Holiday Wine That Won't Break The Bank

Piper Heidsieck NV Cuvée Brut Champagne ($40) Notes of biscuit, almond and toast add a bit of richness to the wine’s citrus-and-stone fruit core. A solid nonvintage Champagne; this time of year, it should already be chilling in your refrigerator.

Louis Jadot 2013 Meursault ($65) Chardonnay done right: Clean, pure, and round on the palate, with notes of pastry cream, citrus, and almond on the nose. All that a party needs, and then some.

Domaine William Fevre 2012 Vaulorent Premier Cru Chablis ($60) A laser beam of intensity and focus, layered with minerality and mouthwatering citrus flavors. This top-class Chardonnay will please even your pickiest guests.

Robert Mondavi Winery 2013 Reserve To Kalon Vineyard Fumé Blanc Napa Valley ($50) A fuller, richer Sauvignon Blanc than you’re probably used to but paired with a winter menu, that’s a good thing. Cream and toast accents don’t detract from a core of minerality and melon/citrus flavors.

Cave de Tain 2009 Les Hauts du Fief Crozes-Hermitage ($27) This Rhône Syrah feels fresh and unmanipulated; focused blackberry/plum and stone notes drift off into a muscular, mocha finish. So enjoyable, and appropriate for aperitif through dinner.

Chateau de Chamirey 2012 Les Ruelles Mercurey Premier Cru ($55) Burgundy lovers, rejoice. This Pinot is so fragrant—floral, mineral, some nutmeg—and has a minerally shell that melts seamlessly into a black cherry center.

Chateau Lyonnat 2010 Lussac-St. Emilion ($27) This Merlot-dominant (85%) Bordeaux has finely textured tannins and a masculine blackberry-and-earth profile. It’s modern, tasty and is totally a “drink with meat” main-course wine.

Dutton-Goldfield 2013 Fox Den Vineyard Pinot Noir Green Valley ($58) Well, hello there. The Fox Den is a smooth, juicy California Pinot whose cherry fruit has darker hints of cola, bacon and dark berries. It’s a wine most everyone will enjoy, and it’s versatile enough to go from cocktail hour to entrée.

Stony Hill 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley ($60) This classically styled Cab is muscular and textured with tangy berry fruit; neutral oak treatment allows the fruit to shine. Bonus: This winery has produced Chardonnay for decades but this is only their fourth vintage of Cab—the C-suite Cab lovers probably haven’t had this one yet.

Marchesi Antinori 2013 Il Bruciato Tenuta Guado al Tasso Bolgheri DOC ($30)Look to this robust Italian when you want Cabernet, but are willing to mix it up a bit: It’s 65% Cabernet with Merlot and Syrah making up the balance, with meaty, bitter chocolate and spice notes accenting the tangy red fruit.

Jansz NV Brut Tasmania ($22) This Australian sparkler is reminiscent of California sparkling wines, showing light toast, white stone fruit and mineral notes throughout and a bright citrusy snap on the finish.

Bodegas Castro Martin 2013 Sobre Lías Albariño Rías Baixas ($20) Serve this palate-priming Spanish white as guests arrive: It’s all about minerality and brisk acidity, but has just enough stone and tropical fruit flavors to round it out.

Esporão 2013 Reserva White Alentejo DOC ($20) If you had to guess, you might peg this blend of Portuguese white grape varieties (plus 10% Sauvignon Blanc) as unoaked Chardonnay. It has a bouncy, medium feel; flavors are of melon, white peach and little citrus.

Tascante 2013 Buonora Carricante Sicilia DOC ($20) This all-purpose Sicilian white wine is clean and demure. Minerality plays first fiddle, and citrus sits second chair.

Coppo 2013 L’Avvocata Barbera d’Asti ($15) A surprisingly smooth, goes-down-easy Barbera. There’s a clay/earth quality throughout and chewy, plump red fruit. It’s a solid but different choice if there’s Italian anything on your menu.

Particular 2011 Viñas Centenarias Garnacha Cariñena DO ($22) This Spanish red is chock full of black cherry and blackberry, accented with caramel. Dark, alluring, and a little reminiscent of Aussie Grenache. Yum.

¿Por Qué No? 2012 Red Wine Napa Valley ($30) This offbeat Zinfandel-dominant blend has a superdark flavor profile—think cassis, blueberry, and mocha—but it’s not so rich that it doesn’t pair well with food. A nice choice for lamb or steak entrees.