…but Christmas and the New Year are right around the corner! It always seem to happen that way--you hardly have time to finish the Thanksgiving leftovers and it's suddenly Christmas Eve! This year especially, with Thanksgiving falling so late on the calendar, your shopping season is really going to be a rush. Fortunately I have some pretty good wine choices for you.

We have some wonderful new Champagne ideas for both your special friends and family and the person most deserving…yourself. Something that I always like to receive are wines in large format bottles, and this year we are offering two fine French Champagnes, Moutard Grand Cuvee Brut ($69.99)and Jean-Noel Haton Reserve Brut ($69.99) in magnum bottles. These are delicious bottles of wine, and as a gift they hard to beat for the “WOW” you will receive from whomever is lucky enough to receive such a gift. We have also been fortunate to receive both of these fine Champagnes in demis, or half-bottles ($19.99), which will make great stocking-stuffers for your favorite wine enthusiasts.

This what a wine critic from the Wine Spectator Magazine thought of the Moutard Grand Cuvee: “Spiced, with juicy roast apple, Meyer lemon, fruitcake, anise and smoky notes, followed by a firm finish. Razor sharp acidity focuses this streamlined Champagne, so try with food such as fish or pork. Best through 2017. 90 points."

There are, of course, many more terrific ideas for you at your favorite ABC, so drop by and ask your ABC wine consultant for more holiday gift wines.

Ken Amendola, ABC Fine Wine & Spirits Wine Supervisor

Follow him on Twitter @abcwinekena