| Choosing just the right wine to go with a holiday | | | | dishes. Since red wines are traditionally heartier, |
| meal can be a challenge. You might at first | | | | you'll need to be selective. Pinot Noir is simple and |
| consider a bold, daring wine for the special | | | | flavorful enough to go with everything - and |
| occasion, but you don't want to risk | | | | satisfy a wide range of palates. You can find very |
| overshadowing the meal itself, especially one | | | | nice bottles of Pinot Noir for under $20 by |
| which the cooks have painstakingly worked on for | | | | Meridian and Gallo of Sonoma. For the more |
| hours or even days. However, if you choose | | | | adventurous crowd, you might try the Beaujolais |
| something too subtle, say something fruity and | | | | Nouveau. This fruity wine goes very nicely with |
| light, stronger-flavored meats or other highly | | | | turkey, and it's perfectly seasonal, since it's |
| flavored main courses could make your wine | | | | traditionally released on the third Thursday in |
| selection seem bland, and definitely forgettable. Of | | | | November. Duboeuf is a consistently reliable |
| course, whatever you choose needs to satisfy | | | | Beaujolais Nouveau producer. |
| the wide range of wine preferences of a diverse | | | | For traditional Christmas dinner featuring ham, you |
| group of friends and family - some knowledgeable | | | | might want to try a Zinfandel (red, not white). Its |
| and possibly particular wine consumers, and some | | | | blackberry and raspberry fruit flavors, with a dash |
| very occasional wine drinkers with perhaps simpler | | | | of pepper and spice is loaded with flavor. Again, |
| tastes. So, where to begin? Here are some | | | | some very nice Zinfandels such as Rabbit Ridge |
| recommendations to consider for that special | | | | and Ravenswood's Vintner's Blend can be picked |
| holiday meal. | | | | up for less than $20, and are excellent choices. |
| For Thanksgiving, many people enjoy the | | | | With lighter meals, such as cold meats and hams, |
| traditional roast turkey dinner. Sauvignon Blanc is a | | | | a nice Chianti would be a very nice pairing. Chianti |
| very nice choice to go along with it - it's crisp and | | | | Classico 2001 Bordo Salcetino, an excellent choice, |
| earthy, and complements the herbs in the turkey | | | | can be had for under $15. You'll want to be |
| and stuffing dishes well. A good, dependable yet | | | | specific about the "Chianti Classico" designation, |
| affordable choice for Sauvignon Blanc is Beringer | | | | regardless of producer - it means that the wine |
| Vineyards (Napa Valley, 2004, $12) - it's zingy and | | | | comes from the higher-quality Classico part of |
| fruity, with a great earthy taste, and would taste | | | | Tuscany's Chianti district. |
| wonderful with a turkey dinner. (The year doesn't | | | | A nice port or sherry is a wonderful finish to a |
| matter so much, since Beringer is such a reliable | | | | great meal, providing a sweet, yet very light, and |
| producer of Sauvignon Blanc.) | | | | slightly intoxicating finale to your feast. |
| Another nice Sauvignon Blanc is the Ferrari-Carano | | | | Late-bottled vintage port is fairly inexpensive, yet |
| (Sonoma Valley, $15), especially for a | | | | rich and satisfying. Quinta do Noval LB Vintage |
| rosemary-based dish. An alternative wine for your | | | | Character is a very nice LBV for under $20. |
| turkey dinner is a nice Riesling - good with spicy | | | | So, indulge your personal tastes as well as those |
| dishes as well. One solid recommendation is the | | | | of your varied friends and relatives at your |
| Pikes Clare Valley Riesling ($18). | | | | holiday feast. And, don't forget to set aside a |
| What if your holiday meal is not a traditional | | | | special bottle for when the festivities wind down |
| turkey dinner? You might consider a nice red | | | | as well. |
| that's versatile enough to go with a variety of | | | | |