Wine Pairings

Wine Pairings. I’m Greg Martin with today’s Fruit Grower Report.

I’m a big fan of Washington wines but my palate is fairly simple. I love a big, bold red wine like a Cabernet. I would drink it with pretty much anything. Kristen Alexander, the new Director of Communication with the Washington Wine Commission helps to educate me.

ALEXANDER: Washington has a wide variety of superior wines that pair perfectly with your Thanksgiving turkey and all your trimmings. But when you think about Thanksgiving you also want something that not only compliments a bird - usually, but also your moms secret stuffing recipe and your cousin’s oh so buttery you want to sing potatoes and all those rich sauces so you need versatility. You should be thinking about a light to medium bodied fruity wine with enough acidity to keep your palate refreshed all the way to the pumpkin pie.

She recommends having both red and white wines at the table. The old notions of certain wines for certain foods has really relaxed over time.

ALEXANDER: You really want to keep the big, bold stuff till after dinner because you do not want to over power your Thanksgiving turkey. Chardonnay can be a great choice. I would go easy on the oak. Zesty whites like an off dry Riesling or a Gewürztraminer are popular this time of year because they are really versatile.

For more ideas be sure and check with the wine steward at your local grocer.

That’s today’s Fruit Grower Report. I’m Greg Martin on the Ag Information Network.