by
Shannon Porter, Personal Wine Consultant with The Traveling Vineyard
Can
it be? The holidays are right around the corner. No doubt you will be
either cooking or eating the traditional holiday foods of turkey, dressing
and pumpkin pie. While wine is a given at most holiday dinners, picking
one that will compliment turkey and dressing as well as a variety of
other foods can be a little tricky.
Typically
wines that offer a light to medium body and have lower tannin levels
are better suited to compliment a variety of flavors. Look for such
varietals as Sauvignon Blanc, Viognier or Riesling (dry or slightly
sweet) in a white wine and Pinot Noir, Syrah/Shiraz or Red Zinfandel
if you prefer a red wine. If you are feeling adventurous or want to
impress your family/friends with something a little out of the ordinary,
try Tempranillo, Beaujolais Nouveau or a dry Rose.
Still
have room for dessert? The best wines to compliment pecan or pumpkin
pie would be a sweeter Riesling, Gewurztraminer, Champagne/sparkling
wine, or Moscato d’Asti, which is slightly fizzy and has hints
of orange.
White
Holiday Wines:
Sauvignon
Blanc – a crisp white wine that is noted for its earthy,
herbaceous flavors – a prime candidate specifically for turkey
and herb-filled stuffing. Look for either a French or California vintage.
Viognier – a white wine with low levels of acidity and
characterized by light floral flavors often surrounded by delicate touches
of peaches and pears.
Riesling – a white wine that may either be bone dry or
fairly sweet, excellent with any dishes that may have a bit of spice
to them. A dry French Riesling would be my pick.
Sparkling Wine or Champagne – these too range from dry
to sweet. True Champagne only comes from Champagne, France; all other
is technically called sparkling wine. Serve the drier versions with
food and the sweeter sparkling wines with dessert.
Red
Holiday Wines:
Pinot
Noir – often known as the perfect red wine for food. It is
easy going enough to complement just about any flavor you can throw
at it.
Zinfandel – a red wine that ups the intensity from a
Pinot Noir, but still maintains a balancing effect on many traditional
side dishes. A heartier wine that has a nice spice note that accentuates
many foods.
Syrah/Shiraz – another red wine that picks up the intensity
and flavor, yet graciously handles the cornucopia of flavors in a traditional
Thanksgiving meal. The peppery notes will accent a flavorful helping
of stuffing as well as both the white and dark turkey meats.
Beaujolais Nouveau - a light, fruity red wine – think
how cranberries compliment turkey! This wine is released from France
on the third Thursday of November, just in time for Thanksgiving!
Tempranillo – A Spanish wine that is gaining popularity
among California vinters. Berry and herb notes will compliment many
Thanksgiving dishes.
Rose – Try a dry red rose, a light fruity red that both
red and white wine drinkers will typically like.
Enjoy
a wonderful bottle of wine with family and friends and have a “grape”
holiday season!
Zinfully
yours, Shannon
Shannon
Porter is an Independent Wine Consultant with The Traveling Vineyard
and has conducted over 200 wine tastings. Started in 2002 as a division
of Geerlings and Wade - the largest direct to consumer wine distributor
in the U.S. - The Traveling Vineyard is based on a simple premise: the
best way to buy wine is to taste it first. Modeled after tasting rooms
found at fine wineries the world over, The Traveling Vineyard allows
you to sample and learn about wine in the comfort of your own home.
To learn more about booking a free in-home wine tasting event or for
information on how to become an independent wine consultant; visit:
www.myttv.com/shannon5290
