What Shall We Drink with Thanksgiving Dinner?

I've been wanted to make some Thanksgiving recommendations...I hope you don't mind.

Tonight I was dying to open a bottle I've been saving for a year and a half...a pinot noir. I wanted to see what it's become since my birthday, 2009, when I last tasted it; AND I have been contemplating how nice it might be with Thanksgiving dinner!

We are super-impressed after re-tasting the 2007 Chaddsford, PA (LOCAL!) Pinot Noir.

Of course, many folks will be enjoying whites and roses on turkey day...and I will open one of them too. BUT... by now, everyone knows I am partial to Cabs and Pinots! This is the perfect season for a pretty pinot noir!

Refer to some of my prior blogs (SWEET CHEEKS, NZ PINOT) for some great ideas...be adventurous! Focus on light-medium bodied varieties. Ask your liquor store expert, or email/call me anytime.

So anyway, Chaddsford Winery proves that Pennsylvania pinots can compete! This wine rocks!

Cherries. Cranberries. Earth. Roses. Earth. Earth. Earth! This is why I LOVE pinots. It will work sooo nicely with roast turkey, as it won't over power. It will also go especially well with chestnut/mushroom stuffing. (I saw a great recipe in Wegmans magazine, although I will be sticking with a very traditional stuffing this year!)

Tonight, to test it out, I had it with simple grilled salmon, long-grain herbed rice, and broccoli. It complemented the heartiness of the fish quite well.

I know you are thinking, "That's nice, Tare, but I am a purist who prefers a white wine with my poultry. I say, "Go for it!" Try an UN-OAKED Chardonnay, Voigner, or Washington State or Alsace semi-dry (sec) Riesling, for a nice match.

Call or email for specific recommendations. Just yesterday, I got an email asking for a nice Thanksgiving Sauvignon Blanc idea. I am happy (and look forward to) offering advice.

Joyeux Thanksgiving, loved ones! And yes, we will kick off Thanksgiving festivities with a Champagne (or Oregon Sparkling- stay tuned for details!!!) toast!

Written: November 21, 2010

Whether NY or France...Still the Same Grape!

I love the New York Finger Lakes!

Gorgeous weather. A beautiful wedding (Congrats Dorothy and Eoin!). Yet another amazing experience in wine. The makings of a fantastic weekend!

#1 weekend goal: Get those kids married.
#2 weekend goal: (Albeit lower on the priority list!...) PLENTY of wine tasting!

Missions accomplished!

The Finger Lakes is by far the best region for wine on the eastern half of the United States. Inevitably, the region produces better quality white wines than red, but there are exceptions. Cabernet Franc is one of them...the product tends to be consistently decent!

Glenora Wine Cellars 2008 Cab Franc has characteristics of Cabernet Sauvignon (dry, tannic), but with slightly less body. Green peppers, dark berries, some floral-like aroma. This one seems a bit young...I'm going to cellar the bottle I brought home for a few years to let it chill out.

Now, across the pond for another look at this grape... BONJOUR, France! The best reds that come out of the Loire Valley are also Cabernet Francs!

Immediately, my mind travels back to west-central France. How ironic that a little over a month ago, I was tasting this same grape varietal in it's birthplace?!

We had some lovely Cab Francs from the Loire, mostly from Chinon (an area with a large castle ruins that we visited) and the Touraine. It ripens earlier, so it does better than Cabernet Sauvignon in cooler climates like NY or this region of France.

I've heard these French Cab Francs described as, "reminiscent of the aromas of a forest after a rainstorm." LOVE THAT! They are so earthy, with old world charm. Medium-bod beauties. We enjoyed countless selections, including those from Anjou, Touraine, Brissac, Saumur, Bourgueil, Saumur-Champigny, and of course, Chinon!

SANTE!

Photos:
Top- (1) Sunrise over Lake Seneca, Dundee, NY; (2) Genora Vineyards along Seneca Lake
Middle- (1) Couly-Dutheil Vineyards, Chinon, France; taken from Chateau de Chinon (2) Tara and Maya wine tasting at Chateau St. Julien on the last night all together, putting on serious faces to inspect wine clarity! (3) Wine shop in Chinon ville.