Top 43 wines to buy now

MOST OFFBEAT WINNERS

Love the unusual? Loathe drinking the same thing everyone else is? Here’s your beverage list.

• James Arthur 2011 Edelweiss (Nebraska; $17). This white grape was developed to withstand cold winters. Here, it’s slightly spritzy and semisweet, with bright Granny Smith apple flavors and a clean, balanced finish.
• William Chris 2011 John Dale Vineyards Blanc du Bois (Washington County, Texas; $28). Yes, Blanc du Bois is a grape, too, in this case with characteristic honeyed florals, tropical fruit, and mouth-filling texture.
• Chiarito 2009 Fox Hill Vineyards Negroamaro (Mendocino; $32). Dried herbs and crispy-edged brownies spice up ripe dark fruit and dusty tannins.
• Sea Mist NV Cranberry/Raspberry Wine (Oregon; $14). Beautiful definition of cranberry and raspberry fruit, with impressive richness and a smooth finish.
• Peter Vella NV Sangria (American; $11). If you don’t have time to make your wine punch from scratch, this is the way to go.
• Eaglemount NV Ginger Cider (Washington State; $14). Clean and long—ginger hits just the right note on the nose with the apple aromas.

PERFECT ZINS

All-American Zinfandel is great with a pungent, spicy, fruity turkey dinner.

• Ancient Peaks 2010 Zinfandel (Paso Robles; $17). Cranberries and cherries are sprinkled with spices and brightened with acidity.
• Fritz 2009 Estate Grown Zinfandel (Dry Creek Valley; $25). Red cherries keep this one bright, but darker berries, licorice notes, and earth keep it interesting.
• MacLeod Family 2010 Indian Springs Ranch Zinfandel (Sonoma Valley; $28). Textbook Zinfandel: wild raspberries and spicy black pepper in a mouth-filling style.
• Meadowcroft 2009 Zinfandel (Sonoma County; $34). Rich, deep fruit, with good structure and balance and just a hint of toast.
• Scott Harvey 2010 Mountain Selection Zinfandel (Amador County; $22). Well-ripened red fruit with a dash of briary spice and a firmly structured, racy finish.
• Shenandoah 2010 Special Reserve Zinfandel (Amador County; $11). Great balance between fruit and acidity. Brambly berries touched with spice.
• V. Sattui 2009 Black Sears Vineyard Zinfandel (Howell Mountain, Napa Valley; $42). Peppery, with exuberant red and black fruit and a long, spicy finish.
• Zinfatuation 2010 Zinfandel (Amador County; $10). Shy aromas rebound with mouth-filling texture and firm structure.

GREAT GIFTS

Challenging people on your holiday gift list? We’ve got the perfect bottles for your...

• Brother: Troublemaker by Austin Hope NV “Blend 3” (Paso Robles; $20). A classy response to all those years of his teasing.
• Old college roommate who’s turned into a wine snob: Goldeneye 2009 Pinot Noir (Anderson Valley; $55). Hedge your bets with a variety that’s hot, but with a bottle that has the pedigree of an illustrious Napa winery (Duckhorn) behind it.
• Pop culture–obsessed friend: Barrymore 2011 Pinot Grigio (Delle Venezie IGT; $20). With this winning Grigio, Drew Barrymore joins the legions of celebrities jumping into the wine biz.
• New spouse: Fidélitas 2011 Semillon (Columbia Valley; $18). The name is the message: fidelity, loyalty, honor.
• Recent college grad: Fetzer 2010 “Valley Oaks” Moscato (California; $8). Don’t waste big bucks on the bottle you tuck in this stocking—22-year-olds know the wine to drink now is the sweet white the likes of Drake and Gucci Mane have been rapping about.
• Boss: Jordan 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon (Alexander Valley; $52). A role model of a California Cab.