By Lou Phillips ·
Courtesy Airfield Estates Winery ·
Turkey, football, pumpkin blessed pie, yes, yes, yes. The usual suspect wines – no, no, no. For Plymouth Rock’s sake, let’s try something different this year, a new wine direction that may change the way you see holidays, and wine-food pairings forever.
So, come along on this Magical Mystery Tour. I put it together with my friends and local wine purveyors, Kali, none-other-than-the-amazing Ms. Kopley from the four Uncorked locations (teloswine.com), and Dean, the talented Mr. Schaecher of The Pour House (thepourhouse.com) in Truckee. Better guides never have there been.
Thanksgiving feasts feature a cornucopia of bold flavors (think sage, cranberry, pumpkin), and will be enriched by wines that have some complexity and stuffing (yes, I really wrote that.).
Good sparklers can carry the ball from food prep to nap-time. In line with our spirit of adventure, we’re veering away from France and California and traveling to New Mexico to grab some Gruet. Whether it’s the Brut, Blanc de Noir or Rose, they deliver a Champagne experience at, well, a New Mexico price between $15 and $20 at The Pour House and Uncorked). Toasty, creamy and crisp all at the same time, Gruet will make all bubble fans smile.
Lucky for you, Pour House guru Dean loves Gewurztraminer. He usually has some aged examples on hand, like the 2007 Stony Hill Napa for $24. And, aged is when these wines really shine, bringing aromas and flavors of winter spices, lychee, rose and peaches. The Stony Hill of Napa is fruity and complex without being sweet, and the flavors makes for great pairings with Thanksgiving herbs and spices.
Grenache is the main grape of the Southern Rhone in France and is an up-and-comer in California. The 2013 Lumen from Santa Barbara available for $25 at Uncorked is a dry red with loads of blueberry and cranberry accented by cinnamon and black pepper. It’s Thanksgiving-in-a-bottle, and it will complement your bird.
The 2010 Torbreck Woodcutter’s Shiraz for $25 at The Pour House is another great red wine choice as it combines a nice earth/mineral component to Shiraz’s usual bounty of big body and dark fruits (Marionberry and Dark Plum show here).
When the desserts start flying, so should the Sauternes. Created in Bordeaux from Semillion and Sauvignon Blanc grapes visited by the fungus Botrytis Cinerea, which shrivels the fruit, concentrates flavors and adds a marmalade-spicy honey quality. The 2011 La Fleur D’Or at $25 at Uncorked delivers just the right level of sweetness, along with a palate-cleansing briskness. It’s a Pumpkin Pie wizard, if ever-a-wiz-there-was.
Lou Phillips is a Level 3 (Advanced) Sommelier and wine educator specializing in advising private collectors and businesses. He may be reached at (775) 544-3435 or wineguru123@gmail.com.
