For Tiny Tim it was the fatted goose.
For America’s Italians it could be the traditional Feast of the Seven Fishes on Christmas Eve.
For South Florida’s Cubans it might be lechon asado, or roast pig.
For the area’s Haitians, a likely entree might be roast goat.
For others it could be roast beef, pork loin, spiral-cut ham, roast lamb, roast salmon or even Deep South fried chicken.
In any case, it’s the most eagerly anticipated meal of the year.
In wine, it’s time to bring out the best. The ones you’ve been saving for this occasion. The classic food/wine pairings based on two of America’s favorites — chardonnay and cabernet sauvignon.
Good chardonnays have the richness, the heft to stand up to special occasions, special meals, seafood, roast chicken or Tiny Tim’s goose. Good cabernet sauvignons have the regal opulence to complement the finest cuisine, the big red-meat dishes.
The wines come from many countries. In many styles. At many prices.
Let’s get right to the wines.
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HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
— 2013 Castello di Amorosa Chardonnay, Bien Nacido Vineyard, Napa Valley, Calif.: lush and ripe and creamy, with aromas and flavors of tropical fruit, peaches and melons, long finish; $38.
— 2012 Stags’ Leap Wine Cellars “The Leap” Cabernet Sauvignon, Estate Grown, Napa Valley: big and bold, with aromas and flavors of black cherries, black pepper and black coffee, age-worthy; $85.
— 2013 Gary Farrell Vineyards & Winery Chardonnay, Russian River Valley, Calif.: opulent and rich, with aromas and flavors of ripe pears and caramel and a mineral-tinged finish; $35.
RECOMMENDED
— 2013 La Crema Chardonay, Sonoma Coast, Calif.: bright and racy and crisp, with aromas and flavors of lemons and apples; $23.
— 2013 Noble Vines 446 Chardonnay, Monterey, Calif.: creamy and rich, with aromas and flavors of vanilla and apricot; $13.
— 2012 Arrowood Cabernet Sauvignon, Sonoma County: floral aromas, flavors of black cherries and spice, ripe tannins, mellow; $35.
— 2014 Casillero del Diablo Chardonnay, Limari, Chile: lush and creamy, with aromas and flavors of ripe apricots and lemons, fruity finish; $12
— 2010 Cherubino Cabernet Sauvignon, Margaret River, Western Australia: soft and sweet, with floral aromas and spicy black plum flavors; $54.
— 2014 Tomero Cabernet Sauvignon, Finca Los Alamos, Mendoza, Argentina: deep red hue, aromas and flavors of black cherry, anise and chocolate, potent tannins, long finish; $17.
— 2013 Robert Mondavi Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley: aromas and flavors of black raspberries and black plums, smooth and silky, soft tannins, long, fruity finish; $28.
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(Fred Tasker has retired from the Miami Herald but is still writing about wine. He can be reached at fredtaskerwine@gmail.com.)
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