duck confit, as well as a Thanksgiving or Christmas ham.

A delicious Barolo for only $40? It’s true, and even The New York Times agrees. G.D. Vajra Albe Barolo DOCG (Piedmont, Italy, $40) has the classic food-friendly characteristics of Nebbiolo. You’ll discover notes of red fruit, cranberry, rose petals, and figs. While Nebbiolo is an incredibly food-friendly grape, try this wine with lamb, duck, beef, or charcuterie. It also pairs great with cheeses—brie, gruyere, Havarti, mozzarella, and ricotta.

If you really want to treat yourself this season or are looking for a gift for a special someone, Bodegas R. Lopez de Heredia Vina Tondonia Vina Bosconia Rioja Gran Reserva (Rioja, Spain, $170) is the dark horse of the higher-end wines in the shop. Many wine professionals consider this to be their “desert island” wine. Forget Burgundy and Bordeaux and go with this utterly unique and complex 20-year-old rioja. You’ll find characteristic notes of leather, tobacco, dark cherry, raspberry, and umami. Pair it with lamb, pork, or beef. It goes especially well with dishes containing red peppers, garlic, or saffron.

I am a big fan of Rieslings and Gruners when it comes to holiday meal and wine planning. Weingut Muller-Grossmann Kremstal Riesling Furth (Kremstal,
Niederosterreich, Austria, $24) is one of the more popular bottles in the shop. Owned and produced by a female winemaker, this dry Riesling has a lovely expression of minerality and acidity with notes of stone and orchard fruits. Drink it with seafood, chicken, or my personal favorite for both dry and sweet Rieslings—spicy Asian food.

Nigl Gruner Veltliner Alte Reben (Kremstal, Niederosterreich, Austria, $48) is straight-up exceptional. Bright notes of grapefruit, pear, peach, and white pepper are balanced by an outstanding minerality and acidity. Drink it with traditional Austrian Wiener schnitzel, or try it with veal, game birds, or seafood.

Yes, another Riesling, but this time from France. Domaine Ostertag Riesling Heissenberg (Alsace, France, $55) is not your typical lighter Riesling; it’s peachy, minerally, and delicious. This is a full-bodied wine. Drink it with your main course of heartier seafood dishes and dishes with goat cheese or any creamy sauces.

California chardonnays get a bad rap—sometimes, deservedly. So skip the drama and try Evening Land Chardonnay Summum Seven Springs Estate Eola-Amity Hills (Eola-Amity Hills, Oregon, $95), an incredible chardonnay from Oregon. Evening Land’s Seven Springs Vineyard is one of the oldest and most sought-after sites in the Willamette Valley. This chardonnay is citrusy and minerally (wet stones) with notes of brioche and baking spices. It is slightly oaky, but in the best possible way. You cannot go wrong pairing this with chicken and seafood dishes.

Comtesse de Cherisey Puligny-Montrachet 1er Cru (Chalumeaux, Burgundy, France, $200)—what an amazing (and extremely limited) bottle. Notes of orchard fruits blend perfectly with zesty citrus tones. You’ll find a touch of tropical fruit notes as well.
A slight butter, cream, and vanilla flavor add to the body of this exceptional bottle. Overall, this wine is underpinned by a perfect amount of minerality. Pair this with creamy seafood or chicken dishes.

Mousse Fils is making some of our most favorite champagnes right now, and Champagne Brut L’Extra Or d’Eugene (Champagne, France, $74) is no exception. A blend of both new and old vintages, you’ll find fresh fruit and floral notes of the newer wine adding to the depth of the older vintage. It features notes of orchard fruits, lemon peel, white flower, and red fruits and is mineral driven.

Exceptional Beer

Half-Step Beer
& Wine
289 Main Street
Norwich, VT
(802) 649-1970

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