Wines for Santa
Choosing Wine Based on Your Cookie of Choice
To be upfront, this article is not about pairing wine and cookies. Unless we’re talking dessert wines (and I do love a Moscato d’Asti with a creamy custard laced with fresh fruit), I’m a firm believer that dry table wines and sweet desserts don’t pair well. Instead, I’ve selected a few common cookie types and corresponding wines to match; the idea is that the prominent flavors found in the cookie are reflected in its partner wine. It’s a little silly, to be sure, but hey … we all love wine and we all love cookies.
Chocolate Chip: Domaine La Fourmone La Fauquet Gigondas 2012
Just as you can please a crowd with a big batch of chocolate chip cookies, so too will this southern Rhône Gigondas please a wide array of palates. It’s silky, it’s decadent, and it’s classic.
Snickerdoodles: Joan d’Anguera Altaroses 2013
This Spanish Garnacha has distinct baking spices on the long, rich finish — cinnamon, clove, spice and everything nice. Just like a warm Snickerdoodle fresh from the oven.
Shortbread: Waterstone Carneros Chardonnay 2013
With rich vanilla and toasty caramel notes with a creamy, buttery texture, this classic California Chardonnay is perfect in its decadent simplicity, just like old-school shortbread cookies.
Jam Thumbprint Cookies: Peirano Estate The Immortal Zin 2013
If you love the sweet-yet-tart raspberry or strawberry jam notes in thumbprint or sandwich cookies, your wine partner is surely a jammy, fruity Zinfandel, complemented by vanilla undertones and a spicy finish.
Gingersnaps: Château Gaudrelle Sparkling Vouvray Brut NV
With crisp, tingling bubbles, a round texture, and subtle toasty ginger spice notes, this sparkling Chenin Blanc fits the bill for lovers of the spicy, warming notes found in homemade Gingersnaps.
Pecan Sandies: Besserat de Bellefon Champagne Brut 2006
As Champagne ages, it takes on delicate nutty and toasty flavors, as well as softened bubbles. If you love rich, buttery shortbread laced with nutty pecans, vintage Champagne is calling your name.
Fudge Crinkles: Porcupine Ridge Merlot
This South African Merlot shines with distinct chocolatey and mocha notes on the finish. The chocolate notes aren’t sugary sweet or overpowering; rather, they add another dimension of complexity to this juicy, rich wine. Now you can have your chocolate and drink it, too.
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