As the height of holiday season approaches, beverage professionals like you are in search of that perfect pour to delight your patrons. It’s the time of year when the right selection can transform an ordinary gathering into an extraordinary celebration.
At Freedom Beverage, we understand the importance of curating an exceptional beverage lineup that mirrors the spirit of the season. Join us in exploring our carefully chosen wines and craft brews, each designed to elevate your holiday offerings with elegance and distinction. This December, let’s toast to the art of beverage curation that sets your establishment apart.
Wines
Burgundy
Burgundy stands as one of the paramount wine regions globally, celebrated for its unrivaled terroir that imparts unique and nuanced flavors to its wines. Renowned for its exquisite Pinot Noir and Chardonnay varietals, Burgundy’s winemaking tradition is deeply rooted in the region’s rich history and meticulous craftsmanship. The region’s wines effortlessly complement a diverse array of cuisines, making Burgundy a perennial favorite for those seeking to elevate their wine selections with unparalleled elegance and sophistication.
Domaine Ninot
The Ninot family have been winemakers in Rully since the fourteenth century. Now, siblings Erell and Flaien maintain a great respect for the vineyards which is translated into their wines. Their Chaponniere exhibits elegant aromas that lead to a cherry-dominated palate. Light oak adds structure to the bright red fruit flavors. Their 1er Cru Marissou is intensely perfumed with soft tannins and a smooth, red-fruit-dominated texture. From a 3.5-acre premier-cru vineyard, it is ripe while light in character.
Bordeaux
Bordeaux, renowned as a paragon of excellence in the world of wine, stands out as one of the finest and most coveted wine regions of restaurants and wine shops alike. With a storied history dating back centuries, Bordeaux’s commitment to blending traditional winemaking techniques with innovative approaches has yielded an extraordinary array of red and white wines. Customers are drawn to Bordeaux for its iconic châteaux, diverse terroirs, and a spectrum of appellations, making it a cornerstone in curating exceptional wine lists.
Château du Taillan Cru Bourgeois Exceptionnel (Wine Enthusiast 93)
Château du Taillan has been a family-owned estate since 1896. Five sisters now hold the reins of the Château, located in an idyllic setting surrounded by centennial trees with the vineyards cradled on a clay-limestone terroir. Its wine is charming, strong and full of its owners’ history. 2018 is the first Cru Bourgeois Exceptionnel of the Château du Taillan. With a lovely aromatic complexity of black fruits, touches of liquorice and round tannins this wine is an incredible value that will leave an impression.
Château Gaillot-Fournier
Château Gaillot Fournier is a small familial property in the town of Tizac de Curton–adjacent to the Saint-Émilion plateau. This classically styled Bordeaux is meant as a go-to. A generous blend of Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon and Malbec bring that Bordeaux complexity and depth of flavor to your glass. The result is a mouthwatering delicious Bordeaux that you don’t have to wait decades to drink.
Château Puy-Galland
Located in the rolling, green part of Bordeaux’s Right Bank, the Francs-Côtes de Bordeaux shares the same warm climate and clay-limestone soils similar to the best Right Bank vineyards. Bernard Labatut is the third generation to work the vines at Château Puy Galland. A classy Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon blend Bordeaux with black cherry and cocoa notes. Fleshy and round on the palate. The judicious use of oak maintains a balance between fruit and tannin. Ready to drink tonight!
Château Vieux-Georget
Château Vieux Georget is a small family estate. Their wines reflect the heart of what makes Bordeaux so special. Since 1984 the Domaine has been using organic farming practices. The wine has an appealing cherry red color. The nose is fruity and bright with red fruit and earthy aromas. On the palate it is juicy and delights with its supple tannins and long finish. It pairs well with red meats, mushrooms, and hard cheeses.
Pauillac Générique
2019 is the first vintage the Château Pichon Baron team created for this fruity, supple, and well-balanced wine. The grapes making up the blend of this cuvée come from young vines in the Château Pichon Baron and Château Tour Pibran vineyards. The resulting wine is deliciously fruity, structured, and exciting!
Champagne
Nestled in the picturesque vineyards of northeastern France, the Champagne region has become synonymous with celebratory indulgence and sophistication. Its unique sparkling wines showcase an unparalleled marriage of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier grapes. Renowned for their exquisite finesse, lively bubbles, and diverse flavor profiles ranging from crisp citrus to toasty brioche, Champagne wines effortlessly add a touch of luxury to any occasion.
Champagne Dosnon Récolte Rosé Brut
A model for the future of small, artisanal Champagne houses, Dosnon is the brainchild of Davy Dosnon who grew up in this beautiful region of rolling hills, wheat fields, and champagne vines. Récolte Rosé starts as a Blanc de Noirs of Pinot Noir with the addition of Pinot Meunier giving it its salmon-pink hue. Pure, focused, intensely mineral but with a clear, spicy, red-fruit and orange peel lift to the flavors–this wine bears all the hallmarks of the Donson style. The Récolte Rosé will enchant your customers with the magic of bubbles and the timeless allure of celebratory moments.
Châteauneuf-du-Pape
Châteauneuf-du-Pape, a crown jewel in the Rhône Valley, produces wines of remarkable depth and character. Predominantly crafted from Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvèdre, Châteauneuf-du-Pape wines boast bold and complex flavors, with notes of dark fruits, herbs, and spices. The region’s commitment to traditional winemaking methods and strict appellation standards result in wines that exude both power and elegance, making them an irresistible addition to curated wine lists.
Domaine Roger Sabon
Domaine Roger Sabon was founded in 1952 and is currently run by Roger’s sons Denis and Gilbert. Black raspberries and flowers gently intertwine on the nose of the 2020 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Prestige. Full-bodied and silky, it’s dense and rich yet finishes fresh, adding seemingly contradictory hints of dark chocolate. (96 points Wine Advocate). Le Secret des Sabon began as an experimental cuvée which has evolved to be one of the top wines of Châteauneuf-du-Pape. The 2020 offers up stunning aromas of roses, raspberries, black cherries, pine sap and garrigue. Silky and elegant, it finishes long and mouthwatering. (97 points Wine Advocate).
Domaine de la Janasse
Over the last quarter-century, Domaine de la Janasse has become one of the most highly-regarded estates in Châteauneuf-du-Pape. Led by siblings Christophe and Isabelle Sabon, the estate combines the best of both traditional and modern techniques to craft a collection of truly riveting wines. This 2020 vintage is no exception with the Chaupin scoring 99 points Jeb Dunnuck.
The Best of the Rest of France
France, a cradle of viticultural artistry, offers an unparalleled tapestry of wine regions and varietals. French wines take customers on a journey through the vineyards of a country that continues to set the standard for vinicultural excellence. Here are a few more of our French favorites!
Domaine Vacheron
These is not a more luxurious Sancerre in our book than Vacheron. Having been out of stock since October of 2021, we were thrilled to be given a large allocation of these wines for the end of this year, so we’re celebrating with them. These are phenomenally made wines and only allocated and shipped once per year, so get them while you can. And don’t sleep on the small amount of rose we have left – it’s ageable, rich, bright and delicious and is a perfect addition to any holiday celebration.
Jean–François Mérieau
Yes, Sancerre is the word everyone is saying, but simple wines from the same region that aren’t labeled “Sancerre” can be a great way to enjoy the flavors of the grapes and style without the price tag. Merieau’s wines are just that – and with the introduction of the “Valala” Sauvignon Blanc, you know you’ve stumbled onto something special. If you supported “Hexagonales” for years, this is the same wine, renamed. Get it while you can – it’s the perfect winter white for parties, get togethers, and any event where you don’t want to break the budget but want to be sure to impress.
La Rétro
This wine is the result of a collaboration between Eric Solomon of European Cellars and Jean Marc Lafage of St. Roch and Lafage wines. With that, you’ll know it’s going to be exceptional. Add in the fact that the French bistro label is on a liter sized bottle and you can be certain you’re getting significant bang for your buck. Literally every one should have this by the glass – not only is it exceptional for your bottom line, but it tastes amazing too and way over-delivers for the price.
Italy
From the meticulously tended vineyards in Piedmont’s Langhe to the historic estates of Chianti Classico, Italy’s diverse wine culture reflects a deep respect for terroir and a commitment to expressing the unique characteristics of each grape variety.The allure of Italian wines lies in their ability to transport patrons to the sun-soaked vineyards of the Mediterranean, offering an unforgettable journey through the heart and soul of this revered wine-producing nation.
Perlage
It’s bubbly time, and it doesn’t all have to be Champagne! Perlage proseccos are stunning, and each one is celebratory, even if you want to just pop a bottle on Tuesday night to celebrate making it through the day. These wines are well made and not overly sweet, and they make an exceptional aperitif and go superbly with a cheese plate.
Rinomata
No holiday meal is complete without a touch of Italy. For over 100 years, the Tombacco winery has been crafting beautiful wines made from their own grapes. This deep red wine is juicy, velvety and will warm you right up on a cold winter’s night. No wimpy wine, this is the perfect match to heartier meat dishes next to a crackling fire, or, you know, just with a few cookies left out for Santa…either way, the eye catching label makes this a standout for retail shelves, and it’s a great price for a bottle list that needs a hearty red.
Greece and Israel
Along the Mediterranean Sea, Greece and Israel offer some of our favorite wines in our portfolio. For wine buyers seeking distinctive additions, these wines provide a compelling narrative of history, terroir, and contemporary winemaking mastery that promises to enthrall and delight connoisseurs.
Artemis Karamolegos Aidani Santorini
Artemis Karamolegos Winery is a continuation of the Artemis’s family tradition that started almost a century ago with the cultivation of local produce in Santorini. The vineyard is the heartbeat of the winery. This Aidani is full of jasmine flowers and a fruity nose with ripe stone fruit notes, leechee, kumquat, citrus and minerality. Gentle, intensely aromatic mouth, vibrant acidity, elegant finish.
Yarden Wines
Celebrate the flavors and terroirs of Israel with this fantastic line of wines. Made from carefully selected greats from vineyards in all of the best sites, these wines are some of the best to come out of the country. Not only are they great tasting, but they’re certified kosher, too. A bottle along with your holiday meal will have everyone smiling, and it makes Hanukkah just a little more special, too.
The Americas: California and Chile
Embark on a vinous voyage through North and South America, where diverse landscapes yield a captivating array of wines. From the bold Cabernet Sauvignons of Napa Valley to the elegant Pinot Noirs of Sonoma County, Californian wines showcase a dynamic range of flavors. Meanwhile, in South America, Chile produces robust Malbecs and Carmenères, reflecting the unique influences of the Andes Mountains and Pacific Ocean. This month we’ve chosen a few of our favorites that truly reflect wines from the Americas.
Adobe Road Winery
On your marks, get set, let’s celebrate! Following the legendary success of his professional race team, The Racers Group (TRG), Kevin Buckler and his wife Debra opened Adobe Road Winery in the heart of Sonoma County in 2002. “We work hard to make sure each bottle of Adobe Road wine showcases the best attributes of each individual vineyard, within each appellation we source from,” says Kevin. “We choose the best parts of Sonoma and Napa Valley for our elite Cabernet Sauvignons, Dry Creek for our hedonistically rich Syrahs and Zinfandels, the Russian River as well as the Petaluma Gap for our ethereal Pinot Noirs and lavishly flavored yet sleek Chardonnays.”
Granito País
You know European Cellars for old world style wines with finesse and precision. But that doesn’t mean proprietor Eric Solomon isn’t always looking for something special to add to his book. You might hate Pais, and rightly so, since most of them are watered down versions of a grape that needs love to make excellent wines. This one will surprise you, with a rich and textured palate and a juicy and minerally finish. For the price, an exceptional wine that would make a special by the glass option, or an interesting bottle for a night out.
Gregory James Wines
Gregory James Wines was founded on a shared passion for farming and great wines with a true sense of place. The same philosophy is true today for the small team at Gregory James Wines who continues to make the best wines from each vineyard site with little intervention during winemaking. The Bacigalupi Vineyards Pinot Noir is a fresh aromatic wine with notes of dark fruit, ripe berries, crushed violet, wild herbs, and lavender. The Hawk Hill Chardonnay exhibits an apple and pear blossom nose with hints of lemon zest. The slight butter character on the nose and palate complements and balances the brightness of the fruit character. These wines are a great addition to celebratory meals.
Beer
From the hop-forward craft brews of the Pacific Northwest to the rich, barrel-aged stouts of the Midwest, American breweries offer a diverse and flavorful selection that perfectly complements the season’s spirit. The creativity and fearlessness of American brewers result in unique concoctions.
Epic Brewing
Epic beers pair with not only food, but with atmospheres. Grab a Big Bad Baptist Barrel-Aged Imperial Stout to relax by the fire, or the Bio Transformer IPA for a night in with family and friends. Epic Brewing, located in Utah, has been creating these delicious craft beers since 2009 for casual beer drinkers and adventurous connoisseurs alike!
Moody Tongue
It’s very rare to present a brewery that makes beers that are literally intended to be an extension of the dinner plate. Moody Tongue does just that, creating subtly flavored and interesting beers that enhance various foods. While the flavors might sound intense – black truffle! Banana! Juiced lychee! – they are integrated into the beer so perfectly that they elevate any cuisine, especially seafood oriented dishes. If you haven’t tried a Moody Tongue beer, now is the time to add some excitement to your menu.
