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Master of Wine Christopher Cree Master of Wine Christopher Cree is the founder and managing partner of the Cree Wine Company, a wine bar and kitchen, wine school, event space and online wine seller located in the historic Perryville Inn in Hampton, NJ. In 1996, he became only the thirteenth American to pass the Master of Wine Examination since it was first given in London in 1953. Today, there are 418 active Masters of Wine worldwide, with only 56 working in the United States. has hints of green apple and citrus, a fine, elegant mousse, a bit of toasted brioche, and laser focus from start to finish. Even better yet, it's reasonably priced at around $55 per bottle. My next "must-have" wine for the holidays is white Burgundy. From crisp, mineral Chablis (perfect with oysters on the half shell, chilled shrimp, or stone crabs) to fuller, richer whites such as Puligny Montrachet, Chassagne Montrachet, or Meursault for full seafood like lobster or meaty roasted fish, they are a must-have in my cellar. Prices have increased recently due to small harvests caused by weather, but they are nonetheless some of the best expressions of the Chardonnay grape you will find anywhere. Grand Cru wines from top growers such as Coche Dury can run you into the hundreds or thousands of dollars per bottle. But there are many Bourgogne Blancs and Village level wines that start in the $20s and are under $100. Chateau de Chamilly Bourgogne Blanc 2021, from a small family grower in the Cote Chalonnaise, is a personal favorite, and at around $30 it's an incredible value. Lovely apple-tinged Chardonnay fruit leads the way, with just a hint of oak for complexity. It delivers true Burgundian character at a very affordable price. For something crisp and more focused, Roland Lavantureux Chablis Vieilles Vignes 2021 is hard to beat. Made from sixty-year-old vines, grown in clay and Kimmeridgian limestone, this Chablis is fermented in stainless steel, then 60% aged in 3- 5-year-old barrels and 40% in stainless steel. At $49.99 per bottle, the price point for this racy, stony, beautiful Chablis is hard to beat. For reds, I love Bordeaux at the holidays, but Pinot Noir-based red Burgundies get the nod for versatility when pairing with food. ey are perfectly at home with anything from a standing rib of beef, a crown roast of pork, or a traditional turkey dinner. ey have many of the same issues today as the whites do(rising prices and scarcity of wines), but you can still find value if you look hard. Domaine Didier Fornerol Côte de Nuits Villages Rouge 2021 is one example of an up-and-coming superstar winemaker. He learned his cra as vineyard manager and cellar master at the prestigious Domaine de L'Arlot from 1982 until 1998, a time when that estate rose to stardom. He le in 1999 to take over his family's winery and has put it on the map since then. Lovely, crushed cherry and earth on the nose, followed by dark and red fruits, hints of cranberry, and a whiff of well-integrated oak (just 10% new oak barrels) round out its flavor. Spice box notes with fine tannins and a lovely long finish are all present and accounted for. e only drawback is that there is very little produced, but if found, it can be enjoyed at $49.99 per bottle. ese are just a few suggestions for your holiday entertaining and enjoyment. To learn more and taste dozens of wines by the glass, flight, and hundreds by the bottle–all with deliciously prepared cuisine–come see us at Cree Wine Company! • Champagne Michel Gonet Blanc de Champagne Michel Gonet Blanc de Blancs Les 3 Terroirs Blancs Les 3 Terroirs • • Chateau de Chamilly Bourgogne Blanc 2021 Chateau de Chamilly Bourgogne Blanc 2021 • • Domaine Didier Fornerol Côte de Nuits Villages Rouge 2021 Domaine Didier Fornerol Côte de Nuits Villages Rouge 2021 • • Roland Lavantureux Chablis Vieilles Vignes 2021 Roland Lavantureux Chablis Vieilles Vignes 2021 VUENJ.COM 37

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