Advice about wines that go well with turkey
Please let your voices be heard, pro or con, on the single-payer healthcare Delaware House Bill 392 proposed by John Kowalko, D-Newark, which a handful of Delaware legislators are trying to perpetrate. Think DelDOT, the DDoE, the Fisker debacle, and our state budgetary crisis. Do you really want the same inept management handling your healthcare? Ask your healthcare provider about this. As of Nov. 13, only 97 people in Delaware had signed up for Obamacare. Not much interest there either. Unless you are being subsidized or have serious pre-existing conditions, PPACA is anathema. Very low QPR. I actually checked the site.
For those who enjoy flinty, citrus and oyster Chablis, Chateau de Maligny Premier cru, Vau de Vey 2011 just came on sale at $28, rated 92 by WS. Compares favorably to Fourcharmes 2011 at $39. However, I would pay up for Lefevre Fourcharmes 2010 around $40. It is a much better QPR.
Thanksgiving is swiftly approaching. Following are wine types that I think go best with turkey and its spicy accompaniments. For whites: Gewurztraminer; Pinots Gris and Blanc; Viognier, drier Riesling; for reds: Pinot Noir; Syrah. Amontillado sherry and sparklers are terrific aperitifs. Port or Pedro Jiminez Sherry for postprandial libation are excellent. Please keep Thanksgiving Day thankful and drink moderately. The admonition, “Friends don’t let friends drive drunk” is important, but your best policy is to contain yourself. Don’t drink and drive.
Pine Ridge Chenin Blanc Viognier blend at $14 has a redolent nose of ripe melon, peach and pears underlined by floral notes. The mouthfeel is clean due to proper acidity with pineapple, peach, and mango. The acidity cleans up the gravy-and-stuffing-provoked unctuous feeling.
If you like Honey Crisp apples, you will love Eola Hills Pinot Gris 2011. It can be found under $13. I rate it 89 points. And I love Honey Crisps. You may also look for the Eola Oregon Chardonnay 2012 priced under $13, a helluva deal. Tropical fruit, pears and balance.
Kendall Jackson Vintners Reserve Riesling 2010 won best in class at the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition. And you can buy it under $10. Peaches, pears, spice, especially cinnamon; 88 points McD. The 2011 is better. While I’m on KJ, year in and out these guys are the best large-scale producers in most years. They make a wide variety of wine and usually the products are in the high 80- to 90-point range. The average wino can’t go wrong choosing KJ when his guest list is diverse in its wine appreciation skills. Seghesio Sonoma Zin 2011 is priced under $20. There's a lot to like about the 2011 Seghesio Zinfandel. It is redolent of spice, blackberry, raspberry and cherry, which leads to a balanced palate and a long, clean finish.
Don’t go with vintage Port; choose a 10-year-old Tawny. I think Croft is a great choice. Bear in mind, all tawnys are blends, so when it says 10, 20, 30 or 40-year-old, that only means there is some of the oldest aged Port blended into it. This is formulaic. If you are interested drop me an email or just stop me at the grocery store, as some do. I’ll be happy to elaborate. Croft 10 Year Old Tawny has a huge nose of mango and ginger with a broad mouthful of peaches and apricots. The finish is creamy with sage, caramel, and honey. There is enough alcohol to give me droopy eyelids. Best of all you can buy it under $28, 91 points McD.
Finally, for my beer-drinking buddies and gal pals, search out some Saison. Saison is supposedly reminiscent of Belgian farmhouse ale. My favorite is Lost Abbey Red Barn Ale priced under $10 for a 750 ml. Pours to a lovely carrot-tinged gold, the bouquet is mango and pineapple, and the palate is ginger, orange peels, and black pepper, Lovely dry beer goes well with turkey flavors. Please pour beer or ale with a good 1.5- to 2-inch head and not freezing cold. For your own education try this next to a crackling cold, no-head pour. Love to know which appeals more. Dogfish Head Punkin Ale is a great seasonal brew and Tweason’ale is a wonderful choice for the gluten-free crowd.
