It’s December, and that means it’s time to gather around the table for a holiday meal—and perhaps sip on something delicious. With so many components to seasonal feasting, choosing wines can feel a little daunting for even an experienced wine enthusiast. 

Fortunately, Mountain Brook’s Golden Age Wine takes the guesswork out of holiday sipping with thoughtful, approachable recommendations.

Founded by Brandon Loper and Trent Stewart, Golden Age feels like your favorite European wine bar. Their program has earned national attention, named one of the Most Outstanding Wine Programs in the country by the James Beard Foundation in 2022 and recognized as one of the Best Wine Shops in America by Wine Enthusiast.

At the heart of their philosophy is a commitment to producers they know and trust. Every bottle meets strict standards: organically grown at minimum, fermented on native yeast, and often crafted with biodynamic practices. The team stays closely connected to their winemakers so they always have clear insight into how each wine is produced–and so their consumer is getting the best glass every time.

We sat down with Kady Wohlfarth, Wine Steward & Food Director at Golden Age, who walked us through her top picks for pairing wines with every course of your holiday meal.

Appetizers: 2022 B&S Tissot “Patchwork” Arbois Chardonnay

A holiday meal usually starts with grazing–a board of cheeses, almonds, and charcuterie is a great introduction to a multi-course dinner. Kady recommends a Chardonnay out of the Jura region in France. 

“This wine is typical to the Jura wine region–they’re wines that have a slight oxidation to them, which means it’s going to be slightly deeper in color and have some nuttiness to it.” She says that these flavors make it a go-to appetizer wine, perfect to pair with gruyère or a morbier-style cheese like Sequatchie Cove Coppinger.

Seafood & Oysters: 2023 Mortellito Blanco “Calaiancu” Terre Siciliane

Tucked away in a corner of Sicily, Mortellito aims to produce wines that reflect the characteristics of the territory. “Their white wines are a perfect representation of terroir,” Kady says. “The wine is from a polyculture farm–there’s olive groves, animals, lots of things coexisting. It’s that rich diversity that creates a wine that’s more complex.” 

The wine feels fresh, mineraly, and slightly salty–perfect for pairing with raw oysters or a seafood course.

Main Course: 2022 Colombera & Garella “Melascone” Rosso

To pair with a main dish such as turkey, ham, or brisket, Kady recommends a red wine out of Northern Italy. The Columbera & Garella Winery uses only native grapes– Nebbiolo, Croatina, and Vespolina–which Kady says can make for a very powerful and tannic wine. 

“If you like Barolo, then this one’s for you,” she says, also mentioning that it’s at a much more affordable price point than a Barolo. “It’s a really elegant wine, and it kind of shows off when it’s paired with a brisket or steak.”

Dessert: 2022 Merkelbach Ürziger Würzgarten Riesling Spätlese

When it’s time for the sweet course, Kady recommends leaning into a traditional style of dessert wine—specifically a Spätlese Riesling from the historic Merkelbach estate in Germany’s Mosel Valley. “Spätlese is an indication that it’s a sweet wine,” she explains, “and in my opinion, a sweet wine is what you want with dessert.”

She notes that sweetness in food will amplify bitterness and acidity in a wine, which is why desserts—from apple and pumpkin pies to chocolate treats—pair best with wines that have sweetness built in. “This is the perfect one to convert people who think they only like dry wines,” Kady says.

The Perfect Toast: Laherte Frères “Ultradition” Extra Brut Champagne NV

For the grand finale, a holiday toast, Kady reaches for Laherte Frères “Ultradition,” a Champagne that delivers exceptional quality for its price. “It’s the best bang for your buck for a traditional-method Champagne,” she says.

The estate is run by two brothers whose wines have only recently become available stateside, and they’ve already gained a devoted following. “It’s a massive crowdpleaser,” Kady notes. Bright and effortlessly elegant, it’s a bottle designed for celebration.

For those looking to explore beyond the usual holiday staples, Golden Age Wine remains one of the best shops in the state to find something distinctive. Their team is intentional about every bottle they bring in, making it easy to walk away with a wine that’s both unique and thoughtfully crafted.

Golden Age also runs a tiered Wine Club with monthly selections chosen by their team, plus statewide shipping for anyone who can’t make it to the shop. Whether you’re planning ahead for holiday gatherings or just want a great bottle for the weekend, it’s an easy place to find wines that feel little different from the usual. Visit them on Culver Road in Mountain Brook, or at their Wine Garden on 2nd Avenue in downtown Birmingham.