The first flashes of amber and scarlet in the leaves have arrived to let us know that the holiday season is upon us. As the weather turns colder and families head indoors, we begin to savor the small things in life: a warm fire, a sumptuous meal, and the perfect glass of wine to accompany them both.
Just as our annual festivities are an ideal blend of old traditions and new stories and classic dishes with a contemporary twist, Casillero del Diablo wines offer an intriguing take on familiar wine pairings. From graceful Pinot Noir and spicy Carmen猫re to structured Cabernet, there’s a wine for every mood and dish. Known for their bold, down-to-earth flavors and nuanced, subtle notes, these Chilean wines bring a refined twist to the table that is both familiar and exciting, and one we welcome year after year.
The captivating Carmen猫re is a surefire way to elevate a traditional Thanksgiving meal. Made of Chile’s flagship grape, Casillero del Diablo Carmen猫re melds deep red and blackberry flavors with herbaceous green peppercorn notes. It pairs perfectly with classic Thanksgiving dishes such as crisp, roast turkey with cranberry sauce and sage, and roasted Brussels sprouts dotted with smoky pancetta. Its smooth tannins and medium body play perfectly with the most traditional dishes, while its seductive smoke and spice elevate both the dishes’ flavors and the conversation around them.
For the Festival of Lights, a flavorful Casillero del Diablo Reserva Pinot Noir delivers a clever complexity that reveals new layers between plates of crisp, savory potato latkes, sweet sufganiyot, and savory beef brisket. Brimming with notes of strawberry and raspberry, this subtly spicy wine has just the right balance of fruitiness and acidity to deliver a pleasant accompaniment to all these dishes. Elegant and delicate, this Pinot Noir captivates the palate with velvety tannins and a long persistent finish that rises to greet each dish and shines a light on its flavor profile before concluding with subtle hints of cedar and tobacco.
The rich, ruby red Casillero del Diablo Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon brings the perfect balance of sweet, lush cherries, black currant, and dark plums to Christmas dinner, wrapped up in notes of toast and coffee. Medium-bodied with silky tannins, this Cabernet Sauvignon’s aromas are well structured and balanced, creating an intriguing match to even the heartiest of dishes. Pair it with anything from a rich, roast goose to honey-glazed ham, and toothsome platters of roasted vegetables to decadent Christmas puddings.
While no two Kwanzaa celebrations are the same, they all share rich and vibrant celebrations and sumptuous dishes. There is no better accompaniment to the deep flavors of a Ghanaian groundnut stew, South African beef curries, or Senegalese thieboudienne than a lush, full-bodied Malbec. Casillero del Diablo Malbec overflows with sweet blackberry and plum aromas that give way to black pepper and vanilla, rendering an intense, vermillion wine that harmonizes not just across dishes but culinary traditions as well.
For those who have tired of the tried-and-true champagne, Casillero del Diablo’s Sauvignon Blanc offers a welcome alternative for the New Year’s toast. The grapes are grown near the Pacific Ocean, giving the wine a pronounced freshness that is both lush and well-rounded and features a perfect balance of mineral notes layered with peach, citrus, gooseberry, and tropical notes. This gentle, round and delectable wine is a delightful soft green and pairs beautifully with sea bass, ceviche, and other seafood dishes, not to mention our New Year’s celebrations.