December 19, 2017

Best wine buys to help parents juggle the holidays

No doubt there are strains on the wallet this time of year, so we gave our wine experts $60 and told them to go shopping

By Jim Nolan
PhillyVoice Contributor

Here come the holidays, the time of year when you have absolutely zero time and about 400,000 things to do. Sometimes it feels like that doubles when you have kids. Here are three wines that should do the trick, and make the holidays somewhat manageable.

What to drink when you feel like your kids are overtired and they may be possessed by a demon:

Jim Nolan /for PhillyVoice
2016 Poggio Anima “Belial” Sangiovese

2016 Poggio Anima “Belial” Sangiovese, Tuscany $11.99

Named after one of the Four Crown Princes of Hell in Hebrew texts, Belial goes down super smooth, with bright, toned cherries. This wine can take the sting out of chasing after one of your own crown princes or princesses during trips to the mall to see Santa Claus or to buy your spouse that last-minute present.

What to drink when you’re putting the Barbie Camper together and some of the pieces are missing or broken:

Jim Nolan /for PhillyVoice
NV- The Juice Asylum “Il Terzo Grado”

NV – The Juice Asylum “Il Terzo Grado” Vino Rosso $19.79

You're trying to play Santa – maybe putting the Barber Camper together – and nothing is fitting, things are breaking, and it's enough to put you in a mental asylum. This wine is aptly named because of its crazy, whole-cluster blend of Sangiovese and Merlot from the Montepulciano part of Tuscany. It's a wild, herbal wine that will help you cool down and relax. Your kid is probably going to break the camper within the first week anyway. Maybe buy two bottles.

What to drink when you have a little time with your spouse after the kids are finally asleep:

Jim Nolan /for PhillyVoice
Some Young Punks “Quickie” Sauvignon Blanc

2017 Young Punks “Quickie” Sauvignon Blanc; Adelaide Hills, Australia $16.99

This is the obvious choice because who doesn’t love a quickie? This bright Adelaide Hills Sauvignon Blanc gets right to the point with tons of lemon and lime complimented by great texture. It certainly does the job when you have a couple of hours of alone time during this crazy holiday season.

Jim Nolan is a board member of Philly Wine Week and the Pennsylvania sales manager for Vine Street Imports. All the wines mentioned here are imported by his company and can be found at various stores in the region.

Jim Nolan
PhillyVoice Contributor