Drink This

We have spent many a Thanksgiving when the wine bottles consumed count was rivalled only by the number of sticks of butter that went into the cooking. I remember...REALLY vaguely..the year that hovered around 17 for both. ANYWAY, if you, too, like to get your vino on around the Turkey, check out these suggestions from the StinkyHusband. All of these are (of course) available at East End Wines and ALL of them are under $16/bottle.

THANKSGIVING WINE PAIRINGS

Silverwing Brut NV from Australia. Light & fresh Chardonnay Pinot Noir blend, with a floral / yeasty nose leading in to a palate of Brioche toast and lots of peachy fruit. Crisp. The Chardonnay is made using the Charmat method, with secondary fermentation in bulk tanks, and the Pinot Noir with the transfer method, where secondary fermentation takes place in bottle before being blended back in to tank after the desired age has been reached. Full, but balanced by bright acids & fine persistent bead, softer mousse. This will go very well with appetizers & opening courses. 12.97.

Sumarroca Brut 07 – This is a great crisp & clean aperitif from Spain’s first gravity-fed winery in Catalunya. Bright citrus notes with mineral on nose carry through on the refreshing palate. Great floral & mineral component in this vintage Cava made from only free-run juice. Medium body & extraction. Lively acidity & mousse. Fermented to a very dry Brut. An old favorite, that adds two years of bottle aging to the practically unheard of free-run juice production practice to make an extremely elegant wine for the money. We really, really, like it. Please check it out and see what you think. 13.97

Shine Riesling 09 - A collaboration between Heinz Eifel (Owner since 1979) and his winemaker daughter Anne Eifel-Spohr (Oenology degree in 2000). A little citrus, petroleum. Great Pfalz Riesling with classic spicy Granny Smith apple and pear aromatics, with some added peach on the palate. Almost cinnamon. “Old World wine in a New World way.” High quality, restricted yield grapes, under careful control through the modern, stainless steel winemaking process. The wines are then tasted by a committee of oenologists & sommeliers. Modern Great for the summer. A nice accompaniment to spicy Asian cusine. Bright, off-dry. 8.97.

Frey-Sohler Pinot Gris 06 - Another well structured wine from Frey-Sohler in the appellation of Rittersberg (“Peasant’s War” 1525)– high toned, with honey aroma, palate more plump than a pinot grigio, with rich minerals. Lots of extract in this wine, giving it a spicy richness. This grows out of steep, well drained granite slopes, so the acidity & mineral is definitely there, but I think the acids are more juicy, or calm, with the bottle age and warmer micro-climate. I would like this with mussels, please. Great fire-sale price to boot, for a producer whose wines would usually retail over twenty dolloraes. 14.97.

Bissey Burgundy 06 - Dark, ruby red Burgundy. Nose of macerated red fruits & spice. Generous, Light – Medium bodied red Burgundy for a song. Nice clean aromas & earthiness. Fresh & flavorful, concentrated wine. A harmonious Côte Chalonnaise from vineyards that are right on the border with AOC Givry. Rich, moderately tannic (for the grape) finish, from oak aging. This is drinking great right now, will continue to develop for another couple of years. Grilled red meats, coq au vin, Epoisses or other Burgundian cheeses, lamb, & beef bourguignon would be classic pairings for this wine. 15.97


Easton Zinfandel Amador 07 - Amador County Mountainside fruit. Deep garnet color. Black fruit aromas of sour cherry & blackberry & a nice spicy thing going on from sweet & toasty oak. Big ripe mouthfeel with juicy acids and wild berry, currant, & light raisiny fruit in balance, a touch of smoke. Soft & creamy rich tannic structure picked up from French oak barrel aging, & the alcohol & fruit are in balance - sleek. There is a lengthy finish. This is a great value, drinking now. It is the eleventh vintage of this wine that is the introduction to the line of five Easton zinfandels. This one is pretty awesome. 13.97.