The holidays are nearly here and Guy Lelarge, owner of Valencia Wine Co., knows Santa Clarita Valley residents want to put good wine in front of holiday guests.

"One of the best parts of any holiday celebration is the wine," Lelarge said.

The fifth annual Valencia Wine Co. annual holiday wine tasting was held Sunday at the Oaks Grille at the Tournament Player's Club in Valencia.

More than 100 fine wines were poured, said Lelarge.

"We did some new things this year including a premiere sake table and wines from the Republic of Georgia region of the former Soviet Union," he said. "I fell in love with these wines, they are inexpensive and there are interesting varietals that you don't find elsewhere that are indigenous to Georgia."

Greg Alonzo, regional sales manager for Terrell Wines, said in Russia the people celebrate with Georgian wine because of the quality.

"These are considered the oldest wines in the world, 7,000 years old," Alonzo said. "I kind of stumbled into these wines and they became my passion."

Terrell Wines imports the wines and served six Georgian wines ranging in price from $12.99 to $26.99. The wines included a 2006 Milani Katsitelli, 2007 Teliani Valley Tsolikouri, 2007 Teliani Valley Saperavi, 2007 Teliani Valley Kindsmarauli, 2003 Vinoterra Sapoeravi and a 2007 Bagrationi Reserve.

The afternoon event attracted more than 200 guests who sampled wines from 18 suppliers.

"We have a good mix. I never repeat the same wines," Lelarge said. "We do different things every year."

Among those attending were Southern Wine and Spirits offering tastings from 14 different high- end wines which ranged in price from a 2008 Firestone Sauvignon Blanc ($16.99 a bottle) to a 2005 Franciscan "Magnificent ($65.99).

Also on hand was Sol Wine distribution which offered up five wines including a 2007 Kohler Winery Sauvignon Blanc ($19.99) and a 2006 Christopher Canyon Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon ($33.99).

Vin West International brought guests seven wines to taste including a 2008 Lava Cap Reserve Chardonnay ($22.99) and a 2006 Schild Estate Shiraz ($35.99).

Truman Wine's four offerings included a 2007 Bear Bottom Creek Syrah ($15.99) and a 2007 Peirano Estates Viognier ($25.99).
Chateau Direct - France poured eight wines including a Candines Cremant de Bourgogne NV ($26.99) and a 2006 Coy Sauternes ($45.99).

Southern Starz - Australia also offered eight wines including a 2008 Nugan "Vision" Chardonnay ($16.99) and an Oliverhill "Jimmy Section" Shiraz ($48.99).

E&J Gallo offered four wines including LaMarca Prosecco NV ($19.99) and a 2007 MacMurray Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir ($31.99).

Wine Warehouse offered a table replete with almost a dozen wines including a 2008 Palmina Dolcetto ($26.99) and a 2007 Forman Estate Chardonnay ($50.99).

Cosentino Winery of Napa Valley brought 10 wines including a 2006 The Merlot ($16.99) and a 2004 CE2V "Secret Clone" Cabernet Sauvignon ($196.99).

Classic Wines poured eight wines including a 2006 Chateau LaGarosse Bordeaux ($24.99) and a 2006 Chateau Candale St. Emilion Grand Cru ($47.99).

Golden State Wines offered six wines including a 2008 Della Rocca Pinot Grigio ($14.99) and a 2006 Loring Pinot Noir Russell Vineyard ($34.99).

American Wines and Spirits brought five wines including a 2005 Curtis Heritage Cuvee Santa Barbara ($18.99) and a 2004 Kuleto Estate Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley ($77.99).

Vintage Point poured 10 wines including a 2007 Luna Vineyards Pinot Grigio Napa Valley ($14.99) and a 2007 Layer Cake Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley ($34.99).

TGIC/Valencia Wine Co. offered 10 wines including a 2007 Mandolin Riesling "Monterey" ($14.99) and a 2006 Crescendo Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley ($58.99).

Four wines from Franklin wines included a 2006 Chateau Trocard Gold Label ($14.99) and Dampierrre Ambassadeurs NV ($49.99).

Mosaic Wines' four offerings included a 2007 Corvidae "The Rook" ($15.99) and a 2008 Owen Roe Abbot's Table ($27.99.)

A first at the holiday tasting was the sake table, Friends in High Places, which offered up a dozen fine sake experiences including the Banzai Bunny Blueberry Sparkling Junmai Shu ($11.99).

"Did you taste the legend of the Stars Tokubetsu Junmai?" asked guest Darlene Gandara. The sake, ($38.99), reportedly left guests thinking they had tasted a liquid "bananas foster."

Gandara and her husband, Robert, said they have attended past Holiday Wine Tastings and enjoy meeting new people at the event.

"You walk around, taste some wine and then stop and chat with other people and compare notes," said Darlene Gandara.

In addition to the wine, the event featured passed hors d'oeuvres and a cheese and dessert table.

"People get to buy great wines at great prices at this event," Lelarge said. "It was an idea I had when I opened Valencia Wine Co. and it caught on. I've tried to keep this an upscale event. "

For more information and assistance with holiday wine selection visit Valencia Wine Co. 24300 Town Center Drive, Valencia, www.valenciawine.com, (661) 254-9300.