Twinkling stars and crackling firesides pair wonderfully with an easy-sipping red wine this time of year, and we’ve got just the right one for your toasts as 2022 draws to a close.
2019 Lafage Narassa Red, available at Classic Wine Company in Homewood for $22.79 per bottle, is an example of something wonderful emerging from error. A bundle of overripe Grenache grapes did not deter inspired winemakers, who ended up creating this “luxurious and supple wine,” according to Classic Wine Owner Josh Terrell. Now made in a semi ripasso style, the grapes are harvested and dried to recreate the same texture, then combined with Syrah to enhance lift and acidity. The resulting wine has the tantalizing aroma of dark fruits, including blackberries and plums, plus hints of minerality, and it is “rich and luscious” on the palate.
Terrell suggests gently chilling this red wine in the fridge for just 20 minutes to achieve its optimum temperature of cool but not cold. Pair the Lafage Narassa with any year-end festivity your heart desires, including those peaceful evenings by the fire, watching stars fall on Alabama.
