Originally published on November 14, 2010.
Maybe your family has a lot of thirsty mouths to fill. Or maybe you just like to come well prepared with quantity to spare. Or maybe you want to double duty: get a work out while pouring your wine. If any of these situations fit your bill, then consider picking up a magnum bottle or two for your holiday table. Two that we just happen to have on hand, one white, one red.
Catherine et Pierre Breton Bourgueil Trinch! 2009 Magnum (Bourgueil, Loire, France): A double bottle of red wine happiness. The Bretons are tip top producers in the Bourgueil sub-region of the Loire Valley. This region is where Cabernet Franc stands on its own, unblended with its usual partner, Cabernet Sauvignon. While the Bretons make some complex, age-worthy versions from single vineyards, their Trinch! It’s meant to be drunk young, fresh, and in quantity. And the name? Trinch! It’s the sound that glasses make when clinked together. Which should be done frequently. Price: $42.99 (equivalent to $21.50/bottle)
La Pepiere Clos de Briords Muscadet 2009 Magnum (Loire, France): This wine is legendary among those who know good quality Muscadet. And it’s legendary among those who seek good quality wines at a very good price tag. And it can make you legendary among friends and family seeking something crisp, clean, delicious – and sneakily complex at the Thanksgiving table. Want to be a real hero? Buy a bottle now and take it to turkey day in a few years. Your patience will be rewarded. Price: $35.99 (equivalent to $17.99/bottle)