Affordable wine selections ideal for holiday dinner parties, gifts

ASHEVILLE – Accentuate the flavors of your holiday spread and make the holiday merrier with the perfect wine to fit the occasion.

Phil Cerrito and Brian Kim opened Bebop Bottle Shop at 723 Haywood Road in West Asheville this fall offering a wide selection of bottles averaging $25 with various vintages and labels available.

Cerrito, a professional wine buyer, recommends light to medium-bodied wines for holiday food pairing to counter the heavier dishes.

“When I think about eating or big dinners, I think about a progression as you move forward throughout the day,” he said.

Here are six selections Cerrito recommends for the holiday table.:

• Domaine Rondeau Cerdon. A rosé sparkling wine from Eastern France that he described as a little sweet with a nice, bright acidity ― the acidity whets the appetite, and the sweetness creates balance. He said it’s a great party wine and an ideal starter. $25

• Le Cellier des Chênes Aprémont Tradition Blanc. The white wine from the mountainous region of Savoie in the French Alps is described as a light, airy wine that’s not overpowering and has acidity and minerality, making it nice to drink. The French and Swiss commonly pair the wine with fondue as it cuts and balances the richness of food. $19

• Domaine Saint-Cyr La Galoche Beaujolais. The quintessential holiday red wine from France with a medium body, fruitiness and a bit of tartness. Cerrito said it should be on every table this season. $23

• La Casaccia Poggeto Grignolino del Monferrato Casalese. From the Piedmont region of North Italian, he described it as a light red wine with more tannin and structure, comparable to chianti, and ideal for pairing with food. $20

• Vorspannhof Mayr Zweigelt. A red wine from Austria comparable to the Beaujolais, and described as juicy, fruity, playful – not too serious. Sold by the liter, he said it’s a wine meant to be shared with holiday guests. $24

• Domaine de la Terre Rouge Tête-à-Tête. An aged 2016 Californian red wine blend from the Sierra Foothills that Ceritto said the producers released only when it was ready. He said it’s one of the best values at Bebop, sold for $24.

Bebop Bottle Shop

Where: 723 Haywood Road, Asheville.

Hours: 2-8 p.m. Wednesday-Sunday, subject to change.

Info: For more, follow @bebopbottleshop on Instagram. Specialty and corporate orders may be requested.

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Tiana Kennell is the food and dining reporter for the Asheville Citizen Times, part of the USA Today Network. She is a graduate of Michigan State University and covered the arts, entertainment and hospitality in Louisiana for several years. Email her at tkennell@citizentimes.com or follow her on Instagram @PrincessOfPage.

This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: Affordable wine selections ideal for holiday dinner parties, gifts