Top Ten Wines Bring To Your New Year's Eve Party

Happy New Year!!
So, it has been a pretty dry 2013 overall in the Unfussy Wine household with baby arriving but we are hoping that 2014 will bring a new commitment to wine enjoyment and solid food for little Morgan. :)

We will be spending a very quiet New Year's Eve (NYE) as a family and we may make it to midnight and then again we may not.  There is also no guarantee that wine of any kind will be consumed....but ya never know.

So, for all those who will be enjoying the transition to 2014 in style we thought we would put in front of you our Ten Ten Wines to go with you tonight as you enjoy your celebrations.  PLUS, if you are attending at a residence that is not yours it is always polite to bring something with you and yes we are talking to you twenty-somethings.  Be a good party guest and don't just BYOB.  So, without further adieu, the list starting at 10:

10. Aussie Shiraz - this is a great starter red for those white wine drinkers in the house and very good with food.  Lots of jammy fruit and some residual sugars make it easy for those white winos to get involved.  Barossa Valley Estates E Minor is a good one, click here for our review.

9. German or Okanagan Gewurztraminer - this is easy drinking white wine that appeals to a wide variety of palates AND it goes great with chips and dip.  Slightly sweet and full of body it makes a great party wine.  We liked PJ Valckenberg, click here for our review.

8. Italian Soave - if there are Pinot Grigio fans in the house they will love this.  It is slightly less sweet with maybe a little oak but is complex and yet easy drinking.  We just sampled one, review coming soon.

7. Chilean Carménère - this is for the hosts who might like a little bolder wine.  We have yet to be disappointed by this grape.  Lots of body and flavour at usually a really great price.  Santa Ema is a good one if you can find it, head to head review here.

6. Spanish Rioja - so the hosts like oaky wines, eh?  Well, then give it to them.  Rioja is a personal favorite of ours and for the price you can get a lot of big wine flavours.  If you can find El Coto de Rioja wherever you are, buy it.  It is awesome.

5. Kiwi Sauvignon Blanc - tropical fruit on the nose and the palate and it goes with just about anything AND reminds of the warmer temperatures to come....soon we hope.  We haven't had too many bad experiences with NZ Wines but the 2013 Matua version is a standout.  

4. Niagara Riesling - flinty and off-dry means approachable wine for everyone.  Many people will naturally enjoy this wine as it has some complexity to it but that residual sugar makes it something that your non-wine drinkers might even enjoy.  For a very slightly less sweet version the Kim Crawford Dry Riesling is great.

3. Italian Prosecco - pay a couple bucks more for this bubbly and you will be pleased with the results.  It is NYE so bubbly is kind of a must at some point so get the better stuff.  Also, acceptable are Cavas from Spain and Sparklers from California or Nova Scotia.  You can blow the budget on Champagne or the higher end NS Bubbly and being NYE we wouldn't talk you out of it.  The Wine Tourist just did a NS Bubbly run down, you can find that article here.

2. Something You've Never Tried Before - never tried Petit Verdot, Mencia, Albariño, Torrontes, Tannat, Dao, Chinon, or Tidal Bay?  The list is endless, so go out on a limb and live a little.  If you hate it, never buy it again....and well maybe bring a backup bottle just in case. :)

1. That Bottle You've Been Saving - let's be honest, life goes by in the blink of an eye.  Who knows what 2014 will bring.  Hopefully lots of good things but if you bought a good bottle for that "Special Occasion" what better time than NYE to give it a go.  Who cares what it costs.  Share it with your best friends and family and drink it already.

So that's the list.  We hope you have a Happy New Year and a very prosperous 2014 to come.  Have a glass tonight for us!


Keep on tasting!

Chris & Shannon

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