A Sommelier Told Me His 8 Favorite Wines to Gift for the Holidays, Starting at $13

The holidays are rapidly approaching, which means my calendar is filled with seasonal parties and get-togethers. Since I’m planning some and attending others, I needed a few sparkling, white, and red wine recommendations to serve and gift my fellow hosts. 

To help make more informed purchases, I enlisted master sommelier and Dean of Wine Studies at the Institute of Culinary Education’s New York City campus Scott Carney to find just the right bottles. Browse his favorite proseccos, pinot noirs, chardonnays, and more starting at just $13 at Total Wine. 

Best Giftable Wine Bottles 

• Bisol Jeio Valdobbiadene Superiore Brut Prosecco, $18 
• 2023 Dr. Konstantin Frank Dry Riesling, $13 
• Alphonse Mellot La Moussiere Sancerre, $30
• Francois Carillon Bourgogne Blanc, $50 
• 2022 Rosso di Montalcino, $26 
• Lopez de Heredia Cubillo Crianza, $30 
• Cristom’s Mt. Jefferson Cuvee Pinot Noir, $36 
• Ridge Lytton Springs Zinfandel, $50 

Bisol Jeio Valdobbiadene Superiore Brut Prosecco

If you’re planning to gift a bottle of bubbly, this brut prosecco is an excellent and reasonably priced choice that’s “a pleasure to drink,” according to Carney. “ He called it “simply delicious” and at $18, it over-delivers. Carney shared that it “ doesn’t demand your attention,” but instead says, “‘Sip me and talk to your friends and family.’” 

2023 Dr. Konstantin Frank Dry Riesling

Carney calls this riesling an “excellent example of how far New York state has come” in its wine-making.The bottle is priced at an affordable $13, which is quite reasonable considering the quality flavor it delivers in every sip, according to Carney.

Alphonse Mellot La Moussiere Sancerre

Alphonse Mellot is one of the top producers of Sancerre, and this La Moussiere is the perfect introduction to his wines. This bottle features a “generous, elegant, and balanced wine with a bracing bit of acidity that lifts the palate,” Carney explained.

Francois Carillon Bourgogne Blanc

If you’re willing to splurge a little, this $50 chardonnay is a must-buy. Carney’s strategy for the typically pricey category of Burgundy wine? “Find a super-talented winemaker and enjoy his or her most humble offering.” He shared that they give as much attention to their “little wines” as they do to their “Grand crus.”  This Bourgogne Blanc is a “stylish, rich, dry white burgundy that punches above its weight,” according to Carney.

2022 Rosso di Montalcino

Carney calls this 2022 Rosso di Montalcino an “incredible value.” It’s structured but still smooth with red fruit and savory finishes. The Italian wine has a long-lasting smell and taste, plus, it hits at just the right price of $26. 

Lopez de Heredia Cubillo Crianza

The Lopez de Heredia Cubillo Crianza is one of Carney’s “eternal favorites” for a reason. It’s a “delightful aged red” from a label that has shown a “commitment to aging the wines in their cellar for considerable periods of time,” per Carney. This means that when the wine comes to market, “it is more complex and ready to drink and enjoy.” 

Cristom’s Mt. Jefferson Cuvée Pinot Noir

This mid-range Pinot Noir is the perfect under-$50 pick for your next party. It’s “ripe, balanced, and so satisfying to drink on its own,” according to Carney who added that it pairs nicely with duck or squab.  

Ridge Lytton Springs Zinfandel

While on the higher end of our price range, Carney said that this Zinfandel is “worth every cent.” It hails from Ridge Vineyards in California, which he describes as one of our country’s most “iconic wineries with a fantastic history.” 

Head over to Total Wine to shop these sommelier-approved sparkling, red, and white wines for the holiday season.