A red and a white to uncork for the holidays

Our annual feast-a-thon is upon us, that sumptuous seasonal slice that dawns on Thanksgiving and waddles off into the sunset on New Year’s Day.

mkmbrown2There is no better way to usher in the holidays than with food-friendly wines. On my recommended list are a red and a white from Terlato Wines, the four-generation winemakers who have amassed a global portfolio of more than 70 brands in more than a dozen countries. Terlato provided wines for us to sample, including these two standouts from California in the $20-plus range.

Markham Merlot, born and raised in the Napa Valley, fills the glass with a jammy pop of dark ruby color scented with vanilla and dark chocolate, with lively notes of cherry. Its pillow-soft, laid-back tannins make it a great pout for entertaining small, intimate groups enjoying roasted veggies and sausages fragrant with herbs.

hanna-sauvignon-blanc-russian-river-valley-usa-10206617HANNA Sauvignon Blanc from the Russian River Valley is a match for crisp, fresh salads or a counterpoint to spicy dishes. It’s a bright yellow tinged with grass green, a zippy sip of pleasantly acid nectarine and peach with notes of hay and ginger.

Cheers to the holidays!