The Thanksgiving season is
approaching and at Varsity Liquors we are eager to guide you with your holiday
wine pairings. While shopping, relax and enjoy and taste of wine and remember
Thanksgiving is about friends, family and giving thanks. So, open your
favorites and open many! Let’s explore several of the annual favorites.
For starters, try the newly released Bitch Bubbly Sparkling Grenache/Shiraz blend from South Australia. This delicious wine is pale
red/strawberry in color and hints vibrant sweet strawberries, sweet raspberries
and berries with some toffee notes on the nose. This is a fabulous way to start
the day!
For the red wine enthusiasts, the David Bruce 2005 Russian River Valley Pinot Noir is a wonderful
choice! This wine denotes an elegant expression of rich cherries, cranberries,
rose petals, cinnamon and vanilla. The fine tannin structure and long finish of
this wine will leave you wanting more.
For Zinfandel lovers, the 2007 Marietta
Sonoma County
Zinfandel was aged in French oak for sixteen months and was released in
January of this year. This deeply colored Zinfandel has beautiful dark fruit
aromatics of blackberry, cassis, and wild raspberry. On the palate this wine
has great texture and intense flavors of over ripe strawberry, raspberry pie
and a touch of spice. It finishes with medium length and firm tannins.
You also will enjoy the 2005 Dry Creek Mariner Meritage blend. This wine utilizes all five
of the noble Bordeaux varieties and displays compelling aromas of wild black
cherry, blueberry and dried flowers. The fruit shines through with succulent
cherry, dark chocolate, and cassis that integrate seamlessly with silky smooth
tannins. The finish is memorable for its lingering fruit flavors that balance
perfectly with creamy vanilla oak nuances.
The white wine choice for the season is the 2007 Conundrum White wine has powerful
aromas of green apple, tangerine zest and honeysuckle. Core flavors of apricot,
melon, pear and light vanilla and beautifully balanced by the sparkling acidity
of citrus fruits. The lush, creamy, mouth-filling texture is heightened by
powerful floral and bright tropical fruit notes and leads to a full, powerful
finish.
Try the 2007 Naked
Snoqualmie Riesling from Columbia Valley. This wine is organically famed
and produced and offers bright aromas of spicy apple and pear. These spice
characteristics are carried through the palate with an off-dry finish which is
clean and soft.
An incredibly versatile wine when it comes to pairing
with food is the 2008 New Gewurz from Alexander Valley Vineyards.
This wine greets you with ripe flavors of pear, apple, grapefruit and lychee
and a bit of spice. At the front, there is a hint of sweetness that then flows
toward a beautiful dry minerality at the back end.
For dessert, try the award-winning Oliver Creekbend Vidal Blanc Ice Wine. This is Indiana’s only true ice wine and is
made with grapes frozen on the vine. Rich, concentrated and intensely sweet,
this flavorful dessert wine is the best way to end your holiday feast. Enjoy
with your best pumpkin or apple pie.
All of these wines are available at Varsity Liquors,
located at 687 N. Green River Road in Evansville.
