The Wine RackBy Suzanne and Parks Hall
Drinking wine is fun. But many people make it too complicated. That’s why for more than 10 years, we’ve tried hundreds of wines and shared what we’ve discovered with newspaper, magazine and now Travellady.com readers. Our approach to wine tasting may not be scientific. But it is down-to-earth. Since we believe wine and food are a natural combination, we consider that when trying wines and make pairing suggestions for every wine we recommend. You may not agree with all our choices. But you can be assured that the wines we recommend, whether priced at $10 or $40, represent good value. And speaking of prices, please remember that they can vary from city to city and that some wines may not be available everywhere. TOP PICK
2000 With its slight aroma of cling peaches, this pleasant, easy drinking white from France is well balanced, smooth and quite fruity. We detected nice peach, pear and apricot flavors, enhanced by almonds and some spicy undertones. The pear tones keep the wine, clean, crisp and moderately dry. The apricot and peach flavors produce a nice thick feeling in the mouth and linger on the palate. Pairing wines with traditional holiday dinners can be tricky. There are many variations on the holiday theme. This wine, however, should go well with almost everything on the table. It’s a good match for roasted turkey or chicken or baked ham. It will also hold up against not-too-sweet sweet potatoes, mashed white potatoes and acorn or butternut squash. As a starter, pair it with Waldorf salad or your favorite mild cheeses. OTHER GOOD BETS THIS MONTH
2000 Gold in color with a green tinge, this delicious white fills the nose with the aromas of chilled tropical fruits and a little mint. The apricot, citrus and green apple flavors are smooth and slightly understated. Oysters on the half shell as an elegant holiday appetizer, baked ham, roasted turkey or chicken or a green salad with a light vinaigrette dressing are good food matches. 2001 If you’re looking for a red wine for the holiday table, this blend from France’s Rhone region is a good choice. It has a grassy, slightly herbal nose and a pleasant, subtle flavor of ripe berries. Moderately dry, it’s another good choice with roasted chicken or turkey, baked ham and acorn or butternut squash. As a starter, pair it with mild cheeses. Image by S. Parks Halls Back to the Wine Rack index page |
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