By Amy Barone
November 16, 2007
Sweet potato pies covered with pecans, mushrooms stuffed with sausage, turkey seasoned with sage, thyme and marjoram roasting in the oven. These are the familiar smells and tastes of Thanksgiving.
But a holiday celebration wouldn’t be complete without the aromatic bouquet of a good wine, so we talked with our local wine merchants to see what they were recommending for Thanksgiving 2007.
A great way to start off your holiday meal, suggested Mark Buglione of Dodd’s Wine Shop in Millwood, is with a sparkling Lucien Albrecht Cremant D’ Alsace Brut Blanc de Blanc. “With light to medium citrus flavors,” he explained, “its forward acidity and long length add to its appeal.”
“Zinfandels and Syrahs are full bodied and dry with a forward fruit to them and taste great with turkey,” Peter Costello of Hilltop Wines & Spirits offered, “while Pinot Noirs are lighter therefore a better choice to accompany vegetarian entrees.”
Reds: California Zinfandels, Syrahs and Pinot Noirs
The California Zinfandels Hilltop is recommending this year are De Loach Russian River Valley, Edmeades Mendocino County and Shenandoah Armador County. For Syrahs, they suggest
Parker Station Central Coast, Daniel Gehrs and Paso Robles. As for Pinot Noirs, Costello believes one can’t go wrong with Oregon’s Freja, California’s Quail Creek or the “super special” McKenzie-Mueller (price range: $13 - $45).
Dodd’s in Millwood recommends Klinker Brick Zinfandel 2005. “Big, bold aromas of plum, raisin and licorice combine with a palate of currant and tobacco to lead up to a finish with dry, firm tannins,” Buglione explained.” He suggested that this wine be left open for two hours to bring all the elements forward.
Perhaps an Italian red
To spice things up a bit Kirk Sprenger of Chappaqua Wine & Spirit Co. recommends the Chianti La Cipressaia and Musella Valpolicella Ripasso from the Veneto region in northern Italy (on sale for $13.99 and $17.99, respectively).
“Turkey is a neutral white meat; anything goes well with it,” Sprenger noted. “These wines have a little bit fuller taste . . . a nice full fruit accented with a little bit of spice.”
Chappaqua Wine & Co. also recommends Ventisquero Gray which is a reserved merlot from Chile. It received the Great Gold Award from Decanter Magazine and is on sale for $23.99.
“That’s a great, great glass of wine,” Sprenger said with enthusiasm.
Vegetarian dishes also go well with wine
For lighter vegetarian dishes and diners partial to white wine, Sprenger highly recommends the nice, crisp Magito which Chappaqua Wine is offering at their wine tasting this Saturday from 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
“Only 710 cases were produced and it is full flavored with a softer, rounder edge to it and not too acidic,” Sprenger explained. “An absolutely incredible glass of Sauvignon full of fruit and very vibrant.”
Hilltop also recommends Pine Ridge, Daniel Gehrs’ Chenin Blanc or Costello’s personal favorite the “very special” Hermann Weimer Finger Lakes Riesling (price range: $13 - $25) for white wine lovers.
Dodd’s recommendation for those with a preference for white is Novelli Trebbiano Spoletino 2006. “This Umbrian white gets your attention with its bright and clean white fruit flavors,” Buglione noted. “Round and generous on the palate with great supportive acidity. An amazingly long finish for an Italian white.”
So, enjoy!
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