wine and food pairing

I know it is January.  I know it’s really Freakin’ cold outside.  And further more I know it’s a bit nuts to be talking about Sauvignon Blanc which I normally don’t even begin to think about before May, but… we all are a little bit nuts. Look where we chose to live for God’s sake.  So instead of just embracing heavy warm clothes and heavy red wines, let’s delve into a world where snow is gone, breezes are warm and balmy and instead of frozen over ice- gray lakes we see turquoise surf churning up from an ocean far, far away.  Sound good? Alright then.  All you have to do is rent a couple of movies and buy a bottle or two of wine.  

Every year at this time, many people struggle with the dilemma of what to toast with at midnight on New Year’s Eve.  There are several choices depending on style and of course cost.  Some people like a classic Brut (driest of dry) from Champagne France while others like a very sweet Asti from Italy.  Others opt for something in-between like a semi or off dry sparkling wine Prosecco confusingly referred to as “extra dry”.  For those in this latter category looking for something different than the “go to” Prosecco or Asti, I recommend the Jaillance  Cuvee Imperiale.

For my third and final installment discussing Holiday wines and films, I have left my favorite Christmas film until last. It is the 1951 version of A Christmas Carol with the remarkable Alistair Sim as Ebenezer Scrooge. I have watched nearly every version of this story ( the Mr. Magoo cartoon version that you Baby Boomers may remember) but nothing touches Alistair Sims version. He is the most convincing as a mean old miser, a vulnerable and fragile old man fearing for his life, and as the giddy, jubilant survivor on Christmas morning.

This year I may be taking a more traditional route for our Thanksgiving pairing.  But I should mention that this is no ordinary Riesling offered at this price point. The Lamoreaux Landing 2013 Dry Riesling is a glorious wine we should definitely be thankful for.

When you are going to someone’s house for dinner and don’t know what they are serving, it can be a bit frustrating trying to decide which wine to bring. Sparkling wines and dry roses might work, but they can be a bit risky because a fair amount of people may not wish to try these wines with dinner. 

In the last few years, wine producers have stepped up and generously contributed some of their profits and in some cases their time to several worthwhile causes. One of the most significant causes is honoring and supporting our veterans.

Halloween is almost upon us and here at the store, we have a wide variety of wines and spirits that will help you celebrate this highly atmospheric holiday.  With names like Werewolf, Vampire, Poison, Zombie Apocalypse and Supernatural, it is clear we are ready for any Monster Mash you might want to attend. 

The third offering from Perseverance (the Zinfandel and Cabernet being one and two) is their 2013 Chardonnay.  If you are looking for an inexpensive, but not formula tasting Chardonnay, you should consider this one. This wine has plenty of rich and ripe fruit notes, including pear, mango and peach. 

Recently we began carrying Perseverance Cabernet Sauvignon and their Chardonnay.  We have carried the Zinfandel for a couple of years and the name appears to be justified.  This wine makes no pretense in either how it is made or how it should be received.  

Leaves are turning, the temperature is finally dropping, and you probably noticed it is pretty dark shortly after seven pm.  My food and wine palate seem to crave more hearty fare as well as full bodied red wines.  I don’t entirely stop eating light foods such as salads or drinking white wines, but I prefer richer foods and bolder wines this time of year.  In fact, I like to refer to this as “stew, soup, and casserole season”.