plum

This holiday season I have opted to repeat my blog from last year because the films obviously remain classics and the pairings still apply.

It is the busy season at Premier, so I am just doing one large blog for the Holidays. I have listed 10 of my favorite Christmas movies with one bonus film many of you probably have never seen or heard of, but should take a look at. For each movie I have suggested a wine or spirit to go along with your viewing pleasure.

1. A Christmas Carol (1951): My favorite all-time Christmas movie with the incomparable Alistair Sim. It’s full of dark, brooding, Victorian London along with cheery snowy street scenes and lovely carols. A figgy and nutty Tawny Port like Niepoort Ten Year is just the thing to sip along with a slice of Christmas cake or pudding as you view this ideal Christmas movie.

2. A Christmas Carol (1984): My second favorite version of Dickens’ classic with wonderful set

Here is my list of some favorite wines for Thanksgiving. Most of these are old favorites, and all are interesting and worth your time. With a couple of exceptions, these wines will fall under $15.00 a bottle.

1. Georges Duboeuf Beaujolais Nouveau 2016 / 750 ml.: A good vintage with a deep, dark, plum color and juicy, ripe flavors with a smooth finish. This light refreshing red should be served slightly chilled and works nicely the day after Thanksgiving when you build that monster of a turkey sandwich.

2. The Borell-Diehl 2014 Gewurztraminer Kabinett Pfalz: This wine should be of particular interest to you if you like some sweet with your spice. This wine is very aromatic, with rose, grapefruit, lychee, coriander. With ginger, citrus and golden apple notes on the mouth, this wine will be a winner for complex Thanksgiving flavors.

3. Domaine L’Enclos Moelleux 2015: This is a lovely, bargain-priced French white

We are headed for another record breaking month of high temperatures before August is out.  Refreshing is still key when it comes to drinking wine right now.  Therefore, what better place to go than the Calabria (toe of Italy) region where they know what hot is to find a cool, crisp, white wine.

From a region famous for well made wines going back several decades, Keuka Springs Vineyards has been making great wines for thirty years. Under the direction of the Wiltberger family, Keuka Springs is producing outstanding from a wide variety of grapes. 

In a couple of days the weather is going to turn wet and cold. Sad to say after a day like Thursday which reached the high seventies, we must endure another meteorologically challenged weekend. Unfortunately for us wine lovers, the words cool and refreshing may not be what you are considering when drinking wine this weekend.  You might want to forgo the crisp whites or thirst quenching Roses for something a bit more bold and substantial.  How about an old vine Zinfandel that could warm you up a bit?

The 2013 Perseverance Old Vine Zinfandel is a slightly lighter bodied Zinfandel that still retains the deep, rich purple color of the classic California wine.  Dark plum and cherry fruit and spice with a mocha finish help deliver a perfect wine for this weekend.  So whether you are cooking sausages, burgers, or hot dogs on the grill (and possibly dodging raindrops) or enjoying burritos inside while binge watching your favorite show, this wine is going to satisfy. 

Several years ago my wife and I visited Northern California where we spent time in San Francisco and points north. Most of our trip was spent in Mendocino County which I found to be geographically diverse and beautiful. There was coastline, hills, redwood forest, farms, scenic fishing villages, costal hamlets and several vineyards.

Our final wine pairing with East Aurora take out will lead us to 189 Public House on Main Street. 189  (www.oneeightynine.com) is a relatively new comer to East Aurora and is owned and operated by John Crook whose family also runs the Bar Bill next door. The pub, known for excellent live music, has a warm, dark wood atmosphere which includes a well appointed bar and is a great place for lunch, dinner and pub fare later in the evening. 

Ponder this: Only in America could you munch on Ethiopian spiced chicken wings from a Ethiopian restaurant that is run by a couple from the small village of East Aurora , while drinking a Shiraz-Viognier from Australia with a French producer and Napa, California winemaker.

This is a wonderful wine to welcome in the New Year. Although we have commented on the Baus Family Cabs before, this vintage is definitely one to celebrate. The 2012 Baus Family Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon is absolutely a pleasure to drink.