Staff Picks for the Holidays
Narrow down your selections from our annual gift guide with this advice straight from Astor Wines & Spirits staff.
Foolproof Gifts for Every Host
Chianti Colli Senesi “Il Garrulo”, Montenidoli – 2018 $25.96
In the sea of Chianti, the sub-$20 category stokes fear of straw-wrapped bottles destined to be table-top candle holders. Hopefully, this staff pick can dispel those notions and introduce you to a wine that might have been overlooked. Elisabetta Fagiuoli, has been dedicated to the soil of Montenidoli since she found it abandoned in 1965…“Il Garrulo” is a perfect wine for those seeking a food-friendly, crowd-pleasing option. Its fresh notes of sour cherry and herbaceous tomato leaf lead into a pleasant tannic grip. – Matthew Goodyear, Wines & Spirits Consultant
Toscana Rosso “Carmina Arvalia,” Trinci – 2015 $69.96
Tuscan wines can be rooted in old world tradition with elegance and restraint. They can also be powerful, weighty wines for the world stage. Podere Trinci’s Carmina Arvalia is definitely in the latter category. It’s made from a blend of international red grapes that were hand-harvested in the hot sun of Bolgheri, which is the seat of the Super Tuscan throne. Without a world-famous name on its label it’s under most consumers’ radars, which is a shame because it’s an excellent introduction to the style. – Teddy Daly, Wines & Spirits Consultant
Zuzu Calamansi Lime Sparkling Agave Cocktail $24.96
Have you ever taken a sip of something new and realized it was everything you’ve been looking for? For me it was the Zuzu Calamansi Lime sparkling cocktail. This delightful cocktail is made with 100% agave spirit (similar in flavor to blanco tequila), calamansi lime juice, agave syrup, sea salt, and sparkling water. With just 5 grams of sugar per bottle, it’s just sweet enough for balance and low ABV enough to drink more than one (you will want to). Think of it as a refined, idealized version of the tequila soda with a dried-out lime you’d been ordering to avoid cheap, too-sweet margarita mix. Chill, open, and rejoice! – Hannah Weiss, Wines & Spirits Consultant
Forthave Spirits Red Aperitivo $36.96
People who come into our store are surprised when they go to find a bottle of Campari and see the entire category of red bitter apertivo spirits out there. Well, if you are at all interested in branching out I’ll make it easy for you: this one is the best. It’s a revelation. It’s local, made in Brooklyn in a cramped, apothecary-esque micro-distillery lined with botanical jars and bubbling cauldrons (alongside a New York Amaro and a complex, unfiltered gin). Drier and ramping up the bitterness, spend a little time with it and you’ll begin to taste perfectly balanced citrus, wild roses, delicate chamomile. – Jon Miner, Wines & Spirits Consultant
Spirits for Entertaining
L.N. Mattei Cap Corse Rouge Aperitif $19.96
Unlike most wine based liqueurs/aperitifs, the Cap Corse is made from grape must and grape spirit, so all the sweetness is residual sugar from the grapes. Cinchona barks (quinquina), fresh cacao, and walnut skins lend bitterness, while local cédrat (citron) adds fresh citrus notes and ties it all together. This gives a depth and complexity to a relatively inexpensive bottle. I found this to be great with both gin and tequila, but it tends to be a bit too bitter with just tonic water. It does work wonders with soda water. – Josh Mizrahi, Sales Manager
Partida Creus MUZ Natural Vermut $26.96
In Europe vermouth is no mere cocktail ingredient, it’s a culture in and of itself. In Spain it even has its own special place in the day: la hora del vermut. Poured over ice with a slice of orange, it’s a deliciously simple entrée into the evening. The Italian duo at Partida Creus, based in Catalunya, puts a slight twist on the classic sweet red style. This is unfortified and unsulfured (store it in the fridge), which allows for the pure, natural base wine to shine. It’s bright and lightly fruity with a delicate sweetness and notes of orange peel, clove, rose petal, and herbs. You’ll be glad this comes in a liter-sized bottle. – Amy Miller, Wines & Spirits Consultant
Four Pillars Off Broadway Gin $39.96
10,321 miles separate Joe’s Pub from the distillery at 2A Lilydale Road, Healesville, Victoria, Australia, so “Off-Broadway” might be an understatement. Of course, a new gin from one of my favorite distillers is something to get excited about, odd as a New York exclusive from a bunch of Aussies might be. And to be clear, this is a very Australian gin. You will find the classics (juniper, coriander, cardamom), but the flavor profile here is dominated by native botanicals. Finger limes bring a zesty citrus, and you taste local mint, macadamia nut, lemon myrtle, and kumquat. The flavors give an herbal edge to a fruit-laden gin cobbler, and play very well with nuttiness and salinity in a martini where you swap vermouth for fino sherry. But the possibilities are endless. – Jon Miner, Wines & Spirits Consultant
Stocking Stuffers
Half-Bottle of Ch. Falfas, Côtes du Bourg – 2015 $17.96
If you taste this wine blind, would you guess that it falls under the ‘alternative’ category for Bordeaux grape farming and wine making? The answer is that you shouldn’t taste a difference when the wine is a well made example of the region. Veronique’s wines offer classic Bordeaux style. Dark fruit is supported by savory and smoked meat aromas, making an excellent match for sweaters, romps through pumpkin patches, or meals including richer pork dishes and fowl. And if you don’t drink this now, a few years of bottle age will only improve its flavors. – Bambi Ray, Sales Manager
Madre Espadin Y Cuishe Mezcal $19.96
Most of the mezcals you’ll see on our shelves are single-variety bottlings with the type of agave clearly indicated. Historically, however, most mezcals were blends, made with whatever agave plants farmers could find in the surrounding land. It wasn’t until 1995 when Ron Cooper started labeling his Del Maguey bottles that the single-variety trend took off. Madre Mezcal is a return to the way mezcal has been made for hundreds of years. Jose Garcia Morales and his family use 70% Espadin and 30% Cuixe, resulting in a smooth, soft sip with a gentle, earthly smokiness and notes of green pepper, black peppercorns, honey, and sage. If you’re looking to get acquainted with mezcal without dropping some serious pesos, this is an excellent choice. – Amy Miller, Wines & Spirits Consultant
Reyes y Cobardes Sparkling Canned Margarita 4pk $16.96
A couple of things that I will divulge: 1. I love a well made cocktail. 2. I am lazy about making them myself. Sometimes the effort involved in the preparation of a delicious adult beverage is just too much to execute, especially just for a single drink. That’s why I am such a fan of the RTD cocktail category. I recently tried this canned margarita and instantly fell in love. It’s got a definite Fresca-esque vibe, so I squeezed some citrus in it & bingo! That was all I had to do for a tart & refreshing drink. – Bambi Ray, Sales Manager
Barolo Chinato, Barale $41.96
Is there such a thing as love at first smell? I love all of Sergio Barale’s wines, but this Chinato made my knees weak. Although this is similar to amari and vermouth, Sergio takes things up a notch. His base wine is Nebbiolo from the Castelero vineyard. This Chinato is luscious and full-bodied yet bright with a tinge of bitterness. Herbal notes play off spices: cinnamon, cloves, dark chocolate, pith of blood orange, and licorice. Everything in balance, perfectly harmonious. This is the perfect after-dinner sip with a bite of dark chocolate. – Amy Miller, Wines & Spirits Consultant
The Top Shelf
Procera Blue Dot Gin $84.96
I’m glad that Procera Gin has made it here in The States. The brand was launched in 2019 with the goal of showcasing premium African ingredients. It is distilled in Nairobi, Kenya. It’s a remarkable blend of African botanicals and a native sugar cane distillate. Everything about this gin exudes gorgeousness: the enticing aromas, the lush mouthfeel, and the sweet and savory flavors. It really is meant to be enjoyed with the most simple preparations. Neat, a cube of ice, a super dry martini, or with just a splash of tonic. It comes with a little pouch of botanical-laced African sea salt. A pinch of the salt can go into your beverage or onto the food that accompanies your gin. Either way, the botanical flavors will be heightened. – Chung Park, Wines & Spirits Consultant
Delord 25 Yr. Armagnac $79.96
This spirit is rich and full-bodied with an amazing long finish supported by smooth tannins. The oak aging provides roundness and smoothness to this brandy. Because of these characteristics, I think this Armagnac could appeal to bourbon drinkers: while you can notice that this liquor is grape and wine based, the smoothness is somehow similar. On the nose, you can find honey and oranges. On the palate, you can taste fig, chocolate, and banana. Try it and decide for yourself! – Andrea Fraccari, Wines & Spirits Consultant
High Wire Jimmy Red Straight Bourbon $104.96
The list of recognized corn varieties is long enough to make your eyes glaze over, but almost all bourbon comes from a handful of commercial cultivars, usually basic yellow dent corn. Now, not every variety of rare heirloom corn is worth eating, let alone distilling, just because it has a good story. But many were known to bootleggers in Prohibition and beyond for making great moonshine. Among these, Jimmy Red (from “James Island”) fell from fame into obscurity. At one point just two cobs were left on the planet. They survived, and High Wire is taking part in replanting and resurrection. The corn’s vivid color doesn’t make it all the way to the whiskey. But it is viscous, sweet, and brimming with cinnamon, vanilla, and date fruit, while imparting the most remarkable nutty, peanut butter flavors I have ever tasted in a spirit. – Jon Miner, Wines & Spirits Consultant