2011 gift guide: A wine for everyone on your list(7)
For: Those who want a lighter touch to their holiday reds.
The plan: Tap the bounty of the Jura, where alpine snow and light wines live in harmony.
The details: With the weight of holiday food, and holiday drink, why not put your cheer in vinous form with something that brightens your step? That's where the 2010 Domaine de la Tournelle L'Uva Arbosiana Arbois Ploussard ($21, 12.5%, JoliVin) comes in. Tournelle keeps these wines from a newly hip region quite affordable, so the cool floral edges to almost transparent berry fruit are something anyone can experience. Consider it for a latke pairing.
For: A sweet-tooth friend seeking enlightenment.
The plan: A bit of Moscato from heavy hitters in the red realm.
The details: Moscato d'Asti is one of life's great uncomplicated pleasures - fizzy, fresh, ready to please. While Moscato in general is on a crazy roll into mass popularity (one of the wine industry's best ideas in years), there's a purpose to learning from the masters. In this case, there's good reason why some of the top names in Barolo also dabble in Moscato: It's irresistible when done well. Which brings us to the 2010 Massolino Moscato d'Asti ($22, 5.0%, Domaine Select Wine Estates), made by Serralunga d'Alba's master of Nebbiolo. With a flourishy nose of ginger, tarragon, clove and rose petal in addition to the usual orange blossom and heady peach fruit, there's plenty here to add some serious weight to the carefree. Versions from Barolisti like Vietti and G.J. Vajra will do the same: offer a great, fresh treat from those who've staked their names on very serious winemaking.
- Jon Bonné
