Wines to Pair with Cheese & Charcuterie 750 ml

It’s estimated that the US loses $4 billion in productivity due to post-Super Bowl, um, we’ll say absenteeism. There’s a movement afoot to make the Monday after the big game a holiday, but until that day comes, we say don’t let that productivity perish in vain. 

The best way to do that is by savoring every sip we take on Super Bowl Sunday—which means having perfect pairings at the ready. 

OK, let’s say you love the game but reject football’s Velveeta-dip and Cool Ranch culture, so you decide to go full country club with cheese and charcuterie. We say go all-in with a bottle of Champagne—it doesn’t get any fancier than that, and bubbly won’t break stride when your friend who didn’t get the memo shows up with Flaming Hot Cheetos. And since a Super Bowl party with Camembert is likely to have filet mignon coming off the grill at halftime, we recommend bringing in a hearty California Cab to complete the point-after.

The French Laundry’s Standard By-the-Glass Bubbly

Pierre Gimonnet et Fils Premier Cru Blanc de Blancs Brut Champagne

Favored by sommeliers and in-the-know drinkers, this Premier Cru Blanc de Blancs Champagne offers incredible value. The mineral-driven house style and its winemaking process go well beyond what you’d expect.

Tasting Note: Pale straw with platinum reflections throughout the fine tiny bubbles. The nose is pointed and clean, with crisp notes of green apple, citrus zest, and faint white flowers.  The palate is squeaky clean and precise with a chalky mineral edge reminiscent of sea spray. Focused and composed on the finish, this wine shows a very lively side of Blanc de Blancs. Drink now - 2025.

A Hermitage Icon's Red Steal

2017 Paul Jaboulet Aîné Secret de Famille Côtes-du-Rhône

From 35-year-old vines, the first sip of this Rhône red had our minds swirling with top AOCs that go for twice as much. A beautiful bottle from an icon of the Northern Rhône.

Tasting Note: Showing a medium ruby color with a dense core. Bold aromas of black raspberry, wild strawberry, garrigue, cracked peppercorn, fennel, and smoked meat rise from the glass. On entry the wine is fruit-forward, but the flavors of red and black fruits evolve towards savory smoke, dried herbs, and spice. Chewy tannins and a warming finish give this medium-bodied wine textural layers that make it stand out from more basic Côtes-du-Rhône, delivering great value for the money. Drink now - 2025.

The Best Values are on the Back Roads

2018 Domaine de Piaugier Côtes-du-Rhône Villages Sablet Blanc

This white will have guests thinking you shelled out the big bucks. Textured, rich, and beautiful, its power and complexity wowed us, out-performing Chardonnays and white Rhônes twice the price.

Tasting Note: Medium golden in color, the nose immediately shows ripe yellow apple, toast, baking spice, honeycomb, wild herb, hawthorn blossom, and crushed quartz mineral aromas. Expansive on the palate, there is a viscous core of preserved apple and quince paste flavors that evolves toward vanilla, clove, and dried herb notes that linger on the finish. The well-integrated character of quality French cooperage and full body will appeal to fans of Chardonnay, but the breadth and powerful weight is classically Rhône—a great alternative to more expensive Châteauneuf-du-Pape Blanc. Drink now - 2030.

Send a Bottle to the Penthouse Suite

2018 Piece of Work Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley

This estate-grown Cabernet comes from a top Stags Leap winery whose name we can’t disclose per NDA rules. A few barrels in the best vintages are usually set aside as a house Napa Cab for top-rated hotels.

Tasting Note: Red-tinged purple color greets the eye. Aromas of plums, cherries, and vanilla persist on a first sip, joined by tobacco and chocolate. Velvety strong tannins wrap the flavors in supple texture. Drink now - 2026.