My philosophy about pairing wines with holiday tables in simple. 1. The sides are just as important as the main course. 2. Complimentary flavors are king! Consider the fruit flavors on the table every year. Apples in your stuffing? Cranberry sauce? Play into these flavors and look for wines with similar fruit character, because they too will compliment the other foods on the table. Look for white wines with more stone fruit descriptors. Shy away from citrus driven white wines like Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Grigio, instead grab a bottle of unoaked Chardonnay, or Riesling. When selecting red wines pick something that isn’t going to overwhelm the Turkey. meaning lighter to medium bodied red wines. Bonus points for flavors like tart cherries, or cranberries that pop.
Every year I try to select four wines that are a little less traditional, but fit these descriptors. Whites like Slovenian Furmint, Jacquère from the French Alps, or this years featured Falanghina. When it comes to red wines I think it is hard to beat Garnacha. So we have a Rioja and Washington state blend that both feature Garnacha. Other honorable mentions, Barbara and Dolcetto from Piedmonte, Gamay, or Valdiguie (we always carry the J.Lohr Wildflower Valdiguie at a crazy $8.99 price!)
Stop by to try four perfect picks for your holiday table! Only $5!
Featured Wines:
Cantina del Taburno Falanghina di Sannio DOP 2018
Campania, Italy; $13.99
Falanghina is a classic grape varietal from the Campania region near Naples, and is a perfect white wine for your Thanksgiving table! The goal is to lean away from racy citrus notes and lean into complimentary stone fruit flavors. This one is packed with hints of green apple, pears, and peaches. Still crisp, dry, and refreshing, but full of juicy fruit. – Sample $1.00
Bella Pazza Sangiovese 1L 2019
Abruzzo, Italy; $15.99
Bella Pazza translates loosely to "crazy beautiful." The name was inspired by an Argentine compliment for someone who is "crazy in a good way." This 100% Sangiovese comes from certified organic vineyards in Terre di Chieti. Close to the Adriatic Sea, these grapes get excellent ripeness while still developing some balanced acidity. Notes of black cherry, raspberry and hints of cranberry that compliment a nice roasted turkey. A 1Liter bottle too! - Sample $1.50
Bozeto de Exopto Rioja DOC 2019
Rioja, Spain; $14.99
"The red 2019 Bozeto de Exopto is a blend of 50% Tempranillo from Ábalos with the Mediterranean touch of 40% Garnacha and 10% Graciano from Alfaro to add freshness. He wants the wine to express the Garnacha character, and it does but in a subtler way than if it was a varietal bottling. But all the grapes seem nicely integrated and complement each other. The wine fermented in a combination of stainless steel, concrete vats and used barriques, where it matured for six months. 2019 is a warmer, Mediterranean vintage, and the wine is soft and approachable, juicy and fruit driven” 91pts Robert Parker - Sample $1.50
Kind Stranger “Alter” Red Blend 2019
Columbia Valley, Washington; $18.99
Kind Stranger is a new line of wines from Winemaker Andrew Latta. Born and raised in the Cincinnati area, getting his start in the wine business at the Maisonette. Worked as a sommelier throughout the world before taking his first winemaking job with Charles Smith in Washington. I usually skip Cabernet Sauvignon for Thanksgiving, but the blend here I thought was perfect for a little fuller-bodied style. That Cabernet is softened out with some Malbec and Grenache, resulting in a silky and lush blend with loads of ripe fruit. . - Sample $2.00