The right wine can make holiday meals memorable
Occasionally, we recognize a label that recalls an event, a place, or someone with which we enjoyed a specific wine. Although it’s unlikely to duplicate that moment, and that wine will never taste as it did that day, why not create a new memorable moment? These are the dinners and gatherings that are being planned and shared over the holiday season — enjoyed among the company of people we care about most, along with meticulously-planned meals and carefully-selected wine pairings.
I love everything about the holiday season — the cheesy holiday songs, the hustle and bustle and especially sharing and pairing holiday meals.
Most importantly, we celebrate the holidays with people that mean the most — our family and friends. So, as things start to quiet down, we can sit back, unwind and welcome the festivities and the time to celebrate and share with those closest to us.
My family will kick off the festivities with a family skate on Christmas Eve followed by a traditional gift exchange on Christmas Eve with a glass of bubbles and appetizers (after our beautiful grandsons, Luca and Oscar, have set out the cookies for Santa).
Christmas for our family is a food-coma day, the culmination of planning and preparation for a family feast and, of course, great holiday pairings with our traditional turkey dinner.
From our family to yours, Merry Christmas.
Holiday pairings can elevate meals and create memories that will stay with us for a lifetime.
I hope you enjoy my recommendations.
PERLUGO ZERO PIEVALTA $30
An organic sparkling wine made with Verdicchio grapes from biodynamic producers in the Marche region in Italy. Made using the traditional method (bubbles are created in the bottle, not injected as gas). Zero on the label means there is almost no residual sugar in this gem — dry and aromatic with fresh herbs, crushed almonds, fresh bread and a splash of citrus on a crisp and zesty palate. Delicious.
LOUIS JADOT GRANGE MAGNIEN MACON VILLAGES $26
The cellars of Jadot are well worth a visit if you get to Beaune in France, where you will experience generations of history dating to 1859 with a focus on organic and sustainable winemaking. This wine is made from Chardonnay grapes sourced from their vineyards in the south of Burgundy. It’s made without any wood influence, using only stainless steel tanks which fashions an easy and enjoyable wine with fruity and floral notes that is perfect with roasted turkey and the trimmings. Serve chilled.
SARACCO LANGHE RIESLING 2015 $30
The Rieslings from Langhe in northwest (Piemonte) Italy are a life-changing style of this grape, although I have always felt Riesling was one of life’s greatest wine gifts. This wine will pair with many dishes, from turkey to ham, and is terrific with starters. It’s mineral-driven, light and mouth-watering with crisp McIntosh apples, citrus, dried grasses and tropical fruits.
POET’S LEAP RIESLING 2015 $33
If I didn’t convince you with a dry Riesling, how about this lush style that’s a result of a collaboration between an acclaimed German winemaker, Armin Diel, and Walla Walla winemaker, Gilles Nicault. There is a little residual sugar in the wine that provides a round and delicious expression of Riesling with juicy ripe pears, apples and peaches with a zesty and fresh mineral-driven finish. Pair with turkey, ham and most holiday fare. Heavenly.
PHILIPPE BOUZEREAU BOURGOGNE PINOT NOIR 2015 $34
When I think of savoury and juicy turkey dinner, Pinot Noir comes to mind first, and especially a light and perfumed red Burgundy from France. This is an elegant and classic holiday turkey pairing choice. This is an entry level expression with juicy cherries, red berries and dried herbs on a balanced and textured palate.
NICHOL VINEYARD PINOT NOIR 2014 $39
This is an excellent new world expression of Pinot Noir from Naramata, B.C. My daughter Kelsey is a huge fan of this winery (as well as the Cabernet Franc, if you can find one) and it will likely grace our table this year. You will experience beautiful elegance and softness with ripe red cherries, spice, fresh herbs on a rich, savoury and lush palate.
MERAYO IYI MENCIA 2016
Mencia is an exciting grape from Bierzo in northwest Spain and is a terrific Pinot Noir alternative that would pair with whatever you have on the holiday menu — ham, turkey and even lamb. With six months of aging on the lees (dead yeast) you will enjoy the complexity and intensity of the flavours and aromas of fresh ripe red berries, floral, and spice on a fresh and velvety palate.
CONDADO DE HAZA CRIANZA 2014 $30
This winery is located in Ribera del Duero, Spain. The wine is made from 100 per cent Tempranillo grapes that was aged for 18 months in American oak barrels. The Fernandez family uses natural winemaking techniques, farm sustainably, and all their wines are unfiltered and unfined. This creates a rich, dense flavour with dark ripe fruits (plum, cherry and strawberry), spice, herbs, violets and pairs perfectly with ham.
G.D. VAJRA MOSCATO D’ASTI 2016 $25
If you can find some room for something sweet — maybe a selection of soft cheese, or light cakes with berries — then you will love what Moscato d’Asti has to offer. This dessert wine is slightly sweet, lively, slightly fizzy, low in alcohol and intensely aromatic with notes of orange blossom, fruit salad and fresh herbs. Decadent.
Wine selections are available at select Alberta shops. Log onto liquorconnect.com to check availability and give them a call to verify.