Happy 2025! It’s time for new beginnings, wine lovers. The start of the year is like the start of the day; it’s time to set the intentions for what we want 2025 to be. But before we get into the serious stuff, let’s begin with something we can all agree we need more of this year – brunch.
Hosting this popular mid-morning meal at home is a chance to showcase your culinary flair, but let’s not forget the secret to elevating this affair: the perfect wines. Sure, mimosas are a classic, and Bloody Marys can quench the thirst for something savory, but we’ll always need some wine. From crisp whites that shine with fresh salads to bubbly rosés that beg to be paired with a salmon Crostini, the right bottle can turn your brunch table into a sensory celebration. You really don’t need to go far to make this meal a weekly treat when you have the right wine at home. Let’s make a goal to upgrade our brunch game in 2025 with these bottles.
FALL IN LOVE WITH AN ITALIAN ROSÉ
Famiglia Pasqua 11 Minutes Rosé Trevenezie IGT, 2023
It’s hard to find more romance in a bottle than a wine born in the same place as the eternal lovers, Romeo and Juliet. However, there is no tragedy in enjoying 11 Minutes Rosé by the Pasqua family out of Verona with your brunch frittata.
A most unusual rosé blend of corvina, trebbiano of Lugana, syrah, and carmenère from the stunning Lake Garda area, this wine derives its name from the length of time the juice stays in contact with the skins of the grapes in order to make a light pink hue from dark-skinned grapes. It might also indicate the approximate time between pouring the first glass, and the need to retrieve another bottle to open after your guests have devoured their share of this fruity, yet pleasantly complex rosé. Always a crowd-pleaser, the Pasqua family showcases casual sophistication throughout their portfolio of wines, especially with this fresh and elegant everyday rosé.
(Photo Courtesy Ram's Gate Winery )
Ram's Gate Winery makes a lovely pinot blanc from estate-grown grapes to complement any at-home meal.
$19.99 at Total Wine
BRANCH OUT WITH THIS PINOT BLANC FROM SONOMA
Ram’s Gate Winery Pinot Blanc, 2022
Put down your usual pinot grigio and pick up this estate pinot blanc from Ram’s Gate Winery in Sonoma. No, they are not the same wines, but think of pinot blanc as grigio’s richer, rounder cousin with more texture and complexity.
This pinot blanc is a delightful choice for elevating your at-home brunch. This crisp and refreshing wine offers vibrant notes of citrus, green apple, and a touch of floral elegance, making it a versatile companion for a variety of dishes. Its bright acidity cuts through rich options like Eggs Benedict, while its subtle fruitiness enhances lighter fare like fresh fruit salads and goat cheese tarts. With a balance of freshness and complexity, Ram’s Gate Pinot Blanc is the perfect bottle to impress your guests with something a little different while perfectly complementing your brunch spread.
$39 at MrDWine.com
(Photo: Gérard Bertrand)
French Cancan wines will add a bit of bubbly fun to your next home brunch.
DO A LITTLE DANCE WITH THE BUBBLY FRENCH CANCAN
(Photo: Gérard Bertrand)
"French Cancan isn't just a wine; it's a celebration in every bottle," says Gérard Bertrand.
Gérard Bertrand French Cancan Wines
Gérard Bertrand’s new sparkling French Cancan wines bring an ideal balance of elegance and fun to your brunch table. With lively bubbles that dance around the glass, these wines come in three styles – white (chardonnay, pinot noir, grenache blanc), rosé (chardonnay, cinsault, pinot noir), and orange (chardonnay, grenache blanc, viognier). They each offer a touch of sparkling tradition from the South of France and incredible versatility to drink anywhere. French Cancan wines pair beautifully with classic brunch dishes like smoked salmon, fresh pastries, and creamy cheeses, while their vibrant personality makes them ideal for sipping solo. Whether toasting with friends or enjoying a leisurely meal with family, these bubbly bottles add a festive touch to any at-home brunch.
$25.99-$32.99 at Wine.com
SIP AND SAVOR A SPANISH RED
(Photo Courtesy Bodegas Montecillo)
Viña Monty Garnacha Reserva 2016 shows the potential this grape has for aging, and will delight those who have the opportunity to enjoy it.
Bodegas Montecillo Viña Monty Garnacha Reserva, 2016
Because brunch doesn’t always have to be light fare, you might want to include something a little bolder on the table to create some contrast and add some depth to your delicious offerings. Viña Monty Garnacha is a juicy and approachable red wine that adds intensity and vitality to any meal hosted at home. With its vibrant flavors of ripe red berries, hints of spice, and a smooth, velvety finish, this 100% garnacha pairs beautifully with heartier brunch dishes like chorizo frittatas, roasted vegetables, or mushroom quiche. Add a plate of Cinco Jotas ham to any brunch table for an extra special combination with this wine. Its balanced structure and food-friendly character make it an enjoyable choice for elevating any meal, especially one shared with great friends to start a brand new year.
$90 at finding.wine
MIAMI WINE EVENTS AND CLASSES
If you want to learn more about wine in 2025, don’t miss these Miami wine events and classes. On Jan. 11, Florida Wine Academy is hosting the WSET Level 1 in Wines certification course, and on Jan. 18, they will host the WSET Level 1 in Wines Luxury Class. You can take WSET Level 2 in Wines certification through Florida Wine Academy on Jan. 24 and 25. On Jan. 16, they will host an “Exploring Volcanic Wines” tasting at 305 Wines in South Miami. For more information and registration details for classes and tastings, visit FloridaWineAcademy.com
Vinya will host several events in January, such as “Wine Bar Takeover: Burgundy Under the Radar” on Tues., Jan. 14 at Vinya Table in Coral Gables, and “All Access: Ronchi di Cialla Through the Years” at Vinya Wine & Market in Key Biscayne on Thurs., Jan. 23. For more information and registration details, check out vinyawine.com
Jacqueline Coleman is a wine and travel writer and Star Wine List’s ambassador in Miami. She is a contributor to Luxury Guide USA magazine, a regular guest host on Linda Gassenheimer’s “Food, News & Views” podcast, and founder of BYOBMiami.com.