Local Wine and Liquor Sellers Give Tips for the Holidays

Looking for a bottle of wine or spirits to take to a holiday party? Need a wine that would pair perfectly with your holiday dinner? 

Consider tapping the knowledge of many of our area liquor merchants.  

Andy Johnson is owner of, a small yet well stocked store that is intimate and warm. 

“Prosecco is a light, festive bubbly sparkling wine from Italy,” Johnson said. “It’s a great welcoming cocktail and is not too expensive, which is why it’s so popular. For a Christmas dinner that features a beef dish, a Cabernet of 2007 vintage from the Napa Valley would work well.” 

According to Johnson, a Cabernet satisfying that year and vintage can be found for $14.99 and up. For a dinner featuring poultry as the main course, Johnson says the perfect pairing might be Bourgogne Blanc , white burgundy, or a Sancerre, a white from the Loire Valley in France, for lighter dishes.

 on Fifth Avenue is a family owned and operated business in Pelham and has been a village fixture since 1986. Lois Soccodato, the store’s owner,  cited some trends and buying habits during this holiday season.

“Every year during the holidays, our most popular spirit always seems to be Old New England Egg Nog,” said Soccodato. “It has whiskey, rum and bourbon.”

Soccodato said wine gifts are always a hit as well. Another trendy item on the shelves this year isthe controversial Whipahol. Whipahol is a whipped cream infused with as much as 18.25 percent alcohol. According to Salon.com, that is the equivalent of 3 beers in one can of Whipahol. 

“It’s been selling somewhat,” said Soccadato.

Whipahol comes in an aerosol can with flavors like spiced vanilla, strawberry colada, chocolate mint, and hazelnut espresso.

“The best thing about this product is that, because it does not require refrigeration, it can be locked up at home if necessary,” advised Soccadato. 

Kay’s Wine & Liquors, located at 851 Bronx River Rd., which is located in a college town, has sold a lot of low and mid end products during the holidays. One of their wine recommendations is the Cavit Pino Grigio to pair with an Italian dinner, seafood and poultry. You can reach Kay’s Wine at 914 338-7496.

A recent addition to the list of stores selling wines and spirits is, which is adjacent to ShopRite in New Rochelle. The store, which  is stocked with just about every wine and spirit imaginable, occupies part of the space where Costco was housed. In the wine and spirits business for many years, Weyman is very familiar with party practices held during the holidays.

“Vodka is the first spirit a host runs out of during any party,” said Anthony Weyman, the stores general manager. “Any vodka would be a nice gift to give a host.”  

Just up the road from Discount Wines and Liquors and next door to Stop&Shop is. Larry Fehrenbaker, the store’s owner, said Adult Chocolate Milk or any of the other milk-based spirits, like Bailey’s, is good gift for hostesses. For guys, he recommends single malt scotch or single barrel bourbon as a gift offering.

 in Scarsdale, which is a family-owned wine and spirits company, has been in business for 67 years. It has one of the country’s largest wine selections. Some popular purchases there have been domestic sparklers like Roederer Estate, and Blanc de Noirs wines.  

“We’re seeing a resurgence in the popularity of champagne,” said Brian Mullaney, the store’s general manager. “Since the last week in November, the bottles have been flying off of the shelves.”