Mid fall season, to the South are the lights
Leaves are expressing brilliant hues
Warm days and chilly nights
Which wine do you choose?
It’s the perfect time of the year for layering. Warm days demand t shirts and sandals while night time chills down to flannel pajamas and an extra blanket on the bed. A period as small as the sliver of a moon this time is welcomed with pleasure. We are layering wines this time of year, moving from whites to reds, overlapping, exchanging acidity for tannins, and experiencing the chill of a white and the warmth from a gorgeous red. This season too is fleeting but best to be celebrated at Thanksgiving. It’s with thanks, pleasure, and gratitude that we can enjoy this layering of wines at our holiday table. The choices from thermals or vest, jacket or boots to who is coming to our holiday table? What wines should we serve? What flavors will we enjoy? The season of layering is upon us and choice is abundant. This is a wonderful time to appreciate the flavors of the season and pair them with a diversity of wines. Festivity invites a great selection of wines. For Turkey, I love to experiment with Grenache and its blends. Grenache has a wonderful way of accentuating the flavors of the bird. Grenache loves savory. Grenache also loves pepper spice. Any herb, vegetable, or spice with a peppery flavor will do well with Grenache. With Duck, Ham, and Pork we can layer whites of Viognier, Chardonnay, and Fumé Blanc. (When I refer to Fumé Blanc, it’s in the nature of the style of Sauvignon Blanc aged in oak barrels that has a round almost sweetness to it.) Rosé is the most festive beverage. Depending on the grapes used to make this wine blush it can be paired with a variety of dishes including Turkey. It also looks beautiful on the table and surprises guests. A beautiful Cabernet is always welcomed and often paired with beef, try pairings with lamb and cheesy wine risotto too. I like to layer a variety of wines at the holiday table where guests can pour a wine with each flavor and move seamlessly from whites to reds and back to whites. With so much abundance during the holidays, it’s nice to complete the meal with something light. Using the fruits of the season, try poaching pears, apple and lemon tarts, and cranberry crumbles with orange zest garnished with pomegranate seeds. These flavors are refreshing and will be beautiful with medium to light bodied reds, Rosé, Sparkling, and whites with a touch of tropical fruit and creaminess. Experience this pleasurable season of friends and family layered with flavors.
