'Tis the season for the 12 wines of Christmas!
The sweet buzz of the holidays is quickly approaching, and if you are a wine drinker or enjoy delicious drinks, you might already be thinking about the stellar glasses of wine you get to enjoy!
But, how can we bring wine into the mindful moments of the holidays? As gifts, as momentous treats, or even mini glasses...
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Sometimes during the holidays, when family and friends are at every corner, we can overindulge. Yet this is such a perfect time to be mindful and connect deeper with those around us...
I love the holidays, especially when I am drinking high-quality wine. This is the one time a year I get to put on a beautiful dress, stellar make up, and pour myself elegant, mind-blowing wine.
Honestly, what can be better. Luckily, we have the 12 Wines of Christmas that come in two forms. First, the 12 wines of Christmas mindful tastings and 12 Wines of Christmas DIY advent calendar and bottle combo that is to die for!
This post is all about the 12 wines of Christmas!
12 Wines of Christmas
Christmas Wine Ideas: Mindful Tastings
The holidays are my favorite time to drink amazing wines. It is, roughly, the only time of year that I feel delighted to spend good money on a bottle and create a whole "thing" around it.
Though, it can be challenging during the holidays to find mindful moments, especially when there is drinking involved!
So, how can we combine those two?!
Vinebox 12 Wines of Christmas Tasting
The BEST and simplest way to engage in a 12 nights of Christmas, but wine version, is Vinebox's seasonal wine tasting!
I had no idea this existed, but when I got it in the mail it was a game-changer. Wines from all over the world and in 100 mL tubes that are hand-picked by expert sommeliers.
Say less!
If you are gifting, the 12 nights is great as a gift. But, if you are interested in doing it with a partner then the 24 night of Christmas will be your go-to!
You'll get the "bold collection" and the "bright collection" to sip side by side with your partner.
A simple way to bring in mindful drinking into the holiday season.
My husband and I loved our Vinebox tasting. It was enough to really enjoy the wine, but not a whole bottle (which can be quite a lot of wine for two people in one sitting)!
Though, if you really do like the wine it can challenging to find it again to purchase the bottle. Luckily, they are great at keeping the wines interesting so you are always surprised with something new!
The only downside to the 12 nights of Christmas tasting is you either do it alone, or get the 24 nights of Christmas to enjoy with a partner. Even if you do gift it, it's only one tasting per night for one person, so it's difficult to share.
I would recommend to add in mindful prompts to each day (see Step 4 below) through a card. Write a prompt for them to ponder each day to bring in a mindful moment to their wine tasting. Plus, it adds a personal touch!
12 Wines of Christmas DIY Calendar
Maybe you are not interested in the pre-made 12 wines of Christmas, and instead want to test out a 12 wines of Christmas DIY!
I have created a four step process of making an unforgettable 12 wines of Christmas, perfect for gifting or for enjoying with a spouse, partner, friend, roommate, etc.
Step 1: Connect with a partner
The 12 wines of Christmas is perfect to do with a friend or to create a gift for someone this season. The tastings are half-bottles, which would come to one glass each (for two people).
So, if you are looking to do this with your husband, these half-bottles might be a better option than the 12 wines of Christmas tasting from Vinebox!
Step 2: Choose your wines!
I have drafted a quick little guide with half-bottle wines. Of course, you can choose any wines you desire. Though, each wine below has great professional ratings, high quality, and from around the world to give you a top-tier wine experience!
12 wines of Christmas suggestions:
- French Chenin Blanc 2023
- French Sauvignon Blanc 2023
- Napa Valley Chardonnay 2023
- Champagne, France Sparkling Wine
- Champagne, France Sparkling Rosé
- Italian Red Blend
- Napa Valley Pinot Noir 2021
- Nebbiolo from Italy 2021
- French Red Blend 2023
- Napa Valley Zinfandel 2020
- Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2018
- Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2020
These are honestly making me thirsty! A lovely blend of whites, red, and ending with the decadent Napa Valley cabernet sauvignons of two separate vintages to get a different flavor of each.
For white wine, you want to aim for wines made within the last 2 years. After two years, the floral and vibrant flavors and aromas tend to dissipate. So, the earlier it was made the "fresher" the white will be!
Step 3: Set up your calendar
You can set up your calendar in a few different ways. First, you can take out a sheet of paper/your planner and write in what wines you want on which day.
Second, you can number each wine with a sharpie, or use these wine tags to number each wine for the day you want to drink it! Make sure to write down the name of the wine, the style, when you drank it, and how you liked it! Learn how to do that here.
Unlike the Vinebox tasting, these wine tastings are easier to find the bottles if you really enjoy one of them!!
Step 4: Add mindful prompts to each day
Either attached with cute twine or written in your planner, make a prompt or reflection question for each day.
You and your partner can answer each question over a glass of wine to have mindful moments together. My husband and I enjoy these type of questions over wine, it sparks the best conversations.
Here are some examples:
- What are you most grateful for this year? And why
- What is one thing you appreciate in your partner/friend/etc?
- How was one way you and your partner/friend showed up for each other recently? Or if you are with your family, how have you shown up for them?
- What are you grateful for today, and why?
- What was your favorite memory from this year?