As the cool air of Fall arrives, the days of enjoying a German Riesling on the front porch are coming to end. Most wine enthusiasts tend to switch over to their favorite red wines in the colder months. Autumn is a nice transitional period, both in weather and food, in which white wines can still pair nicely.
The typical All-American Turkey Day feast consists of a sage roasted turkey, cornbread stuffing, giblet gravy, mashed Yukon gold potatoes, baked sweet potatoes, green bean casserole, cranberry sauce, mac & cheese, pies, and some sort of gelatin concoction. All of these items will pair pleasantly with a bold white. Fall foods may be hearty, but are milder in flavor profiles. White wines are a great choice for the Thanksgiving dinner because they tend to have a wider audience at the table.
Chardonnay pairs extremely well to the savors of Thanksgiving. It has usually has more body and layers of flavor than other whites. It is often described with bold flavors of oak and butter, yet has the delicate notes of apple and pear. The cream, butter and oak flavors come from the wine being aged in oak barrels and secondary malolactic fermentation. This is when the malic acids lower and the lactic acids increase giving the rich and velvety body. The wood from the barrel also imparks the deep golden hues the wine is known for.
Some Enjoyable & Affordable Recommendations….
Montevina, California
Chateau St. Jean, Sonoma Valley
La Crema Chardonnay, Sonoma Valley
Naked Mountain, Virginia
If searching for something different from the usual canon of wines, try a Viognier. This grape is crisp, dry, and has a floral aroma. It has a lower acidity to the wine and pairs well with Thanksgiving. This is a grape that is best enjoyed when it is young in age, less than 3 years old. As it ages the wine gets it loses the signature floral notes. Some Viogniers also have been aged in oak to give more body and oaky notes. Another appeal to Viognier, is that it has been very successful growing in Virginia soil. There are several Virginia wineries that make a wonderful product.
A Few Recommendations…
Keswick Vineyards, Governors Cup Winner, Keswick, VA
Jefferson Vineyards, Charlottesville, VA
Fess Parker, California
No comments:
Post a Comment