These four bottles aren’t just wines – they’re postcards from the roads I traveled in 2025, little liquid souvenirs I brought home from places that stole my heart. From volcanic slopes to glacier-cooled lakeshores, from devil-chasing hilltops to sky-high Andean vineyards, each one carries the soul of where it was born. And as the holiday lights start twinkling, they transform into the perfect companions for the season: sparkle to kick off the night, spice to match the feast, brightness to cut through the richness, and velvet depth for those long, fireside conversations.
Here they are – four passports to joy, ready to make your holiday season unforgettable!
Scacciadiavoli Brut Rosé: The Devil-Chasing Sparkler That’s Pure Party Magic!
Oh, buckle up, bubbly lovers—this Scacciadiavoli Brut Rosé from the legendary Cantina Scacciadiavoli is like a cheeky Italian whisper saying, “Life’s too short for flat vibes!” Hailing from the sun-kissed hills of Montefalco in Umbria, Italy, this winery’s been crafting wines since the 1800s, with a name that literally means “devil-chaser”
The region’s volcanic soils and gentle breezes give it that extra zing, turning humble grapes into liquid fireworks.
Winemaking here is all about that classic Italian flair: hand-picked 100% Sagrantino grapes get the royal treatment with the Metodo Classico (think Champagne method, but with more Mediterranean soul), aged min 24 months sur lie fermenting in the bottle for that fine, celebratory fizz. It’s aged just right to keep things fresh without losing the fun—pure artisanal wizardry that lets the terroir shine through every bubble.
Style-wise, this is your go-to sparkling rosé for when you want elegance with a wink: brut-dry for that crisp edge, but bursting with playful energy. It’s the rosé that dances on your tongue, light yet structured, like a summer fling that turns into your new bestie.
Tasting notes? Get ready to swoon: a pale salmon glow in the glass, unleashing a floral explosion of wild strawberries, red apples, and a whisper of brioche crust—fresh as a morning jog through an orchard. On the palate, it’s a lively tango of cranberry zip, ginger spice, and white pepper kick, all wrapped in silky bubbles and zesty acidity that lingers like a flirty goodbye. One sip, and you’re hooked—elegant, savory, and oh-so-refreshing!
For fun food pairings, pop this open with seafood towers , charcuterie boards loaded with prosciutto and fresh cheeses, or even a zesty white-meat grill-out. It’s the ultimate mood-lifter for rooftop toasts, beach picnics, or just because—evoking that carefree, sun-drenched euphoria where worries bubble away and every moment feels like a victory lap. Cheers to chasing devils with delight!
Fun Fact: The winery’s name literally means “Devil-Chaser” because, back in the 19th century, the vineyard sat right next to a tiny village where an exorcist was once called in to banish a pesky demon. Locals swear the first bottles of sparkling Sagrantino were so good that even the devil fled in delight… and never came back!
Le Morette Mandolara 2024: Lake Garda’s Zesty Sunshine in a Bottle!
Dive into the sparkling waters of joy with Le Morette’s Mandolara 2024—because nothing says “let’s make memories” like a white wine that’s as breezy as a Venetian gondola ride! Crafted by the Zenato family at Le Morette winery, these folks have been tending vines in Peschiera del Garda since the 1960s, blending old-school passion with zero-chemical purity for wines that taste like pure, unfiltered happiness.
Nestled in the Lugana DOC region of Veneto, Italy—just a stone’s throw south of Lake Garda’s shimmering shores—this spot’s mineral-rich clays and lake-cooled nights crank up the freshness dial to eleven, making every vintage a love letter to the land.
Winemaking is a family affair done right: 100% Turbiana grapes (that’s Verdicchio’s sexy Italian alias) from the hallowed Mandolara vineyard get a gentle stainless-steel hug to preserve their zippy soul—no oak, no fuss, just pure expression fermented cool and crisp for that vibrant pop. It’s sustainable magic that lets the grapes strut their stuff.
This bad boy rocks a flinty-green white wine style—light-bodied, zingy, and endlessly quaffable, like the cool cousin at the family reunion who always brings the best stories. Perfect for those “aha!” moments when you need refreshment without the weight.
Pour it out, and bam—your nose is hit with a citrus symphony of grapefruit zest, green apple crunch, white flowers, and a sneaky apricot tease, all wrapped in that flinty, mineral kiss from the Garda stones. The palate? A fruity fiesta of peach whispers and apple brightness, finishing with bitter almond elegance and a mouthwatering acidity that begs for another sip. It’s fresh, balanced, and downright addictive—like biting into summer itself!
Pair it up with Taco Tuesday fish tacos, delicate seafood pastas, or veggie-packed risottos for a match made in heaven—light, lively, and laugh-out-loud delicious. The mood? Effortlessly upbeat, evoking lazy afternoons by the water, spontaneous brunches, or that giddy “yes!” to new adventures—pure, feel-good elixir for souls craving a splash of serenity and sparkle!
Fun Fact: The Mandolara vineyard is home to a colony of wild ducks (called “morette” in local dialect) that waddle through the rows every spring. The Zenato family refuses to scare them away, so every vintage is officially “duck-approved” and probably blessed with extra good luck!
Alta Mora Etna Rosso 2022: Sicily’s Volcanic Vixen
Ignite your senses with Alta Mora Etna Rosso 2022, where the fiery spirit of Mount Etna meets winemaking wizardry for a red that’s as explosively fun as a Sicilian festa! Born from the Cusumano family’s Alta Mora project—a high-elevation love child of passion and precision since 2007—this crew’s all about honoring Etna’s wild side with sustainable swagger and indigenous soul.
Perched on the volcanic flanks of Etna in Sicily, Italy—blending grapes from star vineyards like Verzella, Solicchiata, Feudo di Mezzo, and Guardiola at 650–900 meters up—these lava-kissed black sands and ancient soils brew a mineral magic that’s equal parts rugged and refined, capturing the island’s untamed heartbeat.
Winemaking channels that volcanic energy: 100% Nerello Mascalese gets a cool ferment to lock in freshness, then ages in French oak for subtle spice—short and sweet to let the Etna terroir erupt unfiltered, blending fruit from multiple sites for layered lava-like complexity.
This is elegant red wine with an edgy twist—vibrant, medium-bodied, and terroir-driven, like a graceful gladiator who’s all charm and hidden fire, ideal for swirling through sunset hours.
Ruby-red allure in the glass unleashes spicy pepper pops, black currant bursts, wild strawberries, rosemary whispers, and smoky embers with a blood-orange twist—exotic, herbal, and utterly alive! On the tongue, it’s intense yet silky: ripe red fruits mingle with mountain herbs and cedar, finishing with vibrant acidity and a mineral echo that lingers like Etna’s rumble—deep, tasty, and thrillingly balanced.
Pair it wildly with grilled Sicilian tuna steaks, peppery pasta bakes, or robust roasts—its volcanic zip slices through richness like a hero’s sword. The mood? Passionately playful, summoning starry Sicilian nights, fiery feasts with friends, or that electric “let’s chase the horizon” rush—volcanic vitality bottled for souls who live loud and love deep!
Fun Fact: The Guardiola vineyard (one of the sources for this wine) sits at 900 meters above sea level and is planted in pre-phylloxera vines that are over 100 years old – some of the bush vines are so gnarly and twisted they look like they’ve been personally sculpted by lava flows. Locals call them “Etna’s bonsai”!
Zuccardi Q Malbec 2023: Argentina’s Bold, Berry-Fueled Joyride!
Hold onto your sombrero—Zuccardi Q Malbec 2023 from Familia Zuccardi is the red wine equivalent of a tango in the Andes, full of passion, power, and that irresistible pull to dance all night! This powerhouse producer, led by the trailblazing Zuccardi family, has been revolutionizing Argentine wines since 1963, earning global love for their high-altitude heroics and eco-warrior ethos.
Straight from the heart of Valle de Uco in Mendoza, Argentina—specifically the starry Paraje Altamira at San Carlos—these ancient riverbed soils and sky-high elevations (over 3,000 feet!) infuse every grape with cosmic intensity and cool-night purity, turning Malbec into a mountain masterpiece.
Winemaking? It’s precision poetry: hand-harvested Malbec gets a wild-yeast ferment in concrete eggs for that earthy whisper, then gentle oak aging to soften the edges without stealing the show—resulting in a wine that’s structured yet sassy, aging gracefully for years of fun.
Style screams full-bodied red with a fruity twist—medium-bodied actually, for that sneaky elegance—juicy, tannic grip that’s more caress than crush, perfect for sipping solo or stealing the show at dinner.
In the glass, it’s a deep purple stunner exploding with violets, roses, blueberries, and dark plums, laced with tea leaves, crushed rocks, and a honeyed herbal hum. The palate? Silky-soft entry into a world of ripe tannins, sanguine cherry zing, and a long, spicy finish that echoes like a sunset serenade—fruity, firm, and fantastically fresh!
Fire it up with BBQ ribs, juicy steak skewers, or even a cheeky Malbec-pizza night—its bold berries cut through the smoke like a pro. The vibe? Adventurously upbeat, channeling cozy firepit gatherings, road-trip revelations, or that triumphant “we did it!” toast—pure, heart-pumping elixir for bold hearts ready to conquer the night!
Fun Fact: This wine comes from Paraje Altamira, where the vineyard soils are littered with giant, smooth river stones so big they look like dinosaur eggs. Sebastián Zuccardi actually uses them as natural “heat batteries” – they soak up the sun all day and gently warm the vines at night like a cozy Malbec blanket!
