My first intention was to write the usual post of advice on “what wines to drink during the Holidays”. Then I realized that I had too many references, and it would be boring. So this year I want to focus only on one type, which usually wine critics snobby: sweet wines.
In Italy there are many of them, white and red, still (for the most part), but also sparkling.
What should you drink with one of them? Who cares.
The beauty of sweet wines is that they can be drunk - and offered - on their own, they don’t need food necessarily. You can drink them in a moment of joy, melancholy, alone or with friends, in the middle of the afternoon with Christmas cookies, or after dinner. When you just come back from a heavy work day and want to relax.
You can even dare to create some unusual cocktails: a sweet wine is always a pleasure. Mind you, please, treat it with the respect it deserves. It cost a lot of effort, work and patience. More than with other wines.
Said that, here are some ideas:
“Glikòs 2021”, Salento IGT Passito - Cupertinum (Puglia). In Greek language “glikos” means “sweet” (hence the word glucose, sugar), but this Negroamaro made with slightly dried grapes( on racks) is perfectly balanced with small red fruits and acidity. The flavor recalls the cherries under alcohol, in the mouth is a bittersweet. Sligthly tannic, but definitely drinkable. A great wine to bring as a gift for a beloved person. Yourself included.
“Vernaccia di Cannara", Vernaccia di Cannara Colli Martani D.O.C - Di Filippo (Umbria). Never heard about this wine or its grape, Vernaccia di Cannara? Me neither, - and am a sweet wines fan . The truth is, this grape is totally (or almost) unknown out of its production borders, some villages in Periglia province. And so it is its wine. Vernaccia di Cannara is also called Cornetta, and it’s likely a more famous Vernaccia grape local variety. This straw wine is made with dried grapes and when you pour it into the glass, it gives off fantastic scents of violet and raisins. In the mouth it is silky and smooth, with a nice freshness. Drinking it with a slightly salted finger food is what I would do to see how it affects me.
“Sentate”, Recioto della Valpolicella DOCG Classico Spumante “Domini Veneti”- Cantina Valpolicella di Negrar. Stop drinking Prosecco with Italian Pandoro, if you are used to do it. The paring is not the correct one. Give this sparkling wine a try instead. Its fizzy violet bubbles have the right amount of freshness to balance the butter of the cake. Recioto Spumante has been an underestimated style of making Recioto in Valpolicella for a long time, but the rising success of sparkling wines in the world is pushing some producers to produce it again. The cooperative “Cantina Valpolicella Negrar” never stopped making and selling it, although in limited quantities. The grapes are the same as those found in any Valpolicella wine: Corvina, Corvinone, Rondinella, dried for Recioto, then used to make a sparkling wine using the Charmat method, with 6 months on the yeasts.The wine is a vibrant red, with a violet foam and compact perlage. The scent is fruity, between raspberry and black cherry, the taste is sweet, but not too much, with a finish of cherry jam and raisins. Pairing it with almond cake is a traditional choice, but if you want to be a snob, opt for cold meats and then glance at the guests' faces.
Their expressions of delight could surprise you.
Merry Christmas and Happy 2025!