Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, November 22, 1995 TAG: 9511220033
SECTION: EXTRA PAGE: 10 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: BETH CRITTENDEN
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
For many wine lovers, the release of the Beaujolais Nouveau on the third Thursday of November kicks off the holidays. The light, fresh style of the wine and the timing of its release often make Beaujolais Nouveau a recommended wine for a traditional Thanksgiving feast.
The celebration surrounding the release of the Beaujolais Nouveau - basically entailing drinking the wine - began about 20 years ago as a trend in Lyon, France, that spread to Paris, then to other large international markets. Today, Americans celebrate the release in many markets, including Roanoke, where valley wine shops on Thursday introduced Georges Duboeuf 1995 Nouveau and several area wine clubs gathered last weekend to taste the newly released wines.
Nouveaux are traditionally very fruity, fresh and easy-to-drink. They are best consumed chilled and are a great beginner wine for those who do not usually drink red wine. Beaujolais Nouveau is not a serious wine but rather a fun way to celebrate the first of the vintage. It is not meant to be sniffed, swirled and analyzed - just gulped and enjoyed.
Other red wine preferences were along the same light lines as Beaujolais, including Pinot Noirs and Gamay Noirs from Oregon and California. California's 1995 Beringer Nouveau was given two thumbs up, as well as Oregon's Oak Knoll Pinot Noir.
Heavier reds suggested by those planning to serve beef included a peppery Cotes du Rhone, a big California reserve Merlot from St. Francis and a Cabernet Sauvignon from Anderson's Conn Valley Vineyards.
White wines mentioned most frequently included fruity, dry Gewurztraminers, perfumy dry Rieslings, Pinot Blancs and Pinot Gris from France's Alsace region and Oregon Pinot Gris, which can be hard to find but worth the effort when you sip it with that sage stuffing!
Trimbach Pinot Blanc and Riesling from Alsace were among the recommended white wine matches, as was the Foris Vineyards dry Gewurztraminer from Southern Oregon's Rogue Valley. The abundantly floral and fruity Caymus Conundrum from California often is picked as a Thanksgiving wine as well, standing up to the multitude of sweetness and spice in the meal.
For a festive touch on Thanksgiving, you may want to pop a cork on a sparkling wine or champagne before or during the meal. A crisp Brut or Extra Dry sparkler is a great match to rich, salty appetizers, and a heavier Blanc de Noirs or Blanc de Blancs will nicely accompany the meal. Choose a dry or off-dry style, depending on your preference, keeping in mind that the sparkling wines that emphasize the fruit will better complement the varieties of sweet flavors in the dinner. The optimum serving temperature for sparkling wines is 45,F, so take them out of the refrigerator and open them right before serving and keep them chilled while open.
A particular sparkling wine mentioned in the survey was Jordan's 1990 ``J'' from California.
Virginia wineries often recommend Vidal Blanc with roast turkey and ham, or try the Horton Marsanne or Viognier for a different taste sensation from these well-made wines.
Chardonnay lovers surveyed recommended the rich Duck Pond Chardonnay from this small winery in Oregon and Forest Hill Reserve Chardonnay from the Napa Valley, which was described as ``opulent.''
As always, there are no absolutes when looking for the perfect wine, for Thanksgiving or any occasion, since the most important component of the match comes from each individual's personal preference. Think about what you have enjoyed in the past and branch out from there.
Cheers!
No turkeys among these wines:
Georges Duboeuf 1995 Nouveau (Beaujolais, France)
Beringer Nouveau (Napa Valley, Calif.)
Oak Knoll Pinot Noir (Willamette Valley, Ore.)
Trimbach Riesling (Alsace, France)
Foris Vineyards Gewurztraminer (Rogue Valley, Ore.)
Caymus Conundrum (Napa Valley, Calif.)
Jordan 1990 "J" sparkling wine (Sonoma County, Calif.)
Horton Marsanne (Virginia)
Duck Pond Chardonnay (Willamette Valley, Ore.)
THE WINE LIST runs once a month in the Extra section. Beth Crittenden is a local wine wholesaler as well as wine educator, writer and founder of the Roanoke Valley Wine Society, which meets for wine-tasting programs on the fourth Thursday of each month. Call 992-3285.
BETH CRITTENDEN is a local wine wholesaler and wine educator, writer and founder of the Roanoke Valley Wine Society, which meets on the fourth Thursday of the month. Because of the holiday, this month's meeting - a potluck - will be held Nov. 30. Call 992-3285.
by CNB