Dominic Fiore Wine sommelier at Bar Marco in the Strip District
Q: How many bottles should I take for a Friendsgiving party of 10? A: Take two or three. It can be sparkling, red or white. Q: Is red or white wine better with the holiday meal? A: It’s a personal preference. A slightly sweet, high acid riesling would work. I personally prefer a red because it goes well with the bird, stuffing and cranberry sauce. The fruity Beaujolais Nouveau is released every year just in time for
Thanksgiving.
Q: What will happen if I overchill white wine?
A: If a white is too cold, it will lose its nuances and won’t pick up on its full aromas and flavors. I like to serve white wine at 55 degrees, and so I pop it in the fridge for an hour or so before I serve it. If you overchill the wine, let it sit at room temperature. Then be patient, and have a cocktail while it warms up.
Q: Can reds be served cold?
A: All reds should be served slightly under room temperature, and so leaving them in the garage even for half hour is encouraged. I love to serve gamay from Beaujolais with a chill on it. The same goes for montepulciano from Abruzzo, Italy, and trollinger from Germany.
Q: What dessert wines would go best with the pies?
A: The Italian Moscato D’Asti from Piedmont is fruity and a little fizzy and will go well with fruit pies. For pumpkin and pecan pies, I love to serve Madeira, the forgotten dessert wine. A 10-year Malmsey also will do the trick — it is nutty and sweet with notes of dried fruits and chocolate.