BUBBLES For bubbly , try a grower Champagne ( produced by the same estate that grows the grapes ), such as Gimonnet , Marc Hebrart , Clouet , Egly Ouriet or A . Margaine . Another go-to would be Le Mesnil Grand Cru Champagne . Some great values that taste expensive include Francoise Montand sparkling white wine , Bergerie Crémant de Loire , or Trentapioli sparkling Aspirinio from Italy .

RED WINE If your family and friends like pinot noir , it ’ s hard to go wrong with an Oregon pinot noir , such as Belle Pente , Beaux Freres or Antiquum . And if you prefer bolder red wines , you might lean towards a Brunello di Montalcino , a Barolo from Vajra or a red Bordeaux from Pessac-Leognan .

WHITE WINE What goes with everything on the table ? I ’ d go for a medium-full bodied white wine with lots of flavor . Something like a Falanghina from Campania in southern Italy , Gavalas ‘ Natural Ferment ’ Assyrtiko from Greece ’ s Santorini Island or a local chardonnay . You can also seek out rare white Burgundy , like something from Corton , Pernand-Vergelesses or St . Aubin .

OTHER Having an interesting wine at a holiday gathering gets conversation going and creates memories for years to come . You might seek out an old vintage Madeira or Pedro Ximénez sherry , and then as you pour it , recite a few things that occurred that vintage on a global level , and also in your family . Or think outside of the box with a bottle of amaro such as Italian Nonino or a digestif like Barolo Chinato .

Begin with an engaging and intriguing statement about the toastee . It can be a little spicy , but it should never stray into the realm of off-color or inappropriate . Include a quick , positive example of his or her humor , kindness , bravery , skill or other attribute . Make sure it ’ s real and true . That not only makes it more personal , it also eliminates

the need for a script . You know the information .

Who are you to the toastee ? Assuming you don ’ t already know everyone at the gathering , introduce yourself by way of a personal recollection of his or her humor , kindness , bravery , skill or attribute . Again , make sure that it ’ s true .

Indicate an example how his or her humor , kindness , bravery , skill or attribute made an impact on you . It ’ s meaningful when someone shares their love and admiration for someone else in public , and makes everyone in the room feel good .

Offer the toastee praise or a well wish that in some way

includes a reference to his or her humor , kindness , bravery , skill or attribute .

Get everyone in the room involved and on their feet to thank the hosts and the actual clinking of glasses . It moves the whole group from audience to actual participants in the experience .