I’m actually proud of myself for not writing an article on wine pairing for Thanksgiving. Let’s face it, wine is a personal choice, subjective as we like to say. Who needs a thousand articles guiding us as to what we should or should not drink with the Thanksgiving meal. As an example, I’ve read over and over again how Zinfandel is one wine that should be included in this meal. Hell, I’ve recommended it myself. After trying it over and over again, I’ve only been successful one time with the pairing, and that was this year (2013 Klinker Brick if you need to know). All the other times the wine just did not work. Too many tannins and too much alcohol. The wine I found to be most successful this year was Grenache. Yes, Grenache can have tannins, but they are less aggressive than the latter. Writer’s Block Grenache from Steele Winery out of Lake County California was absolutely perfect with my Thanksgiving meal. I may write an article again on Thanksgiving and wine, it’s in my blood as a writer. However, I would like to know what your best wine experience was during Thanksgiving. Stop by the store and tell me, or send me an email. I would love the input.
Have you ever noticed that Fall is the forgotten season? How many times have you heard October and November referred to as winter? Unless I’m mistaken, winter begins in the third week of December and ends in March. Why is it that when it rains a lot in October, people say…”Wow! We are sure having a wet winter.” Or, if it is sunny most of October you will hear…” I think we are having an Indian Summer.” Not true by the way, look up Indian Summer and find out. I could be off my rocker here, but I rarely hear Fall mentioned. Summer and Winter yes, but Fall seems to fall off most people’s radar. Fall and Spring are my two favorite Seasons. Spring gets a lot of attention, but Fall is forgotten.
I am now working on my “Top Forty Wines Under Twenty Bucks” for 2016. It’s crazy, but I think I was a little hard on most of the wines I tried. I only found 39 wines in my Moleskine with a B+ or higher. I’m still tasting, and many of the wines I try in the next few weeks could make the list. However, this is the first year I had so few with a higher grade. Most interesting to me, was the amount of white wines that showed so well. My list this year will include an inordinate amount of white wines.
I also have decided on my winery of the year. I’ve only spilled the beans to a couple of folks, but I am very excited about this winery and what they are doing. It’s hardly a new winery, but the juice they are putting out is fantastic and affordable. I should be revealing my choice in mid-December. Stay tuned!
Speaking of mid-December, I’m getting very excited for my trip to London/Paris/Champagne at the end of December and into January with my lovely girlfriend Susie. We have it all planned out, and we are both trying to slow down time so that we can enjoy each day leading up to the trip. I have my top forty list and winery of the year articles to finish up. Big projects for sure. Christmas is coming and family time is important. England is just around the corner, but not before we enjoy the last days of Fall, family and friends.
Cheers!
Stan The Wine Man
