I can't believe I'm writing this but it's almost Thanksgiving! This is a time of year for family to gather, have a nice meal and a glass of wine or two usually to celebrate but for some people, it may be so they can tolerate :P
I'll share a few options with you so please for the love of god ditch that boxed wine and treat yourself to a new experience. Whites, roses and even reds! The best part is that most of these wines can be ordered from the LCBO online and shipped right to your door!
1. Pierre Sparr, Gewurztraminer from Alsace France at $17.45. "Medium gold in colour; very aromatic, perfumed nose with lychee, rose petal and mango; dryish, medium bodied; sweet fruit centre with spice flavours, balanced with a long, warm finish." Vintages Panel.
2. Kuhlmann-Platz Pinot Gris 2015 at $18.95 from Alsace France. "Sourced from chalky vineyards and vines averaging more than 20 years of age, this fresh Pinot Gris toys with being off-dry and has spicy notes with floral and fruit tones. Excellent mouthfeel and texture with good replays of the apple, peach and citrus suggested by the nose." Vintages Panel.
3. Domaine de La Baume Elisabeth, Viognier 2016, $16.95 from the south of France. "Made in a modern style, this ripe, robust Viognier is overflowing with peach, apricot and citrus fruit, while pretty floral notes and stony mineral add complexity. Excellent value." Vintages Panel.
4. Domaine Nugues Beaujolais Villages Red, 2015 at $19.10 from Beaujolais, France. This wine is made with the red grape "Gamay" and produces youthful, easy drinking light and fruity wine, I didn't say sweet. Treat this wine like a white and sip it chilled (ok a little bit more warmth) as it should highlight the cranberry and lingonberry sauces you have nicely. If you can't find this one, try any Beaujolais.
5. Hidden Bench Estate, Pinot Noir from 2012 at $31.95 from Niagara, Ontario. "Vibrant raspberry, ripe black cherries and plums express the warm and sunny 2012 vintage. The palate is loaded with rich, concentrated red and dark fruit notes, with an underlying earthiness and a savoury, juicy finish. Tannins are round and silky." Hidden Bench Winery.
6. Featherstone Rose, 2016 at $15.95 from Niagara, Ontario. "Featherstone's Rose has won impressive awards in the past, including a double gold medal at the 2014 Ontario Wine Awards. This wine shows strawberry, candied watermelon, and baked cherry on the nose. Creamy and refreshing, with cherry and cran-apple persisting on the finish." Vintages Panel. Perfect for more fruit-based dishes like cherry or apple pie for dessert.
The white wines above pair well with the light yet richness of the turkey, white gravies and stuffing. The rose can be great with the meal or perhaps even with dessert. The Beaujolais can highlight your red berry dressings much like the Rose could while the Pinot Noir can really match the earthy mushroom dishes or darker gravies. Play around with it this Thanksgiving and don't be afraid to try something new.
I'm constantly asking wine professionals, watching youtube clips, reading and most importantly tasting wine to learn as much as I can. Learning about wine is a long journey because there is so much to soak in but it's tons of fun. Don't stick to your standard go-to, be adventurous, be bold...but not Australian Shiraz with Turkey bold, that's just crazy!
Gobble Gobble,
Ryan Sullivan
No comments:
Post a Comment