Holiday Wine Guide 2025: Best Italian Wines for Gifting & Hosting
Our December Wine Showcase
We’re celebrating December with a lineup of remarkable Italian (and Italian-inspired) wines. Each has been chosen for its personality, charm, and ability to turn an ordinary evening into something special.
Whether you’re brand-new to wine or the family sommelier, you’ll find something to love. Each bottle below includes easy, delicious pairings, event ideas, and even gift suggestions because nothing says “I adore you” like a thoughtfully chosen wine.
Rosa Dolce & Gabbana by Donnafugata
A vibrant Sicilian rosé that tastes as stylish as it looks. Expect bright strawberry, pomegranate, and a whisper of Mediterranean herbs. Crisp, graceful, and so easy to sip that even a beginner feels fancy.
It pairs well with bruschetta, shrimp skewers, or a bright berry salad. And is perfect for a glamorous girls’ night or holiday brunch. Need a gift? Send this to a stylish friend who has a matching outfit for every mood.
Scarpetta Cabernet Franc – Friuli Venezia Giulia
Earthy, juicy, and smooth, this Cabernet Franc brings gentle notes of red berries, pepper, and soft herbs. It’s elegant without trying too hard. Think of it as your new “I didn’t know Cab Franc could taste like this!” wine. Scarpetta pairs well with roast chicken, grilled vegetables, or mushroom risotto and is perfect for a cozy game night or a wintery fireside dinner. Need a gift idea? Send this to the budding wine lover ready to expand their palate.
Monte Rossa Franciacorta Satèn
Franciacorta’s velvety cousin to Champagne. Satèn is known for its softer, creamier bubbles, and this bottle delivers with almond, white peach, and a delicate mineral finish. A festive showstopper that even wine experts applaud. Franciacorta pairs well with blinis, oysters, baked brie, or truffle popcorn and is designed for holiday toasts, New Year’s celebrations, and elegant soirées. It’s the perfect gift for the Champagne lover who thinks they’ve tasted it all.
Kurtatsch Pinot Grigio
A crisp Alpine beauty. Clean pear, lemon zest, and a minerally snap make this Pinot Grigio a refreshing classic. It’s simple enough for a weekday dinner, refined enough for your most discerning guests. Pinot Grigio pairs well with Caesar salad, sushi, lemon chicken, or veggie platters. It’s great for office gatherings, gift exchanges, and casual dinners. It’s a great gift for the “easy drinker” who loves crisp, refreshing whites.
Toscana Vermentino “Massovivo”
Bright, coastal, and refreshingly aromatic. Think citrus blossoms, green apple, and a breezy salt-kissed finish. A lively Tuscan white that feels like sunshine in a glass. Massovio pairs well with seafood pasta, grilled shrimp, or Mediterranean appetizers. It makes for easy seafood nights, sunny afternoons, or holiday lunches and is the perfect gift for beach goers celebrating Christmas in the sun!
Umani Ronchi Verdicchio
A crisp, elegant Italian white from the Marche region, known for its bright citrus, green apple, and gentle almond finish. Light yet sophisticated, this Verdicchio offers refreshing acidity balanced with a soft, rounded texture that’s easy enough for a newcomer to adore but layered enough to satisfy a seasoned wine lover. Verdicchio is a wonderful addition to herb-roasted chicken, seafood risotto, grilled vegetables, fresh mozzarella, or classic antipasto. Bring this to a cheerful holiday lunch, seafood-focused gatherings, or any event where you want a fresh, lively white. Need a gift for the white-wine explorer who loves discovering refreshing, underrated Italian gems? This is your bottle!
Borgo Scopeto Borgonero
A bold Tuscan red with dark cherry, cocoa, and spice layered beautifully together. Structured yet silky. This is the kind of bottle that makes you sigh happily by the second sip. Scopeto pairs well with short ribs, lasagna, steak tips, or chocolate-dusted desserts. Bring this wine to holiday dinners or red-wine-focused tastings or give it to the red-wine loyalist who loves bold Tuscan flavors.
Floramundi Cerasuolo di Vittoria DOCG
Sicily’s only DOCG wine! Juicy cherry, raspberry, and subtle floral notes dance with soft tannins. It’s lively, friendly, and wonderfully food-friendly. Floramundi pairs well with roast turkey, glazed ham, charcuterie, or stuffed peppers. Bring it to festive family meals or Friendsgiving repeats. It’s the perfect hostess gift or anyone who enjoys a versatile table wine.
Kurtatsch Sonntaler Schiava Grigia
A light, silky red from the Dolomites with fresh red fruit, almond, and a touch of rose. This is the wine you pour when you want something easy but undeniably special. Our Kurtatsch pairs well with roast pork, charcuterie, smoked trout, or soft cheeses and is perfect for afternoon tastings or laid-back gatherings. Bring this to a friend who prefers elegant, low-tannin reds.
Costiglioni Chianti
Classic Chianti, the way your nonna would approve. Bright cherry, rustic earthiness, and that signature Sangiovese tang. Warm, comforting, and timeless. Chianti pairs well with pizza, spaghetti & meatballs, roast chicken, and aged cheeses. It’s a wonderful weeknight dinner companion or for holiday pasta parties. Send this to your friend who loves classics.
Tommasi Valpolicella Ripasso
The beloved “baby Amarone.” Rich black cherry and plum meet gentle spice and velvety texture from the Ripasso technique. Ripasso pairs well with beef stew, roasted duck, aged gouda, or mushroom dishes and is a crowd-pleaser for cozy evenings. Give this to the friend who wants “Amarone flavor” without the Amarone price.
Tommasi Le Fornaci Lugana
A beautifully smooth, lake-cooled white with peach, citrus, and a soft mineral finish. Balanced, elegant, and wonderfully refreshing. Lugana pairs well with grilled white fish, risotto, pesto dishes, or charcuterie boards. It’s perfect for holiday lunches, office parties, or seafood feasts out on the boat. Give this to white-wine fans with a taste for refined, gentle elegance.
Tommasi Amarone della Valpolicella
A majestic, full-bodied red made from partially dried grapes. Expect deep cherry, chocolate, fig, and warm spice. Amarone pairs well with prime rib, braised beef, aged cheeses, or dark chocolate desserts. It’s ideal for Christmas Eve feasts or celebratory winter dinners and makes a wonderful gift for the collector, the connoisseur, or that very special person. Amarone is powerful but refined. A true icon of Italian winemaking.
Argiano Solengo Rosso Toscano
A bold “Super Tuscan” masterpiece blending international grapes with Tuscan soul. Dark berries, tobacco, and polished tannins create an unforgettable, luxurious red. This wine pairs well with lamb chops, steak, truffle dishes, or rich pastas and is great for a fancy dinner party or milestone celebration. Send this to the friend who loves big, bold reds with pedigree.
Spellbound Prosecco
Bubbly, fruity, and endlessly fun. With notes of pear and white flowers, this Prosecco makes every moment feel like a celebration. Prosecco makes great mimosas and pairs well with aperitifs, fruit tarts, salty snacks, or brunch dishes. Lighten your holiday parties, brunch buffets, or make mimosas with flair. Send this to your life-of-the-party friend who sparkles year-round.
Pieropan Soave
A historic benchmark of Soave. Crisp, floral, and subtly nutty with citrus and mineral elegance. A beautiful introduction to this underrated Italian white. Pieropan pairs well with linguine with clams, chicken piccata, or caprese salad and makes a wonderful addition to light holiday lunches or gift-wrapping marathons. Share this with the white-wine explorer who loves discovering hidden gems.
Argiano Brunello di Montalcino
A regal, full-bodied Brunello with layers of cherry, leather, cedar, and spice. Long aging gives it depth and grace. This is one for savoring slowly. Brunello pairs well with osso buco, aged parmigiano, roasted lamb, or wild mushroom dishes. Bring this to Christmas dinner or a refined winter tasting experience. Brunello is a serious gift for the serious wine enthusiast in your life.
Renato Ratti Barolo “Marcenasco”
A classic, dignified Barolo showing rose, tar, cherry, and delicate spice. Powerful structure meets silky finesse. Nebbiolo at its finest. Barolo pairs well with rich truffle dishes, braised meats, porcini risotto, or hard cheeses. It’s the perfect accompaniment to a sophisticated dinner or New Year’s Eve pre-party tasting. Gift this to any Nebbiolo lover, or to the one you want to convert.
Maison Rare Champagne
Our only non-Italian wine! This true French Champagne is fresh, lively bubbles with orchard fruit, brioche, and a clean mineral core. Equal parts festive and refined. Champagne pairs well with caviar, fried chicken (yes, really!), and creamy cheeses. It’s perfect for toasting all of December’s joys, toasting achievements, anniversaries, and New Year’s Eve. This is the gift for anyone who deserves a splash of luxury.
Le Volte dell’Ornellaia
A smooth, approachable Tuscan blend from one of Italy’s most prestigious estates. Ripe red fruit, soft tannins, and a polished finish make it a joy for beginners and connoisseurs alike. Onellaia pairs best with grilled meats, tomato-based pasta, burgers, or roasted veggies and is a great companion at family dinners, casual gatherings, or weekday celebrations. Send this to the friend who loves great wine.
Celebrate the Season the Italian Way
As we wrap up this special December showcase, we invite you to slow down, savor good company, and raise a glass worthy of the season. Whether you’re hosting a festive feast, hunting for the perfect holiday gift, or simply looking to treat yourself after a long day, our curated wine collection brings together the very best of Italian craftsmanship and holiday cheer. Each bottle has a story, a personality, and a place at your table.
Pick up a bottle (or two) for your friends, family, or yourself this holiday season.
All Cinotti’s Italian Market Wines can be found at our Beach Location: 1523 Penman Road Jacksonville Beach, FL 32250