Amid laughter among friends and loved ones, and the anticipation of experiences that lay ahead, glasses clinked in the glow of New Year’s Eve. And much like an aging wine unfolds its characteristics, the chapters that will fill this New Year are soon to come. In collective excitement for the possibilities of 2024, here are 5 world wines that unfold in a symphony of sips and stories.

#1 – Hamel Family Wines 2018 Isthmus, Sonoma County, California

This velvety Bordeaux blend of Cabernet Sauvignon with Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and a touch of Petit Verdot revel in a rich tapestry of flavors, weaving notes of blackberry and cloves from aging in oak barrels. Its bold presence symbolizes the courage needed to embrace the unknown, much like our chapters in this New Year.

Worth noting is that the Hamel Family winery practices biodynamic viticultural methods, mindful in the responsible stewardship of the land. Price per bottle ~$90

#2 - Invivo X 2022 Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough, New Zealand

The Invivo X Sauvignon Blanc dances on the palate as if a refreshing prelude to the promises of renewal in the New Year. It’s white floral notes and grapefruit, citrusy and crisp palate hint at the freshness of beginnings, a reminder that each year brings a chance for growth and transformation.

Crafted from grapes harvested from a subregion of Marlborough, Awatere Valley was believed too cool to successfully grow Sauvignon Blanc. Invivo pushed those boundaries with a stunning wine of substance that gives this region a competitive edge when compared to Wairau Valley.

The accolades for this wine include 94 points from Wine Spectator, and 90 points from James Suckling, among much more. The celebrity behind the wine is Sex and the City series’ star, Sarah Jessica Parker, who joins the ranks of notables with a wine label.

Parker’s favorite food pairings for this wine are classical dishes such as lamb chops, casseroles, Chinese food, light cheeses and casual faire like pizza. Price per bottle $21.99

#3 – Chateau Langlet 2022 Sauvignon Blanc, Graves, Bordeaux, France

Each bottle of wine is a vessel much like the unfolding of a New Year, carrying the hopes, dreams, and resolutions of those who raised their glasses to bid farewell to the old and welcome the new. This Sauvignon Blanc of Chateau Langlet offers a pale straw pour of powerful pineapple and grapefruit on the palate, with enough structure courtesy of its touch of oak aging. Price per bottle $22.99

#4 – Château Larrivet Haut-Brion, 2018 Pessac-Léognan, Bordeaux, France

This wine, a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Cabernet Franc, is a masterpiece that encapsulates the essence of Bordeaux’s winemaking prowess. Its opulent bouquet sets the stage for a memorable tasting experience. The nose captivates with an interplay of dark fruit, perhaps blackberry and cassis with a hint of tobacco and touch of graphite. On the palate, it's a perfect harmony of flavors and mouthfeel. Its lush, velvety tannins cradle a cacophony of black cherry, plum, and dark chocolate notes. There’s a touch of spiciness that adds complexity, and the oak lends to its structure without overshadowing the fruit. Price per bottle $46.99

#5 - Château Doisy-Vedrines, 2019 Sauternes, France

Life is meant to be savored, and with this aperitif, it’s certain – one sip at a time. It’s a change of pace to opt for a glass of Sauternes, made from grapes harvested within the gentle slopes of Bordeaux. But this sweet and golden nectar, crafted from Semillon and a touch of Sauvignon Blanc, captivates palates of connoisseurs worldwide.

Affected by noble rot, Botrytis cinerea, this unique fungus imparts a distinct flavor to the grapes, transforming them into a lusciously sweet elixir. A dance between nature and craftsmanship, sweetness and acidity, a pour of Sauternes is like poetry in a glass. Price per bottle $57

Charlene Peters is author of "Travel Makes Me Hungry" and can be reached at siptripper@gmail.com.