Sokol Blosser Sings in the Holidays With Cheer

DAYTON, OR--(Marketwired - Nov 11, 2015) - Tis the season for making a list and checking it twice, and Sokol Blosser Winery is spreading cheer with wines paired to everyone's favorite holiday songs. One of Oregon's oldest yet most innovative wineries, Sokol Blosser is helping hosts create a festive ambience to make their seasonal gatherings even more spectacular.

Planning for the holidays can be overwhelming, given the perfect storm of gift-giving, decorating and entertaining with merry food, drink and, of course, music. Few hosts have access to a sommelier who can help select the right wines or a DJ to mix the right tunes for the occasion, whether it's a traditional dinner or a contemporary cocktail party. But no matter which playlist or gathering you choose, Sokol Blosser has a varietal to suit the songs played and dishes served, making for a perfectly packaged soiree.

"Since 1971, Sokol Blosser has rejoiced in producing some of the best wines in Oregon," says co-president and CEO Alison Sokol Blosser. "Given the breadth of our portfolio, we think every wine lover and party host will find just the right varietal to help cherish those special moments that come about during the holidays each year."

Sokol Blosser's Wine Pairing Guide:

• Like the winter classic "White Christmas" by Bing Crosby, 2014 Willamette Valley Pinot Gris ($19) is merry and bright and dry and refreshing with expressive notes of floral, citrus and melon.
  • Pairs well with shellfish, seafood pastas, simple sauces and coconut-based dishes (Asian, Indian, etc.).
    
    
• Dancing and prancing in the frosty air no longer just describes Billy Idol's classic hit, "Jingle Bell Rock," but also the crisp flavor of Evolution Lucky No. 9 White ($15) with its intense tropical fruit notes up front and a crisp, clean finish.
  • Pairs well with spicy Asian, Indian, Mexican and Caribbean foods or anything with a jambalaya.
    
    
• While you may need Santa beside you like in "Christmas is All Around" by Bill Nighy, we recommend also keeping a glass of Evolution Big Time Red ($15) around you as well, and if one song just isn't enough of a pairing, sit down with friends and watch all of Love Actually with the rest of the bottle. The warm, silkiness of this complex red wine is created from an unexpected blend of varietals -- syrah, montepulciano and sangiovese -- with (the secret ingredient) a splash of Evolution White and has notes of dark berries and cloves with a velvety finish.
  • Pairs well with grilled meats, Italian red sauce dishes, pizza and even a fine ratatouille.
    
    
• Mariah Carey's "All I Want for Christmas is You" is the gold standard of Christmas songs, just like Sokol Blosser's pinot noir is the gold standard of Oregon pinots. So this year, don't ask for any presents under the tree, just 2013 Dundee Hills Pinot Noir ($38). It starts smooth in the palate, but is expressive with bright dark fruit flavors of cherry and blueberry. Earthy and spicy characteristics carry through, and notes of cola, root beer and cassis linger in the finish.
  • Pairs well with poached salmon, braised duck breast and earthy, foraged vegetables like mushrooms.
    
    
• Like the classic Christmas hit "Baby, It's Cold Outside" by Idina Menzel and Michael Bublé, the limited production 2012 Goosepen Block Pinot Noir ($80) comes from Sokol Blosser's most prized single block of pinot noir and is nice and warm, medium bodied and showcases notes of baked blueberry fruit, bramble, fresh blackberry and hints of cocoa with a ripe finish.
  • Pairs well with strong cheeses and red meats like rack of lamb or a smoky glazed ham.
    
    
• Enjoy not only a cup of kindness this holiday as "Auld Lang Syne" by Pink Martini would recommend but also a glass of Evolution Brut Sparkling ($20). With bursts of citrus and aromatics of apricot, green apple and Bosc pear, this bright, delicious glass of bubbly starts off dry and finishes crisp.
  • Pairs well with mild cheeses, smoked fish and meat, pork, poultry and popcorn -- believe it or not!
    
    

About Sokol Blosser Winery
Nearly 45 years ago, before there was an Oregon wine industry, the Sokol Blosser family began growing grapes and creating exemplary wines. Located on a certified organic 85-acre planted vineyard in Oregon's Dundee Hills sub appellation, B Corp-certified Sokol Blosser Winery consistently captures the terroir of the region as expressed through the brilliance of its estate fruit. The winery produces pinot noir, pinot gris, chardonnay, riesling and small quantities of single block pinot noirs under its Sokol Blosser brand name, as well as a white blend, red blend, pinot noir and sparkling wine under the Evolution brand name. Visit http://www.sokolblosser.com to learn more.