You know the feeling: even before the New Year's Eve doughnuts are gone, the big question starts to gnaw... what should we actually drink on New Year's Eve?
For us, Vera & Casper, this is an annual ritual. A sort of wine relay, but without the running, with bubbles and fun, lots of fun.
Sit back, because we're taking you through our personal "Cellar Countdown" for December 31st.
We're kicking off with local bubbles
Nothing sets the tone for a festive evening quite like the first cork popping. For us, that honor goes to the Raarberg Brut from Domein Holset.
A blend of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, but delightfully Dutch. Fresh, crisp, and a little mischievous. Exactly how New Year's Eve should be.
We always pour it a little too enthusiastically... but hey, if there's one evening when bubbles are allowed to overflow, it's this one.
Then we move on to wine that warms us up
When the first round of firework test-bangs sounds and everyone has had their first drink, we switch to wine. We keep it simple, but good.
Chardonnay from Olcaviana
The Chardonnay is not aged in wood, keeping it pure, round, and refreshing. Thanks to the warm climate, you get that extra bit of ripe fruit, but the winemakers ensure sufficient freshness and balance.
Pinot Gris & Pinot Blanc Barrique from De Kleine Schorre
De Kleine Schorre's Pinot Gris & Pinot Blanc Barrique is an elegant, rich, and layered white wine that demonstrates how refined Dutch wine can be. On the nose, you'll find ripe pear, apricot, peach, and a hint of citrus, beautifully interwoven with subtle notes of vanilla, toast, and light spice from the oak aging.
Then the moment suprême
With just one minute to go until midnight, we gather our glasses. The lights are dimmed a little, everyone counts down, champagne corks at the ready, you know the atmosphere.
We toast to the new year with the Cava Brut from Leonor de Carrera. An elegant, sparkling bubble with a classic Spanish signature.
Why we chose these wines
We get that question often. Our answer is always the same: Because New Year's Eve feels like a mini-journey. You start light, energetic, and joyful. You change tempo along the way. And you end with something sparkling that opens the year as if a spotlight is on you.
Additionally, because you often drink a bit more than usual, it's a shame to open that one expensive bottle at 00:00. After all, you won't taste it completely as it should be.
Do you want to impress the people around you? Then we also have a very nice option: Dom Pérignon Vintage Limited Edition Legacy 2008
Cheers to a new year!
Wherever you are on December 31st, on a rooftop terrace in Delft, in a small apartment with friends, or at your parents' house with a plate of oliebollen, we wish you a new year full of warmth, beautiful bubbles, a soft finish, and most of all, lots of fun.
