Wine Pairings for All Occasions
The holiday season is here, so there’s no better time to start planning the menu for your special gatherings. Choosing the perfect wine to please a variety of tastes, textures and aromas is no easy task. For the ultimate holiday wine pairing guide, Petty’s Meat Market provided a wine “cheat sheet” that will please even the most particular palate joining you this holiday season.
Thanksgiving
From appetizers to white and dark turkey meat, savory side dishes and pumpkin pie, Thanksgiving represents the widest range of flavors and possible combinations. Known for its gentle aromas and flavors of red and black fruit, Pinot Noir’s acidity brings out the juiciness in the turkey and some side dishes. Petty’s Recommends: Meiomi – Pinot Noir, $20
For Unannounced Visitors
During the holidays you never know when friends and family may stop by unannounced. Whether they’re passing through town or visiting the area, spontaneous entertaining doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Plan ahead and keep a blend of both red and white wine on hand. “Blends are much more approachable,” said Shirley Jacobus with Petty’s.
Petty’s Recommends: Cryptic – Red Blend, $14 or Seven Hills – Pinot Gris, $14
Hanukkah
With over eight days to celebrate, Petty’s is your go-to source for kosher wine. Petty’s carries a variety of both sweet and dry quality Israeli wines that will complement the latkes, fried treats and roasted meat. Petty’s Recommends: Yarden Inc. and Galil Mountain Wines, $14 – $32
Christmas
There are several classic dishes served at Christmas, so match the wine with the main protein dish. Sauvignon Blanc is one of the top white wines for white meat since it tends to bring out the meat’s best flavors without compromising the recipe. Cabernet Sauvignon is a full-bodied red wine meant for bold dishes and juicy red meats.
Petty’s Recommends: Lois Grüner Veltliner – Sauvignon Blanc, $15 and Fieldstone – Cabernet Sauvignon, $20
New Year’s
Celebrate the New Year by popping a bottle of Champagne with friends and family. Only bubbly produced in the Champagne region of France can be properly labeled Champagne. Brut from Roderer Estate has a blend of two classic Champagne grape varieties – Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. The resulting wine is crisp with complex white fruits, spice and nuttiness.
Petty’s Recommends: Roderer Estate – Brut, $20