Wine Dinner 1 ~ Thanksgiving!

On Thanksgiving, I provided my own wine selections for my family! This included my parents, four siblings, grandma, and great grandparents! I chose the following pairings.

Cotes Des Roses

Rose - Grenache, Cinsault, Syrah

AOP Languedoc, Southern France

2018

$14.99

$From Cote des Roses:The bouquet releases aromas of summer fruits, cassis and redcurrant. Floral notes of rose along with hints of grapefruit complete the picture The finish is fresh, offering notes of candy. On the palate the impression is fresh and full, with great aromatic persistence and balance

My Review: A light, refreshing wine. Notes of grapefruit, semi dry, bright acidity.  Finishes super cleanly.

I chose this rose to go with hors deurves which mainly included cheesy, savory selections, as well as some fresh veggies.  I chose it because I thought the lightness and acidity wouldn't disturb the palate before dinner and would perhaps even cleanse it.  This thinking was correct.  It paired nicely with the selection of snacks; neither the food nor wine overpowered each other, though nothing stood out in the pairing.

Delaney Vineyards - Cynthiana

Cynthiana

Grapevine, Texas

$29.99

From Delaney Vineyards: our Cynthiana wine is a deep cherry color with a superb smoothness that produces plum and dried raspberry aromas.

My Review: Notes of dark fruits, plum, dark cherry, perhaps blackberry.  Easy, light tannic qualities and body.  Long, smooth finish.

I was hoping this wine would go well with turkey, being slightly heavier and bolder than a typical white wine, but not as powerful as a big red wine.  Unfortunately, it was still too bold and overpowered the turkey.  Some of the side dishes went well with the wine such as the yams, squash, and stuffing.  I think the more flavorful foods held their own against it.  Sweeter dishes brought out bigger tannic flavors and spiced dishes exaggerated the fruit components.

Chateau Ste Michelle - Harvest Select Sweet Riesling

Riesling

Columbia Valley

$9.99

From Chateau Ste Michelle:rich flavors of ripe peaches balanced with crisp Washington Riesling acidity.

My Review:  Notes of apples and peaches, bright acidity, very sweet and quick, smooth finish.

I picked this Riesling to go with pumpkin pie because it has the sweetness to compete with the dessert, while also balancing all the sugar with its acidity.  It turned out to be a beautiful pairing and perhaps will become an annual favorite with my family!