BUYING WINE FOR THE HOLIDAYS

A Field Guide Pt 1

THANKSGIVING DINNER

There are 4 components that traditionally go into a Thanksgiving dinner:

1. PROTEIN: Turkey or ham
2. ROASTED DISHES: Green bean casserole, or anything baked in the oven
3. DRY SPICES: Cinnamon, clove, dried herbs
4. WINTER FRUIT AND VEGETABLES: Squash, Brussel sprouts, onion, cranberry and potato

When you start to think about all of the ingredients that go into making Thanksgiving dinner, you begin to eliminate wines that possess flavors that are opposite of the flavors you would taste in your feast! Ideally, the goal is to match similar or complimenting flavors found in your meal and in wine! A dry red wine, for example, mirrors those similar flavors like nutmeg and dark fruits that are more in line with the flavor profiles in the entree of your meal.

We recommend a Pinot Noir, Zinfandel or a Barbara/ Gamay blend:

ON TO DESSERT

Pumpkin Pie is a staple dessert at Thanksgiving and is the perfect fall holiday treat. The mulling spices and honeyed fruit flavors found in sweeter white wines pairs up well with the rounder flavor of pumpkin and can handle the fall spices.

We recommend the 2019 Moscato and 2019 Gewürztraminer

Don't gamble on a cute label at the grocery store: keep your wine rack stocked with your favorite small producer!

Cheers!