Wines you should give a sip about this holiday season
POV: It’s almost Thanksgiving, and you haven’t seen your extended family since the holidays in 2019. If this is you, you aren’t alone. So many of us are reuniting with our aunts, uncles and cousins this month for the first time in legitimately two years, and that can be as nerve-wracking as it is exciting. Who’s got a new job? Who’s had a baby? Who’s now a wine connoisseur? So much has changed in our lives, and we’ve all got a lot of catching up to do. We hope the following wine guide will make these conversations easier.
Home is where the Riesling is
Native to the Rhine River in Germany, Riesling is a white wine known for its fruity notes. High in acidity, Riesling can be sweet, dry and/or sparkling. It’s best served cold and pairs well with rich, salty dishes. For Thanksgiving dinners, think green bean casserole, turkey with gravy and mashed potatoes. If serving with dessert, Riesling is a great complement to sweet potato casserole, cheesecake and apple pie. Our Riesling recos:
Chateau Ste. Michelle Riesling
Gobelsburger Riesling
Relax Riesling
Keep Calm and Pinot Noir
Did someone say red wine? Pinot Noir is one of the world’s most beloved red wines – and for good reason. From Burgundy, France, Pinot Noir is typically dry and light to medium-bodied with a naturally high acidity. While taste varies based on where it’s from and how it’s made, most Pinot Noir wines have a complex flavor that blends cherry, raspberry, mushroom and more. Similar to Riesling, the red fruit and spice flavors of Pinot Noir wines pair well with casseroles and creamy mashed potatoes, as well as cranberry dishes and both white and dark meat turkey. Our Pinot Noir recos:
Castle Rock Pinot Noir
Block #9 Pinot Noir
Meomi Pinot Noir
Beaujolais, please
Wine enthusiasts know: Beaujolais is having a moment. Named after a small region in France, Beaujolais is a light red wine made with Gamay Noir grapes. With high acidity and low tannin, it is best served slightly chilled to bring out the flavors of raspberry, cherry and cranberry, as well as mushroom, smoke, violet and even banana and bubblegum. That’s right, bubblegum. Because it’s lighter and less tannic than Pinot Noir, it pairs well with white meat turkey and complements sweet side dishes like sweet potato casserole. It also pairs well with salad and cranberries, so it’s not a bad option to have on hand for the early courses of your Thanksgiving feast. Our Beaujolais recos:
Jadot Beaujolais
Barton & Guestier Beaujolais
Duboeuf Beaujolais
Prosecco Rosé is always the answer
Fun fact: Prosecco is the best-selling sparkling wine on the planet. It’s an Italian wine known for floral flavors and bubbly acidity. Prosecco can be brut nature (super dry), extra brut (extra dry) and brut (dry). Rosé is iconic for its pink color, and it’s a perfect choice for Thanksgiving. That’s because it acts as a palate cleanser for foods like gravy, turkey and other rich holiday dishes. It can be served as part of any course, but its strawberry and raspberry flavors especially accentuate cranberry flavors in Thanksgiving dishes. Our Prosecco Rosé recos:
Ruffino Prosecco Rosé
Josh Prosecco Rosé
Pasqual Prosecco Rosé
In-Store Tastings:
Below is our schedule for in-store tastings in November, aka the best way to wind down a busy work week on Fridays!
November 5: Grey Goose Essences Watermelon & Bacardi Bahama Mama
November 12: Jim Beam Bourbon Cream & Beam Classic Highball
November 19: Two Chicks & Castello De Poggio
November 24t Cow Wreck Peanut Butter Chocolate Cream
November 26: KC Wine Vine Coolers
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