11/17/08 Thanksgiving

Welcome to Vine to Wine this is your host Linda Moran. Next week the eating and drinking season begins. To me it is official when I begin planning Thanksgiving! With that in mind, I want to dedicate this program to looking at what is new both in wine and food for the 2008 Thanksgiving Celebrations! Okay so here I am flipping through the latest food and wine focused magazines to see what is different for Thanksgiving and what do I find but  an article recommending wines under twelve dollars to use for making punch during the holidays! Both red and white wines are recommended. Whites such as Banrock Station Riesling from Australia and Ruffino Libaio Chardonnay from Italy were great recommendations. But the one that intrigued me the most was Tapena Rose made by Freixenet, a Spanish producer known widely for their sparkling wine. This still Rose' is recommended for its zest and strawberry characteristic. I can see that. I have to admit - I have never used a Rose' to make a punch or a wine cocktail but I can totally see how a Grenache based wine such as that could work. But the star selection as the called it the one wine best for Sangria type punch was Red Guitar Tempranillo Garnacha. A juicy red wine again a wine containing Grenache in the blend. Maybe we are on to something here. I mean if we could make a really nice wine punch from an inexpensive wine I say why not? For these recommendations and more pick up a copy of the November Food & Wine magazine. They also have a recipe for a Texan's version of Sangria. Most of all enjoy planning your Thanksgiving. Remember to send your wine questions to linda at vine to wine dot net and thank you for joining me on today's Vine to Wine.