The holidays are upon us! During this time of festive meals with family and friends, wine and bourbon lovers know that one of the most important parts of the Thanksgiving meal are the drink pairings! With so many flavors on the menu, and some that you only enjoy once or twice a year, selecting the right wine or bourbon to accompany your dishes is easier with a little help from your friends at Rootstock and Vine.
Top Wines for Thanksgiving
2016 Holloran Vineyards Riesling ($28): This Riesling has fresh, succulent stonefruit with a citrus backtone. It pairs well with chicken or turkey dishes.
2015 Trione Henry’s Blend – Red Blend ($46): This deep red wine is an artful blend of five classic Bordeaux varieties: 35% Cabernet Sauvignon, 34% Merlot, 13% Petit Verdot, 13% Cabernet Franc and 5% Malbec. The 2015 Henry’s blend is developing with intensity and vigor and should continue to do so for the next 5-10 years.
2016 Latour Beaujolais Villages ($23): The 2016 Beaujolais Villages presents itself in a profoundly superb garnet color. The nose releases aromas of undergrowth, humid earth and strawberry. In the mouth it is a full and round wine with aromas of wild strawberry. Pair this wine with grilled meat charcuterie and mature cheeses.
2016 Scouts Honor Red Blend ($38): Medium to deep garnet-purple colored, this full-bodied, velvety textured wine offers up baked raspberries, fruitcake, dusty soil and Chinese five spice scents with touches of tobacco and potpourri. If you’re opting for lamb dishes during the holidays, this is a good choice.
2016 Orin Swift Mercury Head Cabernet Sauvignon ($130): This wine from the Napa Valley region contains rich primary aromatics of cassis, blueberry and black cherry, complemented with hints of lavender, chaparral and sandalwood. Pair this wine with a beef or venison dish.
Laurent Perrier, Champagne, France (no vintage, $40): La Cuvée is crafted exclusively from the finest pressing of grapes. Extended cellar aging adds finesse to this fresh and elegant champagne. The citrus and white fruit’s notes and its remarkable balance are supported by a subtle effervescence, make it an ideal accompaniment to poultry and the finest fish and shellfish.
Laurent Perrier Brut Millesime, 2007 ($90): The Brut Millesime is a rare and outstanding wine that clearly expresses the specific character of a year in the Laurent-Perrier style. Some slight reduction here, this has a lemon biscuit edge and attractive toasty autolysis influence. The palate is more about stone fruits with some mellow spicy flavors building to citrus through the finish.
(Bottles are pictured left to right below.)
Three Top Bourbon/Whiskies for Thanksgiving
Four Roses Single Barrel: Four Roses’ standard 100 proof single barrel mashbill consists of 60% corn, 35% rye, and 5% malted barley. The strain of yeast used is version “V,” which is described as being delicate fruit, spicy, and creamy. Upfront, expect to be greeted with a heavy dose of rye spice immediately followed by honey, peaches, and subtle hints of brown sugar and light oak. This is truly a delicious tasting bourbon that will have you wanting another pour.
Old Forester 1910: A delightful whisky, Old Forester offers a smooth and sweet flavor and a clean, crisp finish. With an aroma of interlaced layers of buttercream, sticky toffee, cedar, and apricot, expect to taste a smooth, well-rounded mingling of sweet oatmeal raisin cookie and milk chocolate leading into caramel corn.
Mid-Winter Night’s Dram: Named after “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” by William Shakespeare, this limited release of High West Rendezvous Rye is finished in French oak port barrels. Expect to taste hints of black cherry reduction, molasses, birch root, fig jam, and gingerbread.
And a Bonus Pre-Thanksgiving dinner cocktail: Old-fashioned made with High-West Double Rye
Muddle orange slice, simple syrup, and bitters in an Old Fashioned glass. Add Double Rye and American Prairie Bourbon. Combine ingredients in a rocks glass with cubed ice and stir until chilled. Garnish with orange and lemon twist.
Retail Wine Selections at Rootstock and Vine
Aren’t sure which wines to pair with your holiday dishes? Let our knowledgeable staff help you select the right bottles for your feast. Our team is happy to help you select the right bottles to compliment your dishes and turn your holiday celebrations into experiences.
