Santa Assist: Stuff Stockings with 375ml Bottles

My husband is incredibly hard to shop for. He has particular taste, buys himself what he needs when he needs it, and considers himself a minimalist, so has no sentimentality for stuff just for the sake of stuff. But he likes booze, and that’s where I can always hit a home run.

Even if your partner makes you a long list of exactly what to get and where to get it, it’s never a bad thing to find a surprise bottle of bubbly in your stocking. And that’s where 375s come in. Half the size of a full bottle, they comprise about two glasses—perfect for you to split with the recipient (call it a Santa tax?). Plus, they’re generally ready to drink earlier than their 750ml counterparts, so there’s no excuse to not call for bottoms’ up, then and there! Pick out two or three wee bottles and call it a day for stocking duty.

We have plenty of these smaller bottles on our shelves right now, including wines from under-the-radar direct import producers to big names in Napa, Champagne, Oregon, and Bordeaux…You can even get a half bottle of Krug! Here are a few of our favorites:

Billecart-Salmon "Brut Reserve" Champagne (375ml) $26.99
Billecart is a perennially popular Champagne House that has well earned its reputation and the 375 is a great way to sample a Grand Marque producer without breaking the bank. The beauty of the Billecart-Salmon Brut Reserve is that displays gorgeous body from lees aging, while maintaining elegant bubbles and clean, fresh flavors. It’s a very satisfying Champagne.

Ariston Aspasie Blanc de Blancs Brut Champagne (375ml) $18.99
Ariston Aspasie is one of our oldest and most well-loved direct import Champagne producers—we’ve been working with Paul Vincent and Caroline Ariston for nearly 20 years! The wine is sourced from a steep, east-facing vineyard called the Goutte d’Or, a short walk from their own house. Notes from Gary Westby, Champagne Buyer: “With a white gold color, a vigorous bead of tiny bubbles, subtle baguette toast, a creamy mouthfeel and a long dry finish, I can’t ask for more in a glass of Champagne. Cinnamon says that each bottle of this is always better than the last and she is right. It is my desert island bottle.”

2018 Domaine des Côtes Blanches Sancerre Rosé (375ml) $9.99
This rosé of Pinot Noir is always a standout for its fuller body and bright berry flavors, plus minerally, crisp finish. Nicolas Millet is the fifth generation in his family to run this estate, and, since 2008, he’s moved their farming toward organic practices. The Côtes Blanches refers to the stony white soils found on the slopes of Sancerre in the heart of France.

2016 Domaine Drouhin Dundee Hills Pinot Noir (375ml) $21.95
After 100 years in Burgundy, the Drouhin family has learned a thing or two about making Pinot. Since branching out to the Willamette Valley 25+ years ago, their Pinot and Chardonnay have been benchmarks for the region. Their Dundee Hills Pinot, all estate fruit, is supple and silky from an excellent vintage in Oregon.

2017 Caymus Vineyards Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon (375ml) $44.99
The 2017 Caymus is very limited and will be snatched up soon! If you’re shopping for a California Cab lover, this is a surefire hit. It’s rich,creamy, and layered with cocoa and cassis flavors—a hedonist’s dream.