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.

credit cache dot wine dot com.jpg            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.