Looking for inspiration for a holiday dinner party with matching wines? Or maybe you just want to give wine as a gift and would like some smart suggestions. No matter the angle, we’ve got you covered. Master Sommelier Madeline Triffon and Chef Jim Barnett just pulled into town with a sleigh full of gifts. Triffon and Barnett are colleagues at the Unique Restaurant group in Detroit, she as Wine Director and he as Corporate Executive Chef, and they have developed a great rapport when it comes to pairing food and wine.

First, unwrap Triffon’s Short Shopping List of affordable wines to buy now, organized by type. This is a wonderfully personal selection from a highly regarded and trusted palate. Then, open Barnett’s menu of wine-friendly dishes with matching wine types. Barnett shrewdly incorporates fruit, herbs or mushrooms into each recipe to forge deeper connections between the main ingredient and the wine. He also provides brief rationales explaining the thinking behind each dish. This is a chef who loves wine, and armed with his recipes and Triffon’s shopping list, you can be too.