At first glance, tasting a wine can seem overwhelming: reading a wine list, facing the imposing figure of a sommelier pouring, and trying the wine the right way.
Were you put in charge of the wine for the Christmas party and don't know where to start? We spoke with Michi Negrón, a sommelier from Puerto Rico who shared with us on the podcast Punto Aparte four wines perfect for any kind of celebration, at accessible prices, that will earn you compliments from your guests at the Christmas party.
Ronco Calino
Ronco Calino, an Italian sparkling wine, is made using the same method and grapes used to produce Champagne. Champagne, for example, is typically made with chardonnay, a white grape, along with pinot noir and pinomanía, which are red grapes. This sparkling wine is ideal for enjoying alongside pernil. "All the fried food, all these fatty dishes… That's called a contrast pairing. You have all that fat from the fried food or naturally from the lechón, so with this you cleanse the palate, you elevate the experience," the sommelier explained. You can find the Franciacorta Brut, at $46.05, at Ambrosia Fine Foods.
Otronia
From the southernmost winery in the world, Otronia is a testament to what viticulture can achieve on the edge of Argentine Patagonia. "Twenty-five years ago, this wine would not have been possible," Negrón reflected, attributing that to the impact of climate change on the industry. You can find the Otronia 45 Rugientes Pinot Noir at La Bodega de Méndez, for $32.50.
Jackson-Triggs
The Jackson-Triggs Entourage Grand Reserve Brut 2017, straight from Niagara Falls, demonstrates Canada's excellence in sparkling wine production. Made with pinot noir, this vintage wine shows what Negrón enthusiastically describes as "super, super yeasty" characteristics, in this case with distinctive almond notes and hints of turrón. La Bodega de Méndez carries it for $35.10.
Champagne Bonaire
The tasting ended with what Negrón declares is "the best wine in Puerto Rico right now": Champagne Bonaire. From the saline soils of the Côte des Blancs, this Grand Cru illustrates why the Champagne region of France remains the benchmark for sparkling wines. It is available at Bodegas Compostela for $42.95, and its notable quality-to-price ratio is the most compelling reason to pick it up during the holiday season.
How to taste a wine
Negrón explains that in the experience of tasting a wine, smell accounts for 85%, so it is essential to take the time to savor it with all your senses.
Swirl the glass. With sparkling wines, you should swirl so the wine comes into contact with oxygen and the aromas are released. Note: be careful not to swirl too much, as it can affect the bubbles. Negrón shows you how here.
Smell the wine. Smelling the wine not only gives you an idea of what you are about to drink, it also lets you detect any flaws. For example, Negrón explains that oxygen is both the enemy and the friend of wine. If something is wrong with the wine, you will detect it by smelling.
Take advantage and pair your wine. A pairing is a harmony between what you eat and what you drink. There are three types: contrast pairing, such as matching a wine with the fat of lechón or a fried dish, which cleanses the palate and elevates the experience; in harmony pairing, the food and the drink complement each other, as when you take a piece of chocolate cake and pair it with a glass of port; and regional pairing, in which if a wine and a food come from the same place, they will likely work well together.
No need to break the bank
There are wines that go beyond familiar names and regions, offering enthusiasts a world to explore with all their senses, at accessible prices. Negrón also points out that beyond traditional red wine, sparkling wines pair well with local Puerto Rican cuisine.
Photo: Getty Images
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This content was translated with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence (AI).
