Tag Archives: thanksgiving

Top Thanksgiving Wines, Part I

November is our favorite time of the year at Bottles, which is why our team spends a good bit of the year thinking about you, your Thanksgiving dinner, and the bottles that will make your dinner sing. Out of the thousands of wines we taste each year, our nine November selections must meet the following criteria:

a) they must taste good
b) they must be agile enough to complement the Thanksgiving dinner as enjoyed on the whole
c) they must represent a good value
d) they must taste good.

Did we mention they must taste good?

Here are the sparkling and white wines that we’ll be drinking this November 23. Stay tuned next week for our rosé and red wine choices.

Terre di Marca Prosecco, Italy
Our favorite Prosecco for the second year running. It’s dry and full of expressive bubbles, it’s organic, and it comes in a cool looking bottle. What better way to toast to your guests’ health?
$13.99

Gérard Bertrand Crémant, France
A velvety soft and creamy French sparkler that’s less acidic and bracing than a true Champagne at twice the price, meaning you can sip on it through the entire Thanksgiving meal. This is the bottle (or two, or three) to have on hand for special company.
$19.99

Pere Mata Cava, Spain
The great thing about Cavas is that they’re bone-dry, elegant, and wallet-friendly. The Pere Mata in particular has terrific citrus and floral notes that will complement everything from that rich turkey and gravy to your after-dinner slice of pie.
$17.99

Dry Creek Chenin Blanc, California
Here’s the perfect choice for an all-purpose Thanksgiving white, satisfying both your aunt who loves Sauvignon Blanc and your cousin Marie who only drinks Chardonnay. It’s dry, crisp, and refreshing with a subtle baked apple and vanilla quality. Yes, please.
$12.99

Michel Caillot “Les Herbeux,” France
Ah, Mersault! From the heart of France, this rich and creamy, understated yet persistent, incredibly floral and expressive Chardonnay will knock your socks off. Mersault is the Chardonnay that even non-Chardonnay drinkers love. It’s. That. Good. Treat yourself!
$34.99

Happy Thanksgiving!

(prices subject to change)

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Cocktails For A Crowd

When entertaining at home there’s perhaps no more stressful time than those first few minutes when guests have arrived, but you’ve yet to light the candles, put the roast in the oven, or get dressed. 

To lessen that crunch-time agita, consider setting out a simple but impressive drinks spread that your guests can easily help themselves to while you finish your prep. And with just a little bit of advance planning, you can offer bar-quality cocktails without having to play bartender when there’s so much else to do. 

What we like best about this first recipe, created by Kayleigh Speck, bar manager at The East End, is that you can make it three days in advance. This means you can have your Thanksgiving cocktails done and off your mind on the Tuesday before. 

One batch of this seasonally-spot-on and absolutely delicious recipe makes enough for a welcome cocktail for 8-10 people. It’s a snap to make, and can be easily stored and served in 33oz glass swing-top bottles. We sell this version at Bottles for just $5.99 (plus tax).

So whip up and bottle a batch or two on Tuesday and forget about it until Thursday, just before your guests arrive. All you’ll have to do then is set the bottles out on ice, alongside cocktail glasses and a bowl of orange peels for garnish, then get back to the business of the million last minute bits that will need your attention.
The Apple of My Eye, For A Crowd
8 oz bourbon
8 oz apple brandy
6 oz sweet vermouth
4 oz cointreau
3 oz water (for dilution)
8 – 10 dashes Angostura Bitters
Garnish: orange peel

Makes approximately 32 oz, enough for 8-10 guests

Combine all ingredients and mix thoroughly. This batch can be pre-bottled up to 3 days in advance, sealed in latch top bottles, and refrigerated. Serve chilled, poured into cocktail glasses and garnished with an orange peel.

Equally as impressive – and just as easy – is the tried, true, traditional and totally cool punchbowl presentation. All that the recipe below, also created by Kayleigh, requires is that you 
pour all of the ingredients together in a punchbowl over a big block of ice just before you guests arrive. (And if you forget to prepare your large-format ice the night before, don’t fret: the punch is just as good over individual ice cubes in the punch mugs.)
FINE-Apple Punch, For A Crowd
Makes approximately 32 oz, enough for 8-10 guests
6 oz gin
2 oz cointreau
½ oz Allspice Dram***
6 oz lemon juice
8 oz pineapple juice
10 oz sparkling apple cider (non-alcohol)
Large format ice (formed in a bundt pan, or large cubes)
Garnish: cinnamon stick

 
Combine all ingredients in a large punch bowl over large ice cubes or an ice-mold. To serve, ladle into punch glasses and garnish with a cinnamon stick.

***A note on Allspice Dram: this bitter and super sweet rum based liqueur is spiced (with allspice, natch), and is a key component in many of the tiki drinks that Kayleigh and her team make at The East End. It’s also terrific in an Old Fashioned, and several tequila-based cocktails. Given its unique flavor and versatility, It should be on any serious home bar.

Happy Thanksgiving!

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(prices subject to change)

The Top White Wines For Thanksgiving

Our entire team gathered one Sunday night after closing to taste through the Thanksgiving wines that our Wine Director, Nick, selected this year. The consensus? They’re all winners. There wasn’t a loser among them (and we have a really opinionated staff. Really. Opinionated.) That said, there are marked differences among each bottle. We encourage you to grab a staff member for help in selecting the style that will match your palate.

Last week we shared our red wine picks. Herewith, the whites:

terre
Corvezzo Terre di Marca Prosecco, Italy
Delicious, organic sparkling wine, new to the store, which has just a whisper of the fruitiness
you want to enhance Thanksgiving flavors. Perfect for toasts, pairing, and cocktails. $13.99


Domaine Bernier Chardonnay, The Loire, France
A tasty, un-oaked chardonnay that’s loved even by those who don’t typically like chards. (Believe us.) It’s perfect for when you want an all-around great white with value. $11.99

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Godeval Godello, Galicia, Spain
A versatile dry Spanish white that will go with everything on the table and stands on its own as an aperitif. Great minerality! $17.99

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Mount Eden “Wolff” Chardonnay, California
A great barrel aged chardonnay that has a bit more structure for the oak-loving ‘Cali-Chard’ drinker at the table. $21.99

Cheers!

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The Top Red Wines for Your Thanksgiving Table

Everyone has opinions about which wines pair best with Thanksgiving dinner.

Some say only drink Beaujolais, some dictate pinot noir. Some suggest drinking bubbly wine throughout the entire meal (let’s have dinner at their house!), some suggest pairing a different wine with each course.

None of the above are wrong, of course. The only wrong wine to serve with the most written about meal of all time is the one you don’t like.

The tack we take for you, our loyal, trusting friends, is not to demand that you drink one style, but rather to suggest a variety of turkey-and-fixins’-friendly wines to meet all palates. Want to serve Italian wine? We have one for you. Rather show your love of the USA? We got that, too. Any of the wines below will be do what a good Thanksgiving wine is supposed to do: taste good and support the glorious flavors on the table.

Herewith, our top red wine picks for Thanksgiving 2016.

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Durban Beaumes de Venise, Rhone Valley, France

A crowd-pleasing red blend of grenache and syrah that’s not too light nor too heavy. Its ‘old world’ finish (i.e., dry, subtle and earthy) won’t dominate the meal you’ve slaved over, either. $19.99

primarious_red
Primarius Pinot Noir, Oregon
This is the wine that will be so popular on the 24th that you’ll chide yourself for not purchasing more. It’s a velvety, well-crafted pinot noir from a great producer that everyone will enjoy – the classic turkey pairing that never disappoints. $16.99

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Tami Nero d’Avola, Sicily

Looking for an off-the-beaten path wine with great pedigree? The Tami has that distinctive Italian feel without a crazy price tag. And it’s made by Arianna Occhipinti – the current darling of the wine world. $19.99

yon_red
2012 Chateau Yon, Saint-Emilion, Bordeaux, France

A classic style, this merlot / cabernet blend is everything you would expect from a Right Bank Bordeaux (balanced fruit, smooth) that is ready to drink now, at a phenomenal price. $21.99

anitgal_red2
Antigal Uno Malbec, Argentina

A smooth and supple red that perfectly compliments the more bold dishes on your table. Malbec is a Thanksgiving best seller for us year after year. If it ain’t broken, don’t fix it!  $19.99

Tune in next week for our top picks for the white wine drinkers at your table

Cheers!

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3 Thanksgiving Drink Menus – Free Printables!

Printable Thanksgiving Drink Menus

You’re hosting Thanksgiving for the first, second or twentieth time. Your friend who makes an incredible oyster stuffing is coming for dinner and your cousin who spent two years in Italy will be there. You stare at your beers, wines, and cocktails and feel a twinge of doubt. Will your family like these? Does this pair well with turkey? What about dessert? 

Here at Bottles, we have answers to all these questions – what cocktails, wines, and beers to serve that will delight your friends and family. We’ve put together 3 Thanksgiving drink menus that differ according to the size of your group: An Intimate Gathering, Mid-Sized Party, or a Large Group.

Click below to download and print the shopping list and 3 drink menus!

Download & Print the Shopping List  >
Intimate Gathering Drink Menu >
Mid-Sized Party Drink Menu >
Large Group Drink Menu >

Small

INTIMATE GATHERING (for 5-8 people)

BEER

Leipzinger Gose – A German beer brewed with salt and coriander, this sour style is incredibly refreshing and will pair beautifully with turkey.  4.8% ABV

Saison Dupont Cuvée Dry Hopping – Every year, Dupont’s Master Brewer makes a special dry-hopped version of this benchmark Belgian saison – delightful with stuffing! 6.5% ABV

St. Bernardus Tripel – Belgian yeast creates a banana and herbal flavor that makes a strong beer seemingly light. Great for the main course or even with pie! 8.0% ABV

Unibroue Maudite – Think rich, dark and malty! Maudite is a Belgian Strong Dark Ale with spice notes of cinnamon and nutmeg is heavenly with sweet potatoes. 8.0% ABV

WINE

Birichino ‘St. Georges’ Zinfandel – Planted by a bootlegger just south of Santa Cruz in the 1920s, this California Zinfandel has a lighter touch than some of its jammier California counterparts. A lovely balance of acidity and tannin.

Broc Cellars Grenache – A heavenly blend of deep plum, rich raspberry and star anise, this Grenache is a great example of fruit flavors without a syrupy sugary finish. Bright acidity creates a refreshingly smooth wine that will sing with roasted vegetables and stuffing.

Tascante ‘Buonara’ Carricante – An amazing example of tradition in winemaking and sheer gumption. The Carricante grape has grown on the slopes of active volcano Mount Etna for over a thousand years. The volcanic soil provides an unbelievable mineral structure to this white wine that is unlike any other region. Rich and complex with a slight note of salt, I can’t imagine a better white to serve with turkey.

APERITIF – Lillet Citron Cocktail – Quince & Apple’s Citrus Syrup is a wonderful balance of sweetness, acidity, and savory for a cocktail base to wonderfully complement the citrus notes in Lillet.

DINNER FEATURE – Paper Kite Cocktail – While slightly bitter, the spectacularly mellow Henry McKenna Bourbon plays off the vanilla and orange notes in the Aperol and bitters. This whiskey is not for the faint of heart with its devilish jalapeno flavors, high proof and rich finish to impress your guests.

POST FEAST – Lazzaroni Amaro – Serve neat! Amari is a thinking man’s liqueur. There are so many flavors in one bottle – gentian, rhubarb, sandalwood, cloves, dried citrus, all designed to mystify, entrance and delight your taste buds. Nothing can top the glorious sensation of an amari after a leisurely harvest feast with friends.

Medium

MID-SIZED GATHERING (for 12-15 people)

BEER

Two Roads Ol’ Factory Pils – Brewed by a nearby Connecticut brewery, Two Roads, Ol’ Factory Pils is traditional in concept with a twist – dry hops. This will pair well with the bird! 5.0% ABV

Founder’s All-Day IPA – Every holiday needs a session beer, low in proof but high in flavor that will be able to satisfy your craft beer cousins and uncles who just wants an ice cold beer. 4.7% ABV

Lagunitas Censored – ‘Censored’ is a great copper ale with a hoppy profile, molasses and maple flavors that will complement the myriad of flavors on the table.  6.75% ABV

Foolproof Raincloud Porter – Porters are great for lengthy meals and gatherings. They are lower alcohol than a stout, but still rich and flavorful. Foolproof is a local favorite amongst the Bottles staff! 6.5% ABV

WINE

L’Argentier Cinsault – A great value from the Languedoc, I adore this Cinsault for its dark cherry and raspberry flavors with just a hint of vanilla.  Medium bodied with a soft finish, a hint of cardamom will complement the roasted sweet potatoes and pair well with roasted vegetables.

In Situ Pinot Noir – Chile is producing stellar Pinot Noir that is putting California to shame and In Situ is no exception. Dark, rich plum and cherry flavors are met with super soft tannins for a smooth finish.

Dr. Pauly Dry Riesling – Look no further than Mosel, Germany for a dry Riesling that mingles fruit, acidity and mineral together to create a dry and zippy wine. For Riesling skeptics, Dr. Pauly Dry Riesling even has a Dry to Sweet scale on the bottle, reassuring your guests before their first sip that they are about to experience a wine that will balance the savory meal with a refreshing acidity. 

APERITIF – Pomegranate Cardamom RoyaleRoyal Rose’s Cardamom Clove Syrup is fall in a bottle! It’s handmade in tiny batches in Brunswick, Maine, and when mixed with pomegranate juice and topped off with Prosecco, the resulting sparkling cocktail will kindly remind your guests to save room for dessert.

DINNER FEATURE – Basque Cider & Rye Cocktail – We’ve found a cocktail that can be geared towards whiskey lovers that love a well-balanced, no frills cocktail and also please guests who like cocktails a little on the sweet side. You can also add less fresh apple cider and more tart, hard cider. On the other hand, increase the amount of fresh apple cider for a cocktail to satisfy a sweet tooth. by Jillian Guyette & Robert Luessen, abetterhappiersebastian.com

POST FEAST – Gonzales Byass ‘Nectar’ Pedro Ximenez Sherry – Sherry is a heavenly overlooked wine. Done well, it’s not only sweet, but complex with luscious flavors of caramel, dried figs and raisins. Gonzales Byass ‘Nectar’ is a great example of the dark and rich Pedro Ximenez style. Serve with pecan pie for an out of this world dessert experience.

Large

LARGE GROUP (15+ people)

BEER

Smuttynose Variety Pack – A variety pack is a great choice when entertaining a crowd, saving you from purchasing multiple six packs. Smuttynose does a solid IPA and a nice brown ale called Old Brown Dog. 

Bucket Pawtucket Pail Ale Squealer – Maximize the room in your fridge for pies with a squealer from Bucket Brewery out of Pawtucket. 32 oz of beer in one handy glass bottle, the Pawtucket Pail Ale has a rich malt profile that will pair well with turkey.  6.2% ABV

Narragansett Bohemian Pilsner – Another local favorite, ‘Gansett’s pilsner is light, malty and refreshing. A little heavier than the lager, the Bohemian Pilsner will impress your relatives that remember ‘Gansett from the first time around. 5.2% ABV 

Sierra Nevada Porter – I chose this porter because of its hop friendly status. The dark malts will pair well with all the rich, harvest flavors in the stuffing and side dishes.  5.6% ABV

WINE

Taron Rioja – Spanish reds are here to stay and for that I am thankful! Taron’s take on Tempranillo is a great mixture of spice and fruit. Great with a cheese platter!

Tenuta Sant’Antonio ‘Scaia’ Corvina – Corvina is becoming a new favorite grape from Veneto, Italy. Used in the production of Valipolicella, on its own Corvina is medium-bodied with notes of dark plum and black cherry. Not as acidic as other Italian reds such as Barbera, this will go well with the turkey and hopefully become a new favorite for your family!

Maculan Pino & Toi – From Italy comes this cool blend of Pinot Bianco, Pinot Grigio and Toi (Friulano). Expect a dry, medium bodied and extremely refreshing white wine. Lemon and peach flavors are complemented with a bright acidity that will please guests who love Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc.

APERITIF – Ca’ Furlan Prosecco – There is no better way to welcome a guest into your home than the festive sound of sparkling wine being uncorked, signifying the beginning of a wonderful gathering. Ca’ Furlan Prosecco is light with the slightest hint of peach, tangerine and apple. Greet your guests with a glass of bubbly!

DINNER FEATURE – Rosé Cranberry Sangria Punch – A simple sangria punch can be made the evening before. On Thanksgiving day, just pour into a pitcher or carafe. Punches are great for groups, freeing you from playing bartender and providing a gathering spot for conversations to begin and linger.

POST FEAST – Sambuca – A traditional Italian after-dinner treat,  this star anise based cordial dates back to ancient Rome. After feasts, guests were treated to anise cakes to settle one’s stomach after a long evening of revelry. Serve straight, in a bit of hot coffee or in a tall glass over ice for the perfect post-feast treat.

Happy Thanksgiving!
– Joanna

Malbec Paired with Cornbread & Chorizo Stuffing!

stuffingSometimes, it’s fun to do a twist on your traditional Thanksgiving dishes, and Edible Rhody’s Corn Bread and Chorizo Stuffing recipe is a great choice to liven things up. Enjoy with a big glass of rich, delicious Malbec!

The little bit of spice from both the chorizo and the cayenne and the big ripe fruit flavors of La Posta Pizzella Vineyard Malbec will be perfect together.  Plus, if you are going to slather the stuffing in gravy, you’ll be glad you have this beautiful Malbec to cut through all the richness.

pizzella-web

CORN BREAD AND CHORIZO STUFFING
Owners Nick & Tracy Rabar, Avenue N American Kitchen & The Pantry at Avenue N, Rumford

You’ve got to have some fun and break tradition from time to time. This recipe came from that style of thinking—and it’s a great example of our ever-evolving Thanksgiving menu. It feeds a big crowd but can be divided easily.

½ loaf (8-inch length) Seven Stars pain de mie or other quality, dense white bread, cubed
1 small loaf (4 cups) corn bread, cubed
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 Vidalia onion, peeled and diced
2 jalapeño peppers, seeded and diced
1 red Bell pepper, seeded and diced
2 stalks celery, diced
4 small cloves garlic, peeled and minced
1 pound chorizo, casing removed
2 ears (1 cup) sweet corn, removed from cob
2 scallions, finely sliced
8 sprigs fresh thyme, stems removed
1 teaspoon chili powder
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
2 teaspoons kosher or sea salt
2–3 teaspoons Tabasco, or to taste
2 tablespoons honey
2 sticks (½ pound) unsalted butter, melted
2–4 cups chicken stock

Preheat oven to 350°.

Spread cubed breads on 2 large sheet pans, being careful not to crowd. Bake until lightly toasted, approximately 20 minutes. Remove from oven and cool.

Grease a large baking dish that doubles for serving. Heat olive oil in a large sauté pan over medium heat. Add onions, jalapeños, red pepper, celery and garlic and sauté until the onions are translucent (5 minutes). Add chorizo and stir to break up into small pieces until cooked through. Add corn and scallions; sauté another 5 minutes. Add cubed bread, thyme, chili powder, paprika, cayenne, salt, Tabasco, honey and butter and toss well. Add chicken broth until desired consistency is met. Stuffing should be moist but not soupy. Check for seasoning. Spoon stuffing into baking dish and bake uncovered for 40 minutes.
Makes approximately 15 cups or 12 servings.

I know my mouth is watering… Happy cooking!

Cheers, 

The Bottles Team

Sutto Prosecco & Holiday Salads!

carrot_webA glass of bubbly is a great way to start your Thanksgiving dinner! We’re digging on Sutto Prosecco (from our Top 9 Thanksgiving Wine List) — it’s fresh, vibrant, and a treat everyone will enjoy along with special holiday salads. Try pairing it with Edible Rhody’s Rainbow Carrot Salad with Toasted Cumin Vinaigrette, featured in their recent fall issue. 

prosecco-2-web

The Prosecco is a perfect match with the earthy sweet carrots, crunchy crisp radishes and salty/sweet feta cheese. The lively bubbles are a lively contrast to the flavors of the veggies and the savory qualities of the cumin vinaigrette.  A great way to start the meal!

RAINBOW CARROT SALAD WITH TOASTED CUMIN VINAIGRETTE
Ben Wood, WildWood Catering, Kingston

Thanksgiving falls right at a wonderful time of the New England harvest. Flavorful rainbow carrots are among the bounty. Serve this raw carrot salad at your feast as a vibrant contrast to the traditional Thanksgiving fare.

Salad:

2 pounds rainbow carrots, well-washed
¼ cup fresh chives, cleaned and chopped
¼ cup flat-leaf parsley, cleaned and chopped
6–8 Breakfast radishes
1 cup (¼ pound) Narragansett Creamery Salty Sea Feta, crumbled
Grated zest of ½ lemon
Kosher or sea salt
Freshly ground black pepper
Edible flowers (optional)

Dressing:

½ teaspoon ground cumin
3 tablespoon sugar
¼ cup apple cider vinegar
½ cup extra-virgin olive oil

For salad, trim carrot tops and, using a vegetable peeler, shave the carrots lengthwise into long, thin 3- to 4-inch ribbons. Place carrot ribbons into bowl. Toss in herbs with carrots. Slice radishes lengthwise as thin as possible; use mandolin if accessible.

For dressing, heat small skillet on medium heat for 1 minute, add ground cumin and cook for 1 minute, shaking pan constantly, or until cumin is slightly darkened and fragrant. In a small bowl add vinegar and sugar together, then whisk in toasted cumin and olive oil. Add a pinch of salt and pepper to taste.

To serve, season carrots and herbs with dressing just before serving and top with feta cheese, shaved radishes, a sprinkle of salt, pepper and lemon zest. Garnish with edible flowers if possible—we love Indie Growers in Bristol! Serves 6–8 people as a first course.

Enjoy this fun and creative dish! Cin Cin!

Cheers, 

The Bottles Team

Top 9 Thanksgiving Wines!

What wines pair best with a Thanksgiving Feast?

The simple answer is that the very best pairings are the wines that you like best. A typical Thanksgiving Dinner has so many different flavors on the table that it is nearly impossible to pick just one go-to wine that will pair with absolutely everything.  We recommend choosing 3 or 4 of your favorites, open them all at once and let your guests choose the wine they want to drink.   

If that isn’t enough of an answer for you, then ask us your specific food pairing questions — it’s our passion! And we love to share our passion and knowledge with anyone who will listen – both experts and novices alike.

All of us at Bottles have been thinking about Thanksgiving all year, and can give you an emphatic guarantee that all nine wines on this list will be the perfect complement to your dinner.  So relax, with so much to worry and think about, at least you know that the wine will be perfect!

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Top 9 Wines

Listed in order of lightest to heaviest:

Sutto Prosecco – Holy Wow! Very fresh, vibrant and dry Prosecco makes for a perfect treat before, during, or after dinner.   

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Secateurs Chenin Blanc – An expressive and aromatic white from South Africa, this Chenin Blanc is turkey’s best friend. Bright and engaging with lots of white peach and tart apple flavors with a rich and silky mouthfeel.

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Château du Rouet Provence Rosé – Rose is our go to no-brainer pairing with all things Thanksgiving.  Not only can it pair perfectly with almost all things on the dinner table, it’s great to sip pre-dinner while cooking or relaxing with your friends and family.

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Aviary Chardonnay – Our favorite California Chardonnay of the moment.  Everything you want and nothing you don’t:  rich and creamy but without being oaky or buttery.  Elegant and restrained and an excellent pairing to all things Thanksgiving.  

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Grisy Bourgogne Rouge – Beautiful Pinot Noir with loads of character and a sure fire winner at dinner.  Soft and silky texture with bright tart fruit like cranberry and raspberry with a hint of savory earthiness that makes it all appealing and interesting.

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Adelsheim Pinot Noir – From one of the founding wineries from Oregon, established in the early 1970’s.  American elegance at its best and a honest expression of the brilliance of Oregon.  Supple and elegant with cola and black cherry flavors with hints of fine leather and earth.

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Dupeuble Beaujolais – Classic Thanksgiving pairing! A richer, more concentrated Beaujolais with blackberry and blueberry fruit flavors with hints of cinnamon and violets.

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Gran Passione Rosso Veneto – Rich and smooth wine from the Veneto region.  Stacked with rich, opulent dried fruit flavors of plums and blackberries with generous hints of mocha and toffee.

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La Posta PIzzella Vineyard Malbec – For those who like a big, heavy, rich and delicious wine, this is for you.  Dark and ripe flavors with cherry and creamy blueberries with hints of spice and mineral. 

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Enjoy your day of thanks, and thank the wine for helping you get through it!

Cheers,

The Bottles Team

 

Butternut Squash Purée & Stag’s Leap Chardonnay for Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving food & wine pairing ideas
Photo: David Dadekian
One of the most enjoyable parts of Thanksgiving Day are delicious foods paired with great wines. Edible Rhody Magazine has featured a great Butternut Squash Purée recipe, and we’ve paired it with Stag’s Leap Chardonnay, which is a wonderful white wine, full of flavor and bright and crisp.

Stags’ Leap Winery Chardonnay
Napa Valley, CA

Elegant and exciting California Chardonnay with beautiful pure fruit flavors. A kiss of toasty oak perfectly balances out flavors of fresh peaches and nectarines that mingle with mandarin orange and other citrus fruits. A deftly balanced wine, it is bright and crisp while richly flavored, making it a perfect pairing with Butternut Squash Puree.

Butternut Squash Purée
Ashley Vanasse, executive sous-chef, Easy Entertaining Inc., Providence
Click here to read the Edible Rhody Magazine online edition.
1 large (2–3 pounds) butternut squash
3 tablespoons Rhody Fresh butter, melted
1 teaspoon kosher or sea salt
3 tablespoons heavy cream
2 tablespoons unsalted walnuts, toasted and chopped

Heat oven to 350°. 
Cut butternut squash in half lengthwise and scoop out seeds. Place halves on a lined baking sheet. Place ½ tablespoon of butter in each of the cavities, cover with foil and bake for 1 hour, or until soft. Remove from the oven and uncover. Scoop out the hot squash with a spoon, and place in food processor or blender with the salt, heavy cream and remaining butter. Pulse until smooth. Serve topped with walnuts. Makes 6–8 servings as a side dish.


Hess ChardonnayLatour Puligny Chardonnay

If Chardonnay is your favorite type of wine, then we also recommend these two Chardonnays that will be wonderfully versatile on your Thanksgiving table. Both will leave a lasting impression on guests!

  • Hess Chardonnay – A delicious Chardonnay without the heavy handed Oaky/Buttery style. Loads of pineapple and tropical fruit aromas leap out of the glass with flavors of crisp green apple and lemon zest. A crowd pleaser! Monterey County, CA $13.99
  • Latour Puligny Montrachet – An extraordinary example of one of the world’s most famous wines, this Chardonnay is a splurge worth taking. Aromas of white flowers and vanilla with flavors of white fruits, almonds and toasted brioche. A stunning wine that will be long remembered. Burgundy, FR $69.99

VISIT



Cheers!
Visit our wine store to shop a great selection of Thanksgiving wines.
We’re located in Providence, Rhode Island.

3 Delicious Amari for Thanksgiving

 

Since Thanksgiving is a day that our stomachs get a full workout, I wanted to share some of my favorite Amari from our selection here at Bottles. Amaro is a digestif; an herbal liqueur invented by doctors, chemists, pharmacists, laymen hundreds of years ago to serve one purpose – settle the stomach.

These pragmatic folks chose to preserve medicinal herbs in a tincture of alcohol because, after all, a spoon full of sugar does help the medicine go down. And since a bit of sugar is usually added to balanced the bitter herb flavors, Amari can be enjoyed on the rocks after a meal, or used in place of sweet vermouth in Manhattans. Here are a few of my favorite Amari to sample after a feast: Amaro Montenegro, Cardamaro, and Bigallet China-China.

You may notice that I left Fernet Branca, a popular amaro off this list. Fernet is a wonderfully bitter and bracing amari but after all that pumpkin pie, I prefer a more mellow spirit to enjoy next to the fire before I fall into a glorious food coma nap.

Amaro Montenegro 

Oranges and coriander meld together in a wonderfully warm way that intersects perfectly with a bitter, vegetal undertone. Rosewater and cherry are also present in this delightfully smooth and complex Amari.

Cardamaro 

Cardamaro is an Amari that is breaking all the rules. Instead of a spirit base, winemaker Gionvanni Bosca infuses Moscato wine with blessed thistle and ages the wine in oak for six months. This Amari is a great introduction because it has more of a sweet note rather than a bitter, herbal tone. Don’t be mislead, though, this is not a super sweet spirit. Ginger and artichoke are kicking around in this bottle to help right your senses.

Bigallet China-China 

What can I say? A perfect balance of sweet and sour, this Amari uses both sweet and bitter orange peels to form a holy union of citrus in your glass. Dark and rich with the addition of caramel, the warmth radiating from this Amari is life changing. My new favorite winter accessory! Move over electric blanket, you’ve been replaced.

Cheers & Happy Thanksgiving!

Joanna
Bottles Fine Wine
www.bottlesfinewine.com