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BY CESAR CHAVEZ, Certified Wine Specialist
Well, here we go again, another year but this time we’ve got COVID! It’s going to be quite an undertaking for many families getting together this year because of the Corona virus hanging down on us making it difficult to enjoy time with friends and family!
But I’m here to recommend some wines that you can serve at the Thanksgiving table and Christmas/ New Year’s to make this a real joyous occasion.
I’m going to give you some examples of what’s out there that will compliment that turkey, ham, leg of lamb, steak or just complete veggies!
People usually ask me, “What’s your favorite wine?” Over the many years in the wine business, I’ve tasted tens of thousands of wines, so for a true favorite, it has to do with my present situation – WHAT AM I EATING? One thing to always remember is to drink what your heart desires. There is nothing wrong in drinking white wine with red meat or red wine with fish. If that’s what makes you feel good – go for it!
I am asked frequently whether I would like to serve an import or a domestic wine, again it all boils down to personal preference and how much you might need to please your guests. For my festive dinners at home, I know my people like to drink California wine, period; I will accommodate their palate preferences and serve the New World but they will also be served wines from Spain and France, two of my favorite areas. When we get together, we all enjoy sharing new wines we have recently discovered, whether they fall in the $8-10 range or the over $20 category. At many a great holiday dinner we have tasted wines from South Africa, Romania, Sweden, Mexico, South America and several other countries that many wine imbibers would never even think that viticulture existed!
One last thing before your attention starts to stray, don’t forget the glassware! You’d be amazed how differently a wine will taste and enjoyed just by the type of stemware is used. Although you have seen exquisite glassware sold in stores (such as RIEDEL) that destroy one’s pocketbook, you do not, I repeat, you do not have to spend your entire life savings to obtain decent drinking wine glasses to enjoy your bottle of wine.
So please do have fun during the holidays and remember , there’s always something new in the festive world of wines waiting to charm your taste buds.
CALIFORNIA RECCOMENDATIONS
RAEBURN CHARDONNAY (Russian River Valley)- Elegant, with great fruit flavors and toasty vanilla.
SMITH & HOOK CABERNET SAUVIGNON (Central Coast) – great flavors of black fruit and some earthy aromas.
RIDDLE PINOT NOIR (Edna Valley) – One of my favorites in any category , black plum, great tannins with a tart finish – Thumbs Up!
SCHRAMSBERG BLANC DE BLANCS (Calistoga) – Great tropical fruit aromas with apple overtones and hints of lemon and vanilla! My all time favorite California sparkler (Richard Nixon took this one on his historic visit to China!)
OLD WORLD SELECTIONS
FLORIAN GRUENER VELTLINER (Hungary)- This wine made from the Gruner Veltliner grape can handle spicy food and is not too dry. It really goes great with that turkey, Yum!
TAVEL ROSE, Reserve des Chastelle (France) – Dry, with great fruit flavors of strawberry and slight watermelon flavors.
CHATEAU CLOS LA GAFFELIERE (Bordeaux, France) – Warm, rich tannins with a full bodied flavorful finish.
Wishing You Happy Holidays and A Great New Year!
(Editor’s note: Cesar X. Chavez is a long time local wine expert: 1st wine and food writer for the San Antonio Express & News, Main St Wine Merchants proprietor, Master of Wine Candidate 1989 and Certified Spanish Wine Educator)
//SA
