Kippy & Buffy: the 2021 collection.

Happy holidays to one and all. It's been another "intriguing" season on and off the field, and hopefully everyone has a safe and sound New Year's that turns out negative in a positive way. While the Bronco Mendenhall era makes way for the Tony Elliot era in Charlottesville, the Tailgating Tandem of Kippy & Buffy toast what was (the 2019 Coastal Division, four bowl appearances, and that win over Virginia Tech) while wishing the new coach well (with an eye towards next November's trip to Blacksburg).

What I love about college football and wine is that every game and bottle offer up something a little different, they're great conversation pieces, and our tastes are never static-they're always changing on one level. If you enjoy wine I hope you'll try some of the ones listed below, and in the upcoming offseason---pandemic pending---you'll be able to get out to Virginia and enjoy some tastings. For me a relaxing day off I-66, Route 7, or 231 is the perfect balance for an autumn and winter of college football/basketball. Toasting to 2022...

Here are weekly excerpts from "Presto's Picks" on wtop.com this fall:

September 4- William & Mary.

Kippy & Buffy have enjoyed the recent success like a fine wine.?My favorite tailgating pals traditionally enjoy white wine for non-conference games and red for ACC matchups (naturally they get sparkling during the bye week).?They’ll kick off 2021 by staying in the commonwealth: 868 Vineyards (named after its elevation) 2019 Altezza White is 50% Sauvignon Blanc and 50% Viognier. “On the nose, citrus and toasty oak notes dominate with floral elements of body powder and perfume,” the vineyard website describes. “Clear on the finish, the Altezza White lingers with the suggestion of citrus and spice.” They're also breaking out the gorgonzola with multi-grain crisps.

September 11- Illinois.

Kippy & Buffy are dealing with an early kickoff and a morning tailgate. They're going to enjoy smoked gouda on multi-grain crackers while enjoying a bottle of Linden Vineyards 2018 Village Chardonnay. The tasting notes read: "This is a slowly revealing wine that defines restraint and harmony. Its aromas have a quiet floral perfume. The balance and seamlessness on the palate are close to ethereal."

September 18- at North Carolina.

A trip to Kenan Memorial Stadium means Kippy & Buffy are reunited with their UNC tailgating pals Meredith & Peyton (truthfully one has forgotten which one is which-they're both family names). ACC play means red wine for the first time this fall, and they're going to enjoy the September air with an Oregon Pinot Noir. Sokol Blosser Winery first planted grapes fifty years ago, and their 2017 Blossom Ridge Estate Pinot Noir "smells of spring flowers and lavender. Soft tannins, fresh red fruits and orange zest are on the palate with a soft cedar finish." Liquour.com recommends you pair this wine with lamb chops.

September 24- Wake Forest.

Kippy & Buffy also have a tight turnaround after last Saturday night's tailgate. While Buffy isn't a fan of the Friday night games because she feels that night belongs to the high schools (she's a big fan of "Friday Night Lights": the book, movie, and TV show), Kippy's not a fan because it often means he'll be dragged into an afternoon of apple picking. They are huge fans of Orrin Swift and The Prisoner and this week they're going to enjoy a bottle of their 2019 Saldo Zinfandel: "The entry is rich, full, and scintillating," per the web site tasting notes. "The palate is mouthwatering and smooth with a hint of chocolate. The finish is voluptuous with soft, velvety tannins." Even with the corresponding Margarita Pizza, after allowing 35 points in the second half to UNC do we want another soft finish?

September 30-at Miami.

Kippy & Buffy know the season is at a crossroads, and they're going to double down at their tailgate this week with a bottle of Chateau O'Brien 2013 Vintner's Reserve. Just like they believe in a balanced offense on the field, a balanced red will be in their glasses: 34% Tannat, 33% Petit Verdot, and 33% Malbec. This full-bodied wine was aged in French Oak barrels for 24 months. "Big nose with licorice and cherry. Body is tart red fruit, black cherry, and smoke," a review on cellartracker.com reads.?"Deep red fruit, cranberries, cherries, leather, some black pepper."?

October 9- Louisville.

Kippy & Buffy's definition of dual threat is properly pairing their tailgating wine with cheese, and in a salute to the students at the university they're opening a Textbook. The 2019 Textbook Merlot from Napa Valley offers up "intense aromas of ripe plum, mocha , and allspice marry with a generous mid-palate of rich flavors of black stone fruits and a balanced finish with full, extracted, almost sweet tannins." While the wine and Havarti cheese with butter crackers travel well, they're hopeful the defense travels as well.

October 16- Duke.

Kippy & Buffy know that sometimes the answer is obviouis, and for their tailgate against the ultimate "bro" school break out a bottle from Breaux Vineyards (from nearby Purcellville, VA). The 2016 Petit Verdot features "intense aromas of blackberry and licorice are joined on the pallet by leather that lingers on the pallet." Paired with Gruyere on Urban Oven crackers of course. But can the Cavaliers' Coastal Division contention linger into November?

October 23- at Georgia Tech.

Kippy and Buffy know that a while a sixth win is nice as it means bowl eligibility, a fourth conference win keeps it in contention for the Coastal. They also know the evening air in October gets a tiny bit chilly, so this week they're tailgating with a bottle of Bouza 2018 Tannat Reserva from Uruguay paired with Parmesan cheese on Triscuits . The "reduced nose is syrupy and rich, while this feels lush but with healthy core acidity." Wine Enthusiast writes. "Blackened toast, licorice and peppercorn flavors sit atop Port-like blackberry and cassis."

October 30- at BYU.

Kippy and Buffy are on track for another awesome tailgating season, and a non-conference game in the Rockies means they're going with a bottle of white that wins out west. Barboursville's 2019 Vermentino Reserve captured the Platinum Medal at the San Diego International Wine Competition this year while earning a rating of 94 points. "Vivid citurusy aromatics with a deep, dry palate of sustained structure," their website reads. "Excellent body, lingering minerality and finesse of finish."

November 6- Bye Week.

Virginia (6-3, 4-2 ACC) is idle, but that won't stop Kippy & Buffy from enjoying their weekend as they use the Cavaliers' bye to shutter up the cottage in the Outer Banks. And with a second straight Coastal Division title in their sights, the open week means they're going to enjoy a bottle of Nicolas Feuillate Brut Blue Label Champagne. "Rich and creamy, showing the dried fruit, nut and spice notes of fruitcake, with lemon meringue, quince and honey flavors," the tasting notes read. "Clean citrusy acidity integrates beautifully and provides an elegance to this refined Champagne." Break out the Brie and Camembert...and we'll see you next week as Notre Dame comes to Charlottesville.

November 13- Notre Dame.

Kippy & Buffy are back for the home stretch of tailgates, and a November non-conference game means they are looking for a white wine with a little warmth. They're going to enjoy a bottle of d'Arenberg the Hermit Crab 2018 Viognier-Marsanne. The Australian wine tastes "Effusive, juicy and ripe, with peach, apricot and melon flavors that are generous and plump," the winery website reads. "Floral and spice notes emerge on the finish. Shows terrific harmony and persistence."

November 20- at Pitt.

Kippy & Buffy have their eyes on the prize as well. They're going to tailgate this week with a winner as Josh Cellars was named the 2021 American Winery of the Year by Wine Enthusiast. The 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon "has flavors of blackberry, toasted hazelnut and cinnamon, complemented by hints of vanilla and toasted oak," according to its website. Break out the aged cheddar and Bremner Wafers.

November 27- Virginia Tech.

Kippy & Buffy?are capping off another great year of tailgating with a Bordeaux at their disposal, feeling that their choice of Chateau Lynch-Bages two years ago was a factor in ending a 15-game losing streak in the series. Last year’s Chateau Beychevelle failed, so they’re going with a?2015 Chateau Leoville-Poyferré. It is a blend of 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 26% Merlot, 6% Petit Verdot, 3% Cabernet Franc and “displays a bright, clear garnet color with purple highlights,” according to the winery’s website. “Seductive notes of black fruit burst from the glass, expressing a nice concentration of youthfulness.” But as with any Bordeaux there is more: “Plump and dense on the palate, the tannins have a generous, creamy structure. Hints of gingerbread and nutmeg complement the intense fruit. A remarkable finish emerges with elegance and freshness.”

December 3-Conference Championship Weekend.

Kippy & Buffy had Charlotte on their minds as recently as one month ago as Virginia controlled its path to the ACC Championship Game before the loss at Pitt Nov. 20. They're still planning on going (good friends Henry & Hildy live there) and instead of celebrating a return to Bank of America Stadium they'll be saluting six fine years of their program under the stewardship of Bronco Mendenhall. And they're going to go out with a South African Pinotage: specifically a 2019 bottle of Southern Right: "intense classically styled, clay-grown wine, packed with complex berry fruit, beautiful tannins and subtle wood spice," the winery's website reads. When dealing with wood spice, always err on the side of subtlety. Cheers.