Wine is the perfect gift or accompaniment to any special occasion and is almost always welcome. The sheer variety of wines, though, also means it can be stressful to choose the “right” one for an unfamiliar scenario. Aside from bubbly at a New Year’s Eve party, some holiday wines aren’t so obvious. What’s the proper wine for Thanksgiving? For Easter?
Luckily, these aren’t life-or-death decisions. Plus, if you have a favorite wine, it’s absolutely okay to serve it whenever you like! Taking the extra step and pairing wines with events, parties, and times of year, though, is a wonderful way to expand your palate and feel connected to the season and those around you.
So, in the spirit of wine hobbyists everywhere, we’ve curated a list of events, occasions, and holidays alongside the wide array of Chiswell wines that complement them. If any of these ideas stand out to you, consider picking up bottles in advance before they’re gone. Better yet, join Crown Club to take advantage of monthly discounts and quarterly wine trios, ensuring you always have just the right bottle of Chiswell’s Virginia wine on hand!
Holiday Wines
Holidays are about togetherness and community, whether it’s a household, a family, or a whole party of folks sitting down together. The wine you serve helps set the tone for a gathering, so putting some thought into your choice of holiday wines is a fun way to make things a little more special for those you love the most.
Here are our ideas for some of the most popular holidays:
Thanksgiving
Everyone’s looking forward to pie! Have a dessert wine on hand, like our 2021 Sweet Petit Manseng, to round out the meal.
Christmas
A savory winter roast deserves a hearty winter red. Consider a bottle of the 2021 Merlot.
Easter or Mother’s Day
Morning celebrations and brunches are excellent opportunities for mimosas. We recommend the Chiswell Sparkling Chardonnay.
Halloween
A dark, spooky, blood-red wine… preferably one that pairs well with chocolate, like the 2022 Chambourcin!
Valentine’s Day
The most romantic wine option will often simply be your partner’s favorite. For the adventurous, our 2021 Meritage is a nice complex wine to savor and discuss together.
Celebration Wines
Many celebrations in life warrant uncorking a bottle of wine. Birthdays, graduations, anniversaries, promotions, engagements…there are many predictable (and unpredictable) happy occasions that call for raising a glass. It’s nice to be prepared with the perfect accompaniment when the occasion arises. That way, when an announcement or accomplishment comes out of the blue, you’ll be ready to give it the proper toast.
A bottle of sparkling wine is never out of place when congratulating or appreciating someone. Chiswell’s Sparkling Rosé is always in fashion, with a lively color and fruity nose that add personality and cheer to an event.
Alternatively, have a chilled, sippable white wine on hand, like a Chiswell Chardonnay. Light and easy to store, white wines are ideal for sharing at a smaller or more intimate catch-up about the good news. Seasoned chardonnay sippers may prefer the more rounded, early profile of our oaked 2020 Chardonnay, while casual wine enthusiasts might opt for our lighter 2021 varietal.
Outdoor and Daytime Gatherings
Sharing a wine outside with friends can be a wonderful bonding treat, even at a barbeque or tailgate alongside burgers and chips!
Weather and setting can change a lot about what wines to enjoy. For grilling-focused events, a full-bodied red wine, such as Chiswell’s Cabernet Sauvignon, is a welcome companion to satisfying red meats. If you’re grilling on a particularly hot summer day, though, it might be more refreshing to make a cool, delicious sangria. Similarly, white wines are classics at garden parties and picnics, like Chiswell’s Sauvignon Blanc, as long as it’s warm and sunny.
Formal Occasions
Sometimes, we need to impress people. Whether it’s a gift for a superior at work, something to bring to dinner with the in-laws, or a large event, it’s good to plan ahead. We want to get the “correct” wine to make a good impression, even if we don’t know someone’s personal tastes; one easy strategy to avoid decision paralysis is to look at a wine’s awards.
Many Chiswell wines are award-winning, including our multi-award-winning 2021 Meritage and 2021 Chardonnay, with silver medals in the 2024 Governor’s Cup and Monticello Cup. Quality is, of course, subjective, and even the most practiced sommeliers can disagree on matters of taste. Trusting an expert is still a good guide to a wine’s reputation and can take away some of the gamble in picking up unfamiliar wines.
Casual Get-Togethers
Often it’s those day-to-day moments that feel the most special. Board game nights, potluck dinners, or just chatting with friends are all meaningful, memorable occasions worthy of breaking out “holiday wines.” Sharing a drink with friends and loved ones is a wonderful way to encourage intimate conversation and connection.
When thinking about good wines to have on hand for a casual get-together, it can be helpful to choose easy crowd-pleasers. Cabernet sauvignon and chardonnay are the most popular wines in the country, and Chiswell has excellent vintages of both. Wine for chatting should be rich and pleasant to sip on its own, which means Chiswell’s 2021 Merlot is also an easy recommendation.
That said, good friends are there for you, not just to be impressed. If you have a wine you’re personally passionate about, they’ll be excited to try it with you!
Host Your Special Occasion at Chiswell
Even more fun than bringing wine to an event is bringing an event to the wine! Chiswell Farm & Winery is a delightful place to celebrate any occasion and is also open on many holidays. Look back on your special moments with fond memories of Blue Ridge views at a beautiful and historic estate.
For group gatherings, a private reserve tasting is a fun and intimate way to learn about wine and enjoy everything Chiswell has to offer. We also host seasonal events throughout the year, from live music to arts and crafts. And we may be biased, but who can imagine a more charming place to get married? No matter the occasion, we always enjoy helping you celebrate it in some small way.
