There are only a few days left in this year.
Many people will be spending the end of the year relaxing at home with family, relatives and friends, right?
For such gatherings, you want to prepare delicious food and delicious alcohol to go with it. When it comes to alcohol during the year-end and New Year holidays, sake and beer are the standard, but this year, why not change things up and consider wine as an option?
In this article, we will introduce how to choose the perfect wine for the New Year holidays, as well as some recommendations for New Zealand wines that are a favorite of Iwasu, the sommelier who supervises this site.
Be sure to read this article, prepare some delicious wine, and enjoy a special New Year's holiday with your loved ones!
How to choose wine for the New Year holidays?
The year-end and New Year holidays are a time when many people gather with family, relatives, friends, and others whom they don't get to see often. In particular, when it comes to family gatherings, people of all ages and with different tastes in food tend to be at odds with one another, so it can be hard to know what kind of wine to choose.
In such cases, try to choose wines that even people who are not accustomed to drinking wine can enjoy !
in particular,
- Sparkling wine
- Fruity white wine
- Light red wine
- sweet wine
It is a good idea to choose a wine from among these four types.
I will explain the reason in detail when I introduce some recommended New Zealand wines.
If you know in advance that there will be wine lovers among the people at the gathering, we recommend casually researching their wine preferences .
Also, if someone has experience traveling, studying or working abroad and has a "connection" to a country, bringing along some wine from that country is sure to spark conversation.
The important thing is to choose wine while imagining the happy look on the recipient's face.
New Zealand wines especially recommended for the New Year holidays
From here on, I will introduce my recommended New Zealand wines, in order, from the four types of wine I mentioned earlier.
New Zealand wines are characterized by their fresh, fruity, and familiar aromas and flavors . If you have never tried New Zealand wine before, this is your chance to give it a try.
1. Sparkling wine
For auspicious events like New Year's, the first thing we recommend is sparkling wine. The way the bubbles rise in the glass is gorgeous, making it perfect for celebratory occasions.
One item that is especially recommended is the sparkling wine made using the rich Champagne method.
In the Champagne method, the wine that has already been fermented is fermented again in the bottle, a process known as "secondary fermentation in the bottle." Although this process is very time-consuming, it produces wine with fine bubbles and a very elegant flavor. Many of these wines also have just the right amount of acidity and sweetness, making them a great accompaniment to a wide range of meals, such as hotpots and New Year's dishes.
Among these sparkling wines, here are some recommended New Zealand wine brands.
Osawa Wines Prestige Collection Methode Traditionale Brut NV
| Winery Name | Osawa Wines |
|---|---|
| Grape variety | 52% Pinot Noir, 48% Chardonnay |
| Origin | Hawke's Bay |
| Vintage | Non-Vintage |
| Suggested retail price | 5,500 yen (tax included) |
Osawa Wines, owned by Japanese owner Taizo Osawa, is based in Hawke's Bay, a relatively warm region that specializes in producing slightly stronger wines.
This wine is from the top model Prestige Collection. It features concentrated fruit flavors and a complex taste that comes with aging.
If you pour it into a larger glass, the aroma will be more pronounced.
2. Fruity white wine
Fruity white wines, which have a strong fruity aroma, are characterized by the fact that even those who are new to wine are likely to have a good impression of them, saying, "Oh, what a nice smell."
Sauvignon Blanc, which accounts for more than 70% of New Zealand's wines, is a representative fruity white wine, with bursting aromas and flavors of citrus fruits and herbs.
This is a wine that is particularly useful in the first half of a meal, such as with appetizers, and goes exceptionally well with vegetables, fish, chicken, and pork.
Here are some recommended fruity white wines:
Invivo x Sarah Jessica Parker Sauvignon Blanc
| Winery Name | Invivo |
|---|---|
| Grape variety | Sauvignon Blanc |
| Origin | Marlborough |
| Vintage | 2022 |
| Suggested retail price | 2,860 yen (tax included) |
This wine was created with the involvement of Hollywood actress Sarah Jessica Parker in the wine-making process. The sur lie process enhances the flavor.
It has a strong sourness and a refreshing taste, making it easy to pair with food, especially with crustaceans such as shrimp and crab. It also goes well with fried foods such as fried chicken. The crisp sourness harmonizes well with the oil in the dish.
In terms of taste, it is classified as "dry", but it has a very fruity mouthfeel, so even those who are not used to drinking dry wines will surely find it delicious.
3. Light red wine
When bringing red wine to a large gathering, it is best to choose a lighter style of red wine with less astringency.
As for the variety, we recommend "Pinot Noir." Red wine made from Pinot Noir often has a gentle flavor with little astringency, so even those who don't usually drink red wine or don't like astringent wines can drink it relatively easily.
Also, when it comes to varieties, it is a "high-end variety" and is used for special hospitality, making it perfect for New Year's.
As I mentioned earlier, Sauvignon Blanc is the representative variety of New Zealand, but in fact New Zealand is also known as a famous producer of Pinot Noir. New Zealand Pinot has a rich berry-like fruitiness and is a little stronger than that of Burgundy.
NZ Pino can be paired with a variety of meat dishes. It is especially great with hotpots where meat is the main ingredient, such as shabu-shabu and sukiyaki. It is also recommended for stews that use soy sauce, mirin, and sugar.
Palliser Estate Pencarrow Pinot Noir
| Winery Name | Palliser Estate |
|---|---|
| Grape variety | Pinot Noir |
| Origin | Martinborough |
| Vintage | 2018 |
| Suggested retail price | 3,520 yen (tax included) |
The Martinborough region, where Palliser Estate is based, is said to be the wine-producing region in New Zealand with the most similar climate and soil conditions to Burgundy.
Here, rather than the "fruity-oriented" Pinot Noir that is characteristic of New Zealand, many wines are produced that have a well-balanced mix of other elements.
This Pino has a very mild flavor. It goes well with shabu-shabu and pork and Chinese cabbage hotpot. It also goes well with roast chicken and roast beef.
4. Sweet wine
Sweet wines are especially recommended for people who aren't big fans of regular wine.
When you finish your meal and want to take a break, having a sweet wine will make your after-dinner moments very elegant.
Sweet wines go well with sweet desserts such as cakes and chocolates, of course, but they also go well with blue cheese.
Green Songs Late Harvest Riesling (500ml)
| Winery Name | Green Songs |
|---|---|
| Grape variety | Riesling |
| Origin | Wairarapa, Gladstone |
| Vintage | 2019 |
| Suggested retail price | 3,190 yen (tax included) |
Green Songs is a winery run by brewer Koyama Kohei, who has an unusual background as a graduate of the University of Tokyo and former financial man.
This is Green Songs' first dessert wine (sweet wine) made with Riesling.
This wine, called "Late Harvest," is made by delaying the grape harvest and using grapes with a higher sugar content to create a sweeter wine.
Wines that go well with New Year's dishes
Osechi ryori is an essential part of New Year's celebrations. It is packed with a little bit of sumptuous seafood, meat, and auspicious stews, and is very visually appealing.
For the New Year's feast, which uses such a wide variety of ingredients, we recommend sparkling wine , which can be paired with a wide range of dishes. The beautiful bubbles are perfect for the start of a festive year.
Dry rosé wines also go well with a variety of dishes. They combine the crisp acidity of white wine with the slightly pleasant astringency of red wine, making them perfect for celebratory occasions.
Here are two recommended New Zealand wines to pair with New Year's dishes.
Johanneshof Cellars Methode Traditionelle Emy Brut
| Winery Name | Johanneshof Cellars |
|---|---|
| Grape variety | 75% Pinot Noir, 25% Chardonnay |
| Origin | Marlborough |
| Vintage | 2011 |
| Suggested retail price | 6,820 |
Johanneshof Cellars grows grapes on steeply sloping vineyards, which is unusual in Marlborough, which is mostly flat land and gentle hills.
It is made using highly concentrated grapes and undergoes secondary fermentation in the bottle, resulting in fine bubbles and a rich aroma.
It's a gorgeous, dry sparkling wine, perfect for New Year's dishes and potluck parties.
Atalangi Rosé
| Winery Name | Atalangi |
|---|---|
| Grape variety | Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Syrah, Pinot Noir |
| Origin | Wairarapa |
| Vintage | 2021 |
| Suggested retail price | 3,300 yen (tax included) |
This wine is a dry rosé made from four types of black grapes, and has an exquisite balance between the freshness of the fruit and the bitter taste from the skin, with a firm acidity that balances the overall flavor.
It has a complex flavour and is a perfect match for a variety of dishes, from vegetables to fish and meat.
"Atarangi" means "new beginning" in Maori. I think this wine is perfect for New Year's, the beginning of the year.
Recommended wines to bring home
Here are a few things to keep in mind when bringing wine as a gift to your parents' house or a hometown visitor.
First, let's talk about the temperature of the wine. White wine and sparkling wine should be chilled to enjoy them to the fullest. So, as soon as you arrive at your parents' or relatives' house, put the wine in the refrigerator to chill it.
Sparkling wine is perfect for toasting, but there is a risk of it spilling over if it is shaken while being transported, so it is best to have it delivered to your destination the day before you plan to uncork it.
If you're preparing several bottles of wine for a gathering, it's a good idea to stock the same brands so that everyone has one or two glasses of the same wine.
Also, as a guideline for wine prices, the probability of a delicious wine increases in the 3,000 yen and above zone. (This is only a guideline!) If you are looking for wines over 5,000 yen, you will likely find many with very concentrated flavors. If you want to choose a memorable wine for the New Year holidays, I think 10,000 yen or more is a good choice. Old vintage wines are often hard to come by and expensive, but it would be nice to give the recipient a wine from a memorable year.
But when it comes to choosing wine, it's important to do your research. Find out as much as you can about the wine tastes of the person you're giving the wine to.
Here are some recommended wines to bring home when you go home!
Puriri Hills Clevedon Estate
| Winery Name | Puriri Hills |
|---|---|
| Grape variety | 59% Merlot, 14% Cabernet Franc Carmenere 14%, Malbec 13% |
| Origin | Auckland |
| Vintage | 2016 |
| Suggested retail price | 6,600 yen (tax included) |
Puriri Hills is a winery that was ranked first in 2020 by the New Zealand wine rating organization "THE REAL REVIEW".
This Crevton is a full-bodied wine with a mellow, rich, concentrated flavor. Try pairing it with high-quality meat dishes.
This wine is best paired with delicious beef dishes, such as steak or sukiyaki.
Wines that go well with New Year's dishes
Wine is meant to be enjoyed with food, so if you have already decided on your New Year's menu, we recommend choosing a wine that matches the food.
Here we will introduce wines that go well with classic New Year's dishes other than Osechi.
Sukiyaki
Sukiyaki is a Japanese dish that is often eaten on special occasions!
This wine goes well with classic Japanese seasonings made with soy sauce and sugar.
Villa Maria Private Bin Merlot/Cabernet Sauvignon/Malbec
| Winery Name | Villa Maria |
|---|---|
| Grape variety | 49% Merlot, 45% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Malbec |
| Origin | Hawke's Bay |
| Vintage | 2020 |
| Suggested retail price | 2,200 yen (tax included) |
A Bordeaux blend wine made by Villa Maria, a leading New Zealand wine company.
This wine follows the style of the Bordeaux region of France, and has a pronounced richness and astringency.
This vintage has a higher Cabernet ratio, making it more drinkable. At this price, this flavor sets it apart from other New Zealand wines.
Grilled meat
Everyone loves yakiniku, from kids to adults. Although beer is the standard pairing for yakiniku, there are actually wines that go perfectly with it.
If you like meat, this wine is for you.
Invivo Central Otago Pinot Noir 2019
| Winery Name | Invivo |
|---|---|
| Grape variety | Pinot Noir |
| Origin | Central Otago |
| Vintage | 2019 |
| Suggested retail price | 4,290 yen (tax included) |
This wine comes from Central Otago, a region that is attracting attention from Pinot Noir lovers around the world, and has a strong, visually intense flavor for a Pinot Noir.
It has a soft texture and a strong flavor, and the flavor and astringency lingers in your mouth even after you swallow it.
To enjoy this aftertaste even more, it is recommended to pair it with a slightly fatty meat dish.
Sushi
Sushi made with fresh seafood is colorful and a staple on special occasions.
If you have never tried the combination of sushi and wine, this is your chance to give it a try.
Cloudy Bay Perolus NV
| Winery Name | Cloudy Bay |
|---|---|
| Grape variety | 60% Chardonnay, 40% Pinot Noir |
| Origin | Marlborough |
| Vintage | Non-vintage |
| Suggested retail price | 4,546 yen (tax included) |
"Cloudy Bay is a winery representing New Zealand. Their Perolus is an authentic sparkling wine made through secondary fermentation in the bottle.
This is also recommended for those who usually drink champagne but would like to try a different sparkling wine for once.
The winemaker who actually makes this wine said, "When I tried this wine with sushi in Japan, I was amazed at how well it matched."
Crab hotpot
During the New Year holidays, there are many crabs on sale in stores. Many families probably have crab hotpot during the New Year holidays.
Here are some wines that go well with crab hotpot.
Astrolabe Kekereng Coast Sauvignon Blanc
| Winery Name | Astrolabe |
|---|---|
| Grape variety | Sauvignon Blanc |
| Origin | Marlborough |
| Vintage | 2020 |
| Suggested retail price | 3,190 yen (tax included) |
This wine is made from grapes grown in Kekereng, Marlborough, a very small wine-growing region surrounded by the sea and mountains.
The grapes grown in the coastal fields are rich in minerals and have a rock salt aftertaste. This wine has a salty taste of the sea, which is quite rare among New Zealand wines.
It goes very well with seafood dishes, so it's perfect for crab hotpot!
summary
The year-end and New Year holidays are an important time of year to thank people for their hard work during the past year and to celebrate the New Year.
During this time of year, there are many more opportunities to enjoy extravagant meals than usual on the dinner table. For such special dishes, be sure to prepare a wine that goes well with them.
I'm sure the food will taste even better!
Be sure to prepare some delicious wine and welcome the new year!
