the WINE GUY
Last week we looked at a few multipurpose wines that can take on myriad holiday meals. This week steers a similar theme, albeit under the guise of a progressive wine menu picked for a festive occasion. These three bottles will certainly work well when poured with a classic Christmas turkey meal, but they’ll also serve as suitable options for many dinners, providing something (more or less) for everyone, including those who prefer their desserts in liquid form!
THE SWIRL: Wine Plus+ WSET courses
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Mure Signature 2012 Riesling, France ($23.49, #354381)
When looking for a white wine to pour with the big bird, go Riesling! Admittedly, there is nothing trendy or newfangled about this advice; it’s simply classic, tried-and-tested wine wisdom. Generally speaking, Riesling has the acidity to parry rich stuffing and the vibrant fruit to complement roast veggies (let’s be honest, when pairing wine with turkey, it’s mostly about the fixings!). Riesling tends to skew in two directions: 1) clean, crisp and fruit forward; or 2) more developed, rich, and nuanced. Place Mure’s Signature in the latter camp, where its citrus and mineral notes are enhanced by an oily, nutty nose. It’s dry and rich, with a great balance overall that plays well with most meals.
Bottom line: B, Elegant opulence.
SpierHead Winery 2015 Pinot Noir, British Columbia ($25.00, limited availability through the winery and select private wine stores)
Similarly, when looking for an allpurpose food-pairing red, know that Pinot Noir remains a definitive option. Good Pinot has the Goldilocks effect with food — neither too heavy nor too light. It’s just right. And more good Pinot is being produced in our province, including the wines from East Kelowna’s SpierHead Winery. Their basic Pinot Noir is juicy yet structured, with great berry fruit balanced by savoury notes and a serious soif factor that goes gangbusters with everything from cranberry sauce to foie gras.
Bottom line: A, Complex yet approachable.
Long Table Distillery Tradizionale Limoncello ($28.00 for 375mL, limited availability through the distillery)
When it comes to pairing food and beverages, it’s easy to overlook the last bites of a meal. Coffee and tea are fine, but wine can be served with dessert — indeed, it can even serve as its own dessert course. Late harvest or ice wines are always nice, but there are other options. Downtown Vancouver’s Long Table Distillery hand-crafts a Limoncello that’s sure to catch the attention of your dinner guests. Produced following traditional Italian techniques incorporating raw honey and handpeeled lemon zest, this liqueur is vibrant yet demure — it’s certainly not cloying, yet it will stick to your tastebuds all the same.
Bottom line: A-, Zesty and satisfying.