As 2019 comes to an end I am left looking back on yet another year of fond memories, fantastic people and incredible dinning experiences. With the holidays well underway, I am in the midst of planning for dinners and after work get togethers with friends and family. For yet another year, I wanted to share with you my five favourite wines and what to pair them with this year to ensure you have the most fabulous of festive seasons along with me!
Appetizers
I am a sucker for for a sparkling wine and I fell in love with Vieni Momenti Sparkling this year. In my family, we make a bun stuffed with sweet & savoury minced meat called “Petit Cochons” which is a family tradition. Similar to a French Canadian meat pie or tortière, it’s how we start the majority of our festive family get togethers. Salty appetizers play beautifully with Momenti because it is lightly acidic and playfully sweet. You’ll find it’s the perfect way to start your next get together for the holidays.
Stuffing & Potatoes
It felt to me like 2019 was the year of Rosé – which was perfectly fine with me! Stuffing and potatoes, or starchy sides, sometimes need something light to pair with them in order to avoid feeling too heavy. Trius quickly made it’s way into my heart over the years and hands down my favourite rosé of the year goes to Trius Rosé 2018. With hints of summer fruit and an easy drinking acidity, I encourage you to think pink this holiday season. And of course don’t forget that for those of you looking to get me a gift, the #myWineLife wine subscription is on my letter to Santa!
Turkey or Ham
Funny enough, many people may think that I would pair the main course with white based on traditional pairing ideas. But this year, I am going to tell you to pick up a bottle (or case ?) of Tom Gore Cabernet Sauvignon. This beautifully executed Californian wine isn’t the punch in the face that Cabs used to be. It’s elegant dark fruit and leathery notes allow for turkey or ham to shine. Not to mention have a bit of turkey with cranberry sauce and then take a sip? Heaven.
Parsnips & Carrots
When I cook at home, I like to get experimental. When it comes to the holidays that sometimes is something I have to curve to ensure everyone enjoys the classics – except for when it comes to the veggies. This is where my creativity shines. I add smoked paprika and cashews to my carrots, or fresh dill and cumin to my parsnips. Big flavours deserve a big pairing and there’s nothing quite as powerful this year as Concha y Toro Marques de Casa Concha Cabernet Sauvignon. When you want a powerful glass of wine, this is the one for you this year. Smokey, leathery, fruity and positively delicious, it pairs perfectly with playful sides and things outside of the box where you get to shine. Try it and see what you think!
Dessert
Spiced White from Grange of Prince Edward Winery is a wine that puts apple cider to shame. Focusing on “yellow fruits balance perfectly with cinnamon, cardamom, star anise & clove” – I fell in love with the playfulness of this wine and it’s ability to end a perfect festive meal. Pairing it with dessert will show the full body of the wine and it’s aromatics. I would opt to serve it with cheesecake or a pie, and personally would shy away from apple or tart fruit desserts. But the whole thing about pairings is to get playful and that’s what Grange of Prince Edward Winery is all about and it’ why I love them.
These are the top 5 amid a sea of incredible wines. And I hope that these pairings help to make your holidays extra special as they will for me and those I love.
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Don’t forget to be kind & laugh a little more this year
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