Monthly Archives: December 2014

Every year at this time, many people struggle with the dilemma of what to toast with at midnight on New Year’s Eve.  There are several choices depending on style and of course cost.  Some people like a classic Brut (driest of dry) from Champagne France while others like a very sweet Asti from Italy.  Others opt for something in-between like a semi or off dry sparkling wine Prosecco confusingly referred to as “extra dry”.  For those in this latter category looking for something different than the “go to” Prosecco or Asti, I recommend the Jaillance  Cuvee Imperiale.

For my third and final installment discussing Holiday wines and films, I have left my favorite Christmas film until last. It is the 1951 version of A Christmas Carol with the remarkable Alistair Sim as Ebenezer Scrooge. I have watched nearly every version of this story ( the Mr. Magoo cartoon version that you Baby Boomers may remember) but nothing touches Alistair Sims version. He is the most convincing as a mean old miser, a vulnerable and fragile old man fearing for his life, and as the giddy, jubilant survivor on Christmas morning.

One of my favorite Christmas time films is a somewhat obscure gem called Holiday Affair which stars Robert Mitchum and Janet Lee. Although it seems odd to cast Robert Mitchum in a seasonal, romantic comedy, the big guy is actually very effective as the independent, down on his luck department store clerk. 

Much of the magic I associate with the Christmas season is steeped in nostalgia and I remember the Christmases of my childhood with great fondness. I still love old carols and songs from the likes of Robert Goulet, Andy Williams, Tony Bennett and Rosemary Clooney. I also love to watch classic Christmas films and old TV shows.