This Somm’s Best Wines for your Thanksgiving Table!

Some of you may have seen the Food Network article online about Sommelier recommendations for your turkey day feast, myself included.  However that was a much abbreviated version of what I had to say (of course)!  So here is my full answer to help you fill in those lonely decanters in your cabinet.  Enjoy & Happy Thanksgiving!!!

“Keeping in mind the enjoyment of the meal, Thanksgiving is a classic time to introduce wines with the various courses and dishes.  I recommend starting with crisp light white wines to complement the start of your meals. With seasonal salads  or creamy soups, try the Robert Mondavi 2017 Fumé Blanc, Napa Valley ($23). Modeled after the elegant white wines made in Bordeaux region of France, this new release is made with 85% Sauvignon Blanc and 15% Semillon. With aromatic aromas, the wine features lively flavors of a fresh peach, citrus, wild herbs and a smooth texture that can make the flavors in these starting dishes pop. Another Thanksgiving classic is the Gundlach Bundschu 2017 Dry Gewurztraminer, Sonoma Coast ($25). Celebrating their 160th Anniversary as the oldest family-owned winery in California, this new release from the Bundschu family features tangy flavors of ripe melon, grapefruit, white pepper, ginger and nutmeg that can pair with a wide range of starting dishes, including spicy soups and salads with zesty dressing.

Moving on to the yams, mashed potatoes, green bean salad, gravy, stuffing and white meats calls for something that can complement the various flavors on the dish. A easy choice would be a young, vibrant Pinot Noir with ripe red fruits, spice and a kiss of oak.  From the 2016 vintage that just hit the market, delicious examples include The Calling from Russian River Valley, Sanford from the Sta. Rita Hills of Santa Barbara County, and Penner-Ash from Oregon’s Willamette Valley ($28-$38). Beyond pairing nicely with fine cheeses, salads, cranberries and mushroom-based dishes, these Pinot Noir offerings are fabulous options to serve with turkey sandwiches on the days following Thanksgiving.

Of course, the main dish could range from deliciously brined or smoked turkey to savory pork or ham. Therefore, one needs a flexible varietal to suit these options. An easy solution to deal with the diverse flavors is to serve a medium to full-bodied Bordeaux style blend. Crafted with estate fruit from Paso Robles, the J. Lohr 2016 Los Osos Merlot ($15) is made with 85% Merlot and smaller portions of Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. The end result is a generous wine with deep, rich flavors of black cherry, plum, dark chocolate, baking spices, roasted nuts and smooth tannins that can complement each bite on the plate. For spicy and savory dishes, tangy sauces or heavier meats like dark turkey or ham, an admirable alternative would be the Dry Creek Vineyard 2016 Heritage Vines Zinfandel ($24). Honoring the old vine plantings in Dry Creek Valley and other special winegrowing regions in Sonoma County, this wine features lavish notes of blackberry, dark cherry, raspberry, black pepper, licorice and a long, graceful finish.”

SVMA/12.2.18/Art & Poetry + Food & Wine

Pairings for the Senses

Come together on Sunday, December 2nd from 5:30-7:30pm, at our 3rd-annual Pairings event. Taste the fruits of Sonoma winemakers and chefs, see the art on view in the museum, and listen to live readings by our featured “Flight of Poets:” Julia Bouwsma, Joseph Rios, Sam Sax, and Melissa Stein.  I will be the featured Sommelier along with MCs with poets Tess Taylor and Hollie Hardy.

Featured wineries include Gloria Ferrer, Stone Edge Farm, Eco Terreno Wines, Dane Cellars, Once & Future, Garnet Wines, Belden Barns, and Winery Sixteen 600.

Featured Chefs include John McReynolds, EDGE at Stone Edge Farm, Sondra Bernstein & John Toulze, girl & the fig, Kyle Kuklewski, Ramekins, Ari Weiswasser, Glen Ellen Star, Sheana Davis, The Epicurean Connection and special visiting chef from Mei Prefecture, Japan, Takahisa Shirakawa, courtesy of Sonoma Cultural Exchange.

Get your TICKETS!

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Poets (clockwise from top left): Joseph Rios, Melissa Stein, Sam Sax, Julia Bouwsma

Z-List! 23rd Annual Thanksgiving Wine Picks!

This years WINNING wines that pair perfectly with your Thanksgiving Turkey!  A big thanks to our 16 judges who (blindly) judged almost 175 wines together with turkey.  Near each wine you’ll find descriptions of the wine as well as the winery link.  Need wines shipped to you?  No problem, the wineries can do that! So can Bottle Barn. Yay!

 

Thank you to Grand Cru Custom Crush & Olivers Markets
for sponsoring this years epic competition.

CHAMPAGNE/SPARKLING

Claypool Cellars, Champagne $55.
Extraordinary, Apple-y, Brioche, Balanced, Pear Brûlée, Stone-fruit, Complex, Love…

ROSÉ

2014 Josh Cellars, Rosé, CA $14.
Succulent, Watermelons, Wild Strawberry, Tango’s with Turkey, Yummy, Easy Drinkin’

WHITE WINE *TIE*

2018 Alexander Valley Vineyards, Gewürztraminer, Mendocino $14.
Turkey Perfect, Exotic, Spicy, Crowd Pleaser, Ginger-not-Marianne, Luscious Lychee, Floral

2017 Dry Creek Vineyard, Chenin Blanc, Clarksburg $15.
White peaches, Crowd Pleaser, earth n spice & everything nice, Tropical fruits, Chamomile, Meyer Lemon

RED WINE

2014 Marimar Estate, Pinot Noir, Mas Cavalls, Doña Margarita Vnyd, Sonoma Coast $47.
Thanksgiving Velvet, Black Raspberries, Forest Floor, Dried Figs, Spiced Berries, Dancing in the Dark, Baking Spices, Cranberries-not the band, Elegant, Succulent, Gorgeous, Impressive

DESSERT WINE

2014 Gloria Ferrer, Demi-Sec Reserve Cuvée, Carneros. $40.
Fruitful, Succulent, Delicious, Creamy-Yum, Pretty, Ripe Juicy Green Apples, Ripe Pears