December Wine Club: Piedmont, Plus a Few Passport Stamps

The holidays are made for wine — group dinners and gift exchanges, staff parties and secret Santas, and of course that well-earned glass once things finally slow down. 'Tis the season of full tables and shared bottles, and December Wine Club is built exactly for that.

This month, we’re spotlighting Piedmont, alongside a few global favorites, with wines chosen for how we actually drink in December: versatile, food-friendly, and full of personality.

Even better? Our Piedmont selections come in generous liter bottles, made for sharing. These larger formats are perfect for holiday gatherings, easy refills, and family-style meals — in true Piedmont fashion, they’re meant to be poured freely and enjoyed together.

Expect bright whites, a festive rosato, and expressive reds that feel just as at home on a holiday table as they do on a quiet night in.

From Piedmont, With Love 🇮🇹

Cortese-Based White

Cortese with a touch of Chardonnay & Sauvignon Blanc

At its best, Cortese produces wines with pleasing weight, vibrant acidity, and a mineral-driven backbone — and that’s exactly what you’ll find here. While Cortese is best known as the grape behind the celebrated whites of Gavi, this bottling adds small amounts of Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc, sharpening the edges and elevating the wine’s overall freshness.

The result is a beautifully balanced white that’s crisp yet substantial — ideal for seafood, lighter holiday dishes, or sipping while something’s in the oven.

Fun fact: Cortese was first documented in 1614, recorded in the ledger of the Castle of Casale Monferrato. Safe to say, it’s stood the test of time.

Piemonte Rosato DOC

Barbera & Dolcetto

With aromas of fresh-cut watermelon, this lively rosato brings serious charm and brightness to the glass. Made from two Piedmont staples — Barbera and Dolcetto — the grapes are softly pressed, with the juice spending just a few hours on the skins. The result? A delicate pink hue and a fresh, energetic profile that’s perfect for aperitivo hour or pairing with salty snacks and charcuterie.

Fun fact: Rosato represents a tiny percentage of Piedmont’s overall wine production, and 2021 marked just the fourth vintage of this Ercole bottling. A rare treat from a region best known for reds.

Barbera del Monferrato DOC

Many people know Barbera for its bright, mouthwatering acidity — and this bottle delivers just that. What’s less well known is that Monferrato’s most prestigious vineyard zones are dedicated to Barbera, producing wines with impressive depth and balance. (In nearby Langhe, Nebbiolo takes the spotlight instead.)

Typically planted on south-facing slopes, these vineyards benefit from optimal sun exposure, resulting in a Barbera that’s vibrant yet grounded — lively enough to cut through rich holiday dishes, but polished enough to sip on its own.

Fun fact: Most experts trace the origins of Barbera to the hills of Monferrato, making this a true hometown wine and a perfect addition to our Piedmont-focused December lineup.

---

Global Guests We’re Loving

Jean & Jean-Paul Versino

Vin de France “Cuvée Le Petit Oursan” Blanc (NV)100% Clairette

Jean-Paul Versino’s day job is running Bois de Boursan, one of the most traditional and respected estates in Châteauneuf-du-Pape — and that same philosophy carries through to the Petit Oursan wines. Sourced from a small, unaffiliated vineyard just outside the appellation, this white is made entirely from Clairette, a Rhône variety prized for its ability to retain acidity even at full ripeness.

Expect aromas of Asian pear, peach, acacia, and salted lemon, followed by a palate bursting with citrus zest, plantain, kiss melon, and a final touch of salty minerality.

Leirana Albariño

Rías Baixas, Spain

Rodrigo Méndez is widely considered one of the world’s greatest Albariño producers. A fifth-generation grower from Val do Salnés, the most coastal subzone of Rías Baixas, Rodrigo crafts wines that are pure expressions of place.

Using organic farming, native yeast fermentations, extended lees contact, and minimal sulfur, his wines are layered, precise, and deeply connected to the Atlantic. This Albariño is fresh, mineral-driven, and quietly complex — the kind of bottle that disappears faster than you expect.

Jean & Jean-Paul Versino

“Cuvée Le Petit Oursan” Rouge Grenache, Merlot & Syrah

Sourced from cooler vineyards just northeast of Châteauneuf-du-Pape, this red blends Grenache, Merlot, and Syrah, combining lifted red fruit with subtle earthiness and rustic charm. Partially raised in steel and partially from declassified Châteauneuf fruit aged in cement, it’s fresh, expressive, and incredibly versatile at the table.

A Rhône red with personality — and one that works beautifully with holiday meals.

Bardos “Viñedos de Altura”

Ribera del Duero Tempranillo (Tinta Fina)

This elegant yet powerful red comes from high-altitude vineyards in the rugged Soria region of Ribera del Duero. Many of these vines are 100+ years old, some even pre-phylloxera, producing concentrated fruit with remarkable balance.

Beyond the bottle, Bardos is doing meaningful work through Proyecto Bardos, partnering with the Federation of Rural Women’s Associations to support female entrepreneurship and preserve rural culture — something we’re proud to support through this selection.

---

Why We Love This Lineup

This month’s wine club is all about sharing — wines meant to be poured generously, passed around the table, and enjoyed in good company. From bright, refreshing whites to festive rosé and grounded, comforting reds, each bottle was chosen with gathering in mind. These are wines with a strong sense of place, made by people who care deeply about what they do — and you can taste it in every glass.

Whether you’re opening them with friends, bringing a bottle to a holiday dinner, or lingering a little longer around the table with family, we hope these wines add something special to the moments you’re sharing this season.

Cheers to full glasses, long conversations, and good company,

– Katie 🥂