Christmas ham. It’s as traditional as any meal comes. I will be the first to admit that ham is not my favorite meal. However, there are times I crave it in a big way, and with anything I crave I think about the wine that will compliment it the best, and yes, I make a Christmas ham alongside my soon to be famous prime rib.
That being said, for most of you the wine is the last thing on your list albeit an important part of that list. You might be one of those lucky ones who have a generous supply of wine in your cellar that you can peruse the day before. Good for you, but you are few and far between. Yes, I have a lot of wine at my house, but the majority I dedicate to wine reviews and not for leisurely pleasures. Believe it or not, I would actually feel guilty if I popped a sample bottle for dinner without analyzing it and taking notes in my Moleskine (I know that sounds pathetic but it’s true). So what kind of wine should you have on your list to shop for a couple of days if not the day before Christmas dinner that will include ham?
The top two wines on my list for ham are Pinot Noir and Syrah. Both because they have a lower tannin level (unless they give it a big dose of oak). Pinot Noir, because it is lighter in style with good acidity which helps it pair nicely with food including ham. Syrah, because it has a smokey element and some bacon fat. Get it? Bacon fat, smoke. Sounds a lot like a ham if you ask me. Both work well, and I guess it just depends on what you are in the mood for. Here are a couple of suggestions in both categories.
Pinot Noir…
2012 Montinore Estate Pinot Noir (Willamette Valley, Oregon)… $18.
Aromas of black cherries, and black licorice. Rich fruit on the palate with a good acid backbone and a dose of earth. There is a touch of spice that comes through on the mid-palate with black licorice and dark cherries lingering on the bark (as in wood) driven finish. For the money, this is a nice value play and would not bust the budget for your Christmas dinner. (B+)
2011 Ventisquero “Queulat” Single Vineyard Pinot Noir (Casablanca Valley, Chile)… $15.
This is another Pinot that is friendly to your budget and a go-to Pinot for me. Aromas of black tea, strawberries, veggies and minerals. Nice structure with notes of black cherries and black tea that flows nicely across the palate with a little spice and acid action on the finish. This is a lighter style Pinot that thins out a little on the mid-palate and finish, but for fifteen bucks it’s an excellent value.
2011 Sonoma Hills Pinot Noir (Russian River Valley, California)… $22.
A little burnt match component on the nose with some oak coming through, along with aromas of black tea and ripe strawberries. Smooth and delicious on the palate showing some of that California sunshine coming through. Notes of dark cherries and strawberries with a white pepper hit on the finish. This is a little heavier on the palate with lower acidity, and would be a great Pinot for those who are trying one for the first time. The price is right, and it is just simply a delicious Pinot that is ready to drink.
2011 Casas Del Bosque Pinot Noir (Casablanca Valley, Chile)… $12.
Last but certainly not least is this little gem from Chile for the stupid price of only twelve bucks. You will not cheapen the table at all by serving this wine and at the same time, you will help the budget.
Classic Pinot aromas of burnt match, earth, cherries and an interesting pie crust element. Nice fat cherry and strawberry notes on the palate with a solid acid backbone, keeping the fruit in balance. The tannins are smooth but have some attitude as the wine finishes on the rustic side with notes of baked earth and white pepper lingering. This Pinot packs a punch for a prayer.
Now let’s move on to Syrah…
2010 Waters Winery Loess Vineyards Syrah (Walla Walla, WA)… $45.
This is pushing the envelope on the big side, but it has so much to offer. Aromas of blueberries, smoke and bacon fat along with hints of boysenberries, tar and tobacco. Smooth tannins back big notes of blueberries and blackberries with a bright edge. Restrained yet powerful with a meaty element that shows on the mid-palate and finish. Drinks well now but will age nicely. Does it get better than this with a spiral ham? if you feel like splurging a little, I think you will be happy.
2010 Milbrandt Vineyards “The Estates” Syrah (Clifton Hill Vineyard…Wahluke Slope, WA)… $20.
Hopefully you can get your hands on some of this because it is going fast (I have a good supply at my store). Aromas of blueberries and sweet currants with a minty black licorice edge. Blueberries, tobacco and bacon fat come through on the palate. intense without going fruit-bomb on you. Soft tannins lead into a finish of tobacco and currants with a kiss of menthol. There is a dangerous side to this Syrah that is never allowed to rear its ugly head (if that makes any sense).
2012 oak Grove Shiraz (California)… $8.
This wine made it in my “Top 40 Wines Under Twenty Bucks…2013” (sorry Alan, it’s my list not yours). I am a huge fan of the oak Grove label because the wines deliver a quality wine for next to nothing. if you want to entertain a bunch of friends, and you are serving ham up for Christmas, this wine will deliver.
Aromas of brambleberries and hits of vanilla with boysenberries notes in the back-round. Full boysenberry and plum notes up front with an edge of vanilla and brightness. A core of blueberries seems to be there start to finish with a little black tea on the backside. This is a bad ass wine for eight bucks and with ham…A no-brainer.
There you have it boys and girls. The main thing to remember in all of this is that it is my responsibility to give you direction. it is your responsibility to buy something you will enjoy. Just remember, wine is grape juice with alcohol…Nothing mysterious, just delicious.
Cheers! Stan The Wine Man
