Thanksgiving Libations
The biggest challenge for the Thanksgiving chef is the turkey. If it is cooked too much it
will be dry, not enough and it will be un-servable. Perfect timing in the oven shows its
delicate and subtle flavors best.
Turkey is not a fatty foul. Astringents found in red wine,
known as tannins, go well with fatty foods. The fat in a marbled steak polishes the rough
molecule that composes tannic acid. Oak and grape tannins found in red wine will dominate
your taste buds and overwhelm delicate, lean cuts of meat like turkey (and fish too).
Red wine is the popular choice for fine dining, but at
Thanksgiving a chilled glass of riesling is the perfect accompaniment for the dishes served.
Riesling compliments turkey by contrasting its earthy, delicate flavor with an exotic, lush
presence. Turkey requires attentive preparation, so why foil the cook's efforts with a tannic
red that negates its flavor?
There are many white wines regal enough to sit on our
Thanksgiving table. Look to Alsace, France for quality riesling, pinot gris, and gewürztraminer.
Of course German rieslings are wonderful with turkey, but if you're looking for something drier,
New Zealand offers zesty rieslings that contain no residual sugar.
Watch out for whites that have been stored in new oak barrels.
Pass on the California-style chardonnay aged in new oak barrels. Instead consider 'unwooded'
choices such as French Chablis or new world virgin chardonnay from Australia or New Zealand.
If you must drink red wine, consider the barely tannic
Beaujolais. Versions from the Cru Villages are excellent quality. Pinot noir can be a good
choice too, but be wary of tannic, old world styles. Cabs, zins, syrahs, and merlots are too
robust for the delicate fowl. Their tannins will overwhelm the subtle flavors of the meal.
Whites such as viognier, torrontes, albarino, pinot gris,
gewürztraminer, and gruner veltliner have the complexity to handle the traditional Thanksgiving
menu. Sparkling wine and Champagne are very good candidates too.
Rosé is another choice for this traditional meal.
'Pink wine,' as the Europeans call it, offers floral, delicate strawberry and raspberry flavors.
Pink wine also pairs well with ham and other pink foods. It is also the wine to pair with
leafy salads. Ask for rosé with a decent dose of acidity. Make sure to buy a recent vintage,
since it is a wine meant to be drunk young. Consider sparkling rose as well.
Regardless of your budget, there are white and pink wines
with enough stature for even the most elaborate spreads. You may have to educate your
red-wine-only guests a little, but most will welcome a new experience. A thoughtful wine
selection creates a synergy that will be remembered long after the meal is over.
Case Discounts
Libations Wine & Spirits offers 10% discount on all cases of wine mix or match.
Join us most Wednesdays to sample wine, beer, and spirits in-store, at no charge.
Every Wednesday from 4:30pm to 7:00pm we pour samples for you.
Join us on selected Fridays too.
Upcoming Tasting Events
November 18, 2009
Thanksgiving Wines
Louis Jadot Beaujolais Rose $11.49
The White Knight Viognier $11.99
Cartlidge & Brown Pinot Noir $14.99
Gruet Blanc de Blanc Sparkling $24.99
Conundrum White Table Wine $13.49
As always, you will receive a 15% discount on wines,
and a 10% discount on beers during all tasting events!
SPECIAL PRICING DURING TASTING HOURS
Wednesday tasting hours are 4:30 to 7:00 pm.
Each sample is a one ounce portion to adults 21 and older.
Limit four different samples per person.
Libations Wine and Spirits is a full service liquor store serving
Aurora, Parker, Centennial, Tallyn's Reach, Saddle Rock,
Pride's Crossings, Shenandoah, Park Villas, Inverness, Meadow Hills, Foxfield,
Cottonwood, Pleasant Run, Heritage Eagle Bend and Littleton, Colorado area.
Libations has a comprehensive wine inventory, award winning beer selections,
all of your favorite spirits and few unusual items as well.
Whether you are driving from the DTC, (Denver Tech Center), downtown Denver, Parker,
Aurora, Castle Rock, Franktown or Inverness, Libations is on your way home.
We are located in Southeast Aurora, near Cherry Creek Reservoir, at Arapahoe Crossings.
Our staff are knowledgeable about wine, beer, liqueurs, and spirits, and are
always eager to serve you.
You must be 21 years or older to shop at Libations Wine & Spirits.
Libations Wine & Spirits
Arapahoe & Parker Roads
Northeast corner at Arapahoe Crossings
6554 South Parker Road, Aurora, Colorado 80016
Monday - Saturday, 10am to 10pm
Sunday from 11am to 6pm
Phone: 303-766-0575
info@libationswines.com
libationswines.com
coupon
Thanksgiving is the largest wine holiday of the year.
More wine is sold to go with the Thanksgiving meal,
than for any other event.
Turkey is a delicate meat.
Tannins can overwhelm its subtle flavors.
The tannins in red wine pair well with fatty food.
Fat pulls the astringent tannin molecule off the tongue.
Since turkey has very little fat,
the tannis from red wine will seem more pronounced,
as you drink the wine with the bird.
This week we feature a rose, viognier, pinot noir,
chardonnay based sparkling wine from New Mexico, and a white blend.
These wines have been carefully chosen to pair well with turkey.
We are pouring samples from 4:30pm to 7:00pm.
Over the holidays, the Libations newsletter will be featuring food and wine pairing.
We will include a favorite recipe and a few wine choices from our eclectic inventory,
perfect to maximize your gastronomic experience.
