Quinta Noval, Nacional 2003

Port icon, Quinta do Noval, produces all of its Vintage Ports from a tiny, six-acre single vineyard of pre-phylloxera vines grown on steep Douro Valley slopes. Aged in large oak and chestnut casks, only exceptional years see declaration, making them rare wines to get hold of. The late-harvested, limited-production 2003 boasts fragrant notes of violet and rose, along with a rich, plummy mouthfeel that features bitter chocolate, culminating in an elegant finish.  

Festive pairings:

• Christmas cake – mirrors the dense dark fruit and texture.

• Dark chocolate desserts – the rich and bitter-chocolate tones complement one another.

• Babka - the chocolate and spice complement each other to perfection

• Roasted or spicy nuts – highlight the wine’s velvety depth with textural contrast.

Dow 1963

Classic Port house, Dow, is admired for its structured styles, with this 1963 produced in what is regarded as one of the 20th century’s finest vintages. Made the old-fashioned way with gentle foot pressing and aged in seasoned oak casks for 18 months before bottling, it displays savory, nutty notes with concentrated red and dried fruit, and liquorice in a velvety mouthfeel with firm tannins. This standout Port finishes long and slightly dry with a surprising freshness.

Festive pairings:

• Christmas pudding – mirrors the wine’s dried and red fruit character.

• Aged hard cheeses – the savory, nutty profile of the wine mirrors the tangy creaminess of Manchego or Parmigiano.

• Nutty desserts – holiday sweets with almond or pecan tart echo the Port’s nutty profile.

Valdespino, Jerez Moscatel Toneles N.V.

Valdespino Moscatel Toneles is an exceptionally rare N.V. Moscatel from estate vineyards. Matured and refined through the solera system, the average age of the wine is 80 to 100 years, drawn from a single large old cask, from which a tiny amount is bottled each year. Ultra sweet, this ultra-aged wine is nearly opaque with spice, roasted coffee, dark chocolate, orange peel, balsamic, and incense characterizing its rich, deep profile.

Festive pairings:

• Dessert dried or candied fruits – orange peel, dates, and figs complement the wine’s spicy fruit.

• Rich chocolate desserts – dark, spicy sweets highlight the Moscatel’s roasted coffee and intense layers of chocolate.

• Blue or aged cheeses – the sharp, tangy acidity balances the wine’s intense sweetness.

Blandy’s, Madeira Malmsey 1991

A leading Madeira house that’s been producing this classic fortified wine since 1811, Blandy’s uses single-estate fruit from picturesque, old, terraced vineyards on the Portuguese island that gave the wine its name. For the 1991, grapes were hand harvested, fermented, and then underwent oxidative aging in old casks for decades, resulting in a rich, sweet, complex wine. Honeyed and nutty with marmalade, a brush of salinity, varnish, persimmon, and a touch of pepper, the mouth is precise and silky with vibrant acidity and a long, viscous finish.

Festive pairings:

• Citrus or stone fruit desserts – this Maderia is made for an orange or apricot tart.

• Blue or aged cheeses – the wine’s acidity and sweetness balance the cheese’s saltiness and intensity.

• Spiced or roasted nuts – these holiday snacks complement the peppery, layered Madeira flavors.

Toro Albala, Don Pedro Ximénez (PX) Convento Seleccion 1931

This 1931 “vinos olvidados” or “forgotten wine” (so called for its 80-plus years in barrel before bottling) shows an amber hue, hinting at its great age. This PX displays carob, spice, dry herb, cigar, iodine, and fine woody notes, balancing its intense sweetness in a dense, viscous, almost chewy palate that features a touch of salinity. A fine example of a sherry that combines the natural sweetness of dried grapes with the methods that make fortified wines so singularly and deliciously intense.

Festive pairings:

• Seasonal snacks – spiced nuts like almonds, walnuts, and pecans enhance the wine’s caramelized flavors.

• Caramel flan – the creamy textures and toffee flavors enhance those of the wine.

• Vanilla or coffee-flavor ice cream – cries out for a good drizzle of PX.