They say as you get older, the days get longer and the years grow shorter. This statement could not be more accurate as evidenced by the Holiday season lurking just weeks away. With this time of year comes family gatherings, Holiday parties, and giving those special to us a token of our appreciation.

All of these situations are an opportunity to show your forethought and thoughtfulness through the means of liquid appreciation. So, whether you are bringing a bottle to the Holiday drop-in, giving one as a special gift, or merely toting your own to tolerate that family gathering, I’ve got you covered.

Drop-ins and Holiday parties are some of the most difficult to navigate. It’s easy to get caught up in the choices of wine style, grape variety, and price range, but we need not overcomplicate things. First, know your audience. Ask yourself if those in attendance are avid wine consumers or just partiers. If you are unsure then default to the latter.

The next step is bringing a wine that you enjoy. There’s a chance that the other guests made the mistake of asking a local retail counter jockey for their opinion and thus arrived with the bottle that made the store the biggest markup. So, instead of being relegated to drinking that swill, you at least have a bottle that you can sip on.

For the white wine fans, one of my default party wines is Sauvignon Blanc. The bright linear acidity and citrus driven profile make a great accompaniment for most party fare and even a great sipper on its own. Saint Clair Wairau Reserve Sauvignon Blanc 2023, Marlborough, New Zealand ($40) shows classic boxwood, grapefruit, and nettles with a weightier palate feel that increases the sexiness of this wine.

If you have some wine geeks in attendance or want a conversation starter, I suggest Early Mountain Petit Manseng 2023, Virginia ($65). Made popular in the white blends of Southern France, this Virginia wine is 100% varietal. These wines have interesting tropical nuances and are known for their sometimes-bracing acidity. Malolactic fermentation and prolonged lees contact tame the acid and add brioche-like complexity.

If red wine is more your style, drop a big bold Zinfandel on the table like Seghesio Family Estate Zinfandel 2023, Sonoma County ($26). This example shows pleasant restraint with fresh ripe raspberry and blackberry, brambles, and a hint of baking spice. The palate displays the same fruit with fine-grained tannins and gently warming alcohol.

For a Bordeaux-style option, Le Vigne Estate Nikiara 2021, Paso Robles ($40) blends 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 23% Petit Verdot, 17% Cabernet Franc, and 5% Merlot. Red and dark fruit (raspberry, boysenberry, plum) with elements of chocolate, leather, cedar box, and baking spice. The palate has well-integrated silky tannins and crunchy acid structure.

Now, if you are searching for a bottle as a gift rather than a party contribution, that changes our tactics a bit. Similar to the party approach, know your audience and what they prefer. The difference comes in how wide the wallet opens. Whether your token bottle is going to a good friend, boss, or your favorite wine writer, I recommend stepping up your game.

For the bright wine acid loving taster, Gamble Estate Sauvignon Blanc 2024, Yountville ($60) delivers complex layers of ripe tropical and orchard fruit with a viscous, textured mouthfeel and bright linear acidity.

For those who prefer the oaky, buttery style, Jermann Where Dreams Have No End Bianco 2022, Venezia Giulia ($85) shows evident oak influence and malolactic character presenting as toasted and buttered pastry with tropical marmalade. The palate carries the same toasted oak nuance with a spiced grilled pineapple finish.

For red wine gifts, Whitehall Lane Cabernet Sauvignon 2021, Napa Valley ($56) offers sweet blackberries, dried figs, black cherries, toasted vanilla, and a hint of cigar box. The palate delivers rich velvety tannins, dark chocolate-covered cherries, and mixed berry pie.

For the ultimate gift that makes a statement, Revana Estate Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2022, St. Helena ($225) presents cassis, black currant, black cherry, and plums in layered harmony balanced with moist tobacco, chocolate, and a floral note. Beautiful tannin management with evident cellar potential for another decade.

Moving on to the mandatory family gathering. As they are aware that I know a little about wine, I often must bring a “decoy bottle” that I open and place by the food for everyone to see. The bottle that I will actually be drinking to get through the Holiday family experience, my emotional support bottle, will be opened and stashed in a location where I can do a drive-by refill without drawing too much attention.

My wine of choice for this is Pinot Noir, and I love Willamette Valley examples. Van Duzer Homestead Block Pinot Noir 2022, Willamette Valley ($70) offers aromas of dark cherry, plum, black raspberry, rose petal, baking spice, and leaf pile after an Autumn rain. Subtle refined tannins complemented by lively, fresh acidity. Perfect for contemplative survival.

So, if you are attending any of the multitude of drop-ins, generously gifting, or dealing with family, I hope some of these bottles fit your holiday situations. Remember there is absolutely nothing wrong with wrapping a self-labeled liquid present under the tree as reward for being good all year. Just label it from Santa and act surprised when you open it. Wishing you and yours a happy and safe Holiday season.