What can I say about my friends Jane and José?

That they're beautiful and brilliant? That they love salsa and acid jazz and chachacha? And me.

Enough to have offered up a gift of Jo Malone for Hannukah plus their wine picks for the New Year.

(Did I mention Jose is a sommelier who started out as a paramedic? And Jane a pastry chef who first trained as a painter and sculptor? Or that both of them possess the supreme gift of gab and a talent for slackitude? Making them the perfect pair to have to your next party. SO hang onto their email addresses, 'kay?)

José states plainly and with little equivocation that, if stranded on a deserted highway shoulder in Dallas en route to a New Year's Eve party, there are two ultimate wines he'd like to have at hand to ease the pain:

First, he'd start with the Rosso Doc Saussicaia 2001, an 85/15 blend of Cabernet and Merlot from the Saussicaia Estate in Tuscany, a legendary estate also known for its horses--and its really swank Web Site.

Then, just about when the tow truck showed up, he'd pop open a magnum of Dom Perignon and serve it around with plenty of juice glasses. Salud.

Now, for the rest of us, here are some potable little beauties for the kind of cash I can pay:*

Hanna Sauvignon Blanc from Hanna Winery in the Russian River Valley in California (expect to pay as little as $12 for the 2004, which earned 91 points and boasts hints of grapefruit and melon, but don't expect your bottle to arrive in time for the New Year's festivities).

For the conspiracy theorists among us, there's Shepherd's Ridge Sauvignon Blanc, 100% controlled by its vineyard (meaning no grape swaps or underhanded buys; it's grown and bottled on the premises, 100%). At about $25 a bottle, it's a good value, say J and J.

Drinkers of red wine, there's something for you here: Benziger Pinot Noir, available for a song from the wonderfully affordable (if ineptly named) canalswine.com. I think something got lost in translation when Canals Wine chose that domain.

As to Champagnes, J. L'Uomo recommends

Piper Heidsieck Brut Rose or Rose Sauvage, in a wide range of prices from $18 to $45, generally.

And once you've hunkered down with your honey or your croneys or your homies, don't forget to light a zorch and let les bons temps roulent.

Pretty colors.

*Caveat emptor: Now that I am home and stretched out in my comfy broadband connection, Blogger has decided to eat my hyperlinks sometimes even when I painstakingly enter them myself in--horrors--real html). So, I think someone on the Internet is trying to coax me to stop leaning on links and start writing. I won't do it, though, you hear me? I won't!