Through the Grapevine: Jon Wine Recommends Pours for the Holidays

Jon Wine is a level 3 sommelier who oversees the wine program at Johan’s Joe Swedish Coffee House & Café in West Palm Beach. He’s also the founder of The Tasting Room, a tasting lounge that’s also located in West Palm.

HANNUKAH

For Serving: 2016 Arietta
Type: Red
Varietal: Merlot
Origin: Hudson Vineyards, Merlot, Carneros, Napa Valley
Cost: $90
What I like about the wine: This is a monster in a silk suit! Full-bodied with great structure; gritty. This single vineyard wine shows beautiful notes of blue and black fruit, cocoa powder, clove, vanilla and tobacco. 

For Serving: 2017 Domaine Du Castel Grand Vin (Kosher)
Type: Red
Varietal: Blend
Origin: Judean Hills, Israel
Cost: $89
What I like about the wine: Bold, and complex Bordeaux style blend with great balance between acidity & tannins.
Pairing recommendation: Slow-roasted brisket with carrots and onions, roasted Brussels sprouts with walnuts 

For a Gift: 2018 L’Ecole #41
Type: Red
Varietal: Merlot
Origin: Walla Walla Valley, Columbia Valley, Washington
Cost: $43
What I like about the wine: This is a beautiful Merlot from one of the pioneers of Washington winemaking. It shows red plum, cherries and currant, bitter chocolate, espresso and cedar with silky tannins. 

To Toast: 2014 Golan Heights Winery “Yarden” (Kosher)
Type: Brut Rosé
Varietal: Blend
Origin: Galilee, Israel
Cost: $35
What I like about the wine: Medium bodied, complex and well-structured with delicate acidity. The palate is expressive showing notes of grapefruit, raspberry, strawberry and peach. 

CHRISTMAS

For Serving: 2017 Domaine des Tourettes
Type: Red
Origin: Rhone, France
Cost: $99
What I like about the wine: Powerful, yet elegant! Intense Syrah showing blackberries, leather, spices, wet forest floor and tar. Mouthfeel is deliciously dense, almost chunky.
Pairing recommendation: Pepper-crusted prime rib, roasted sweet potatoes with paprika 

For a Gift: 2016 Lewis Cellars Ethan’s Syrah
Type: Red
Varietal: Syrah
Origin: Napa Valley, California
Cost: $49
What I like about the wine: This is a beautiful Syrah by the famous Lewis Cellars. Inky purple color, with a robust and luscious palate. Notes of blueberry jam, mocha, dark chocolate, dry meats and spice

To Toast: NV Roederer Estate
Type: Brut Rosé
Varietal: Blend
Origin: Anderson Valley, Mendocino, California
Cost: $32
What I like about the wine: A fantastic rosé sparkler from the makers of Cristal Champagne! Dry, crisp and refreshing with tiny delicate bubbles. The palate shows strawberries, ripe peach, and almonds.

NEW YEAR’S EVE

For Serving: 2017 Catena Zapata “Argentino”
Type: Red
Varietal: Malbec
Origin: Mendoza, Argentina
Cost: $95
What I like about the wine: This is by far my favorite Malbec. It is made from the best lots of the Catena family’s estate vineyards. Dense and concentrated palate with balanced yet firm tannins and notes of blackberries, black currant, cassis, black pepper, dark chocolate and sweet oak. The finish is long and persistent. Magnifique!
Pairing recommendation: Traditional duck confit, duck fat rice

For a Gift: 2016 Pulenta Estate Gran Malbec (X)
Type: Red
Varietal: Malbec
Origin: Mendoza, Argentina
Cost: $58
What I like about the wine: A smooth and round Malbec, with subtle tannins, and good acidity. Beautiful notes of plums, violets, cocoa, cherry, tobacco. Very well-balanced wine.

To Toast: NV Ca’ del Bosco, Franciacorta Cuvée Prestige
Type: White
Varietal: Cuvée
Origin: Lombardy, Italy
Cost: $36
What I like about the wine: Refined, elegant and full-bodied with nothing to envy. This Italian sparkler overdelivers with nice minerality, refreshing acidity and notes of fresh baked brioche, ripe apple and lemon cake.

This story is from our Winter 2021-2022 issue. Read more here.