Ahhh the holidays. A favorite time of year, but also inevitably a stressful one: the to-do list grows longer, maybe you’re traveling, wrapping up projects (and presents for that matter!) - you get the picture. Let me ease some decision making fatigue, and help you stock your fridge with bottles perfect for Thanksgiving and beyond!
Here are some wines I’ve enjoyed as of late that fit the bill. On my Thanksgiving table, I’m looking for wines that are:
lighter in body (personal preference, so my recs lean “lean”)
preferably lower in alcohol (so if you pop them at noon, you can coast through the day)
food friendly (something to compliment the fare, but not overwhelm your palette, because there are lotsss of flavors on the table)
approachable (if put in front of a parent, your 22 year old cousin, or great aunt odds are they’ll hold out their glass for another pour)
under $40 (holidays are occasions to buy those nicer bottles, so some of the brands have pricier bottles if your budget allows. That said, a lot of wines I’m recommending fall under $25 so you can stock up)
made naturally (low/minimal intervention from vine to glass, no chemicals sprayed, minimal sulphur, organically/biodynamically farmed)
UNE TRANCHE NOUVELLE: Gamay from France (think Pinot Noir’s younger cousin) but this one drinks more mature - like awww little cuz has grown up!!!!
BROC CELLARS NOUVEAU: Field Blend from California (Valdiguié is the major player here which is a sassy little red grape but its a coferment of 30 grapes) this is a juicy, freshly bottled ode to the Beaujolais Nouveau style, only done in sunny CA.
GURTHIE FAMILY WINES PUFFERFISH: Zinfandel Blend from California (do NOT be afraid of Zin - it’s a powerhouse grape that a lot of California winemakers are making into stunning wines…and not the sweet AF “blush Zin rosés” that were once popular). Great mix of bright bursting fruit and herbs.
ALTRE VIE DOLCETTO: Dolcetto from Italy. Ok, I am biased here because I sell this wine, but it is one of my favorites in the book. Dolcetto roughly translates to “little sweet one” and this is anything but sweet - it’s elegant in a not-trying-to-hard kind of way, smooth, and really over performs ..also buy HERE
GURTHIE FAMILY WINES HEIRLOOM GRENACHE: Grenache from CA (made in a style known as carbonic maceration - where the grapes stay in whole bunches so the fermentation begins in the actual grape) has amazing texture, zestiness, and is perfect daytime red.
FORLORN HOPE QUEEN OF THE SIERRA RED: Zinfandel, Barbera, Tempranillo, Trousseau Noir, and Mondeuse Blend from California (all the grapes are grown at high elevation - hello Sierra Foothills) so they’ve been through it, but naturally makes them fit for a Queen. Medium bodied and luxx.
LORENZA OLD VINE CARIGNAN: Carignan from California - the second red wine from an incredible mother-daughter duo (like seriously I love my family to death, but wouldn’t mind being adopted!) is light in body, has notes of Aussie licorice, fresh cranberry and is perfect with a chill.
ULTRAVIOLET SPARKLING ROSE: Pinot Noir from California by a fantastic winemaker, Samantha Sheehan, this bubbly is the ideal crisp and crushable sparkler. Good on its own on top off a cocktail with this!
And because I felt like it, here’s a short list of winemakers and brands you can copy and save to your phone for future reference when you’re at your local wine shop!
**the nip slip**
My little postscript this week is some discount codes you can use while getting your holiday shopping on! Full disclosure some of these I make a tiny commission on; however, hand over my midwestern heart, I wouldn’t recommend things I’m not fully obsessed with, and each and every brand I adore.
Christy Dawn: 15NATALIE on regular priced items (15% off) and 5NATALIE for an additional 5% on all sale items. I grab for these dresses and blouses every week!
OSEA Malibu: NATTY10 for 10% off my favorite body oil - it truly is liquid gold. Also love their mini set which is perfect for traveling
Bella Dahl: NATALIE10OFF for everyday basics - their button downs are so comfy!
Sprezz Glassware: NATALIE10 for 10% off amazing glassware
To Be Magnetic: NATALIE15 for %15 off your membership to my favorite manifestation hub - backed by science, I’ve been doing this consistently for the last 2 years and have very much up-leveled, and helped during rock bottom periods too.
CHEERS xx Nat
P.P.S. please disregard any spelling and grammar errors. love y’all. mean it!