Better break out the sweatpants, it’s that time of year again: time to stuff ourselves until we’re nearly comatose and then return a few hours later for leftovers, national gluttony day, Thanksgiving. Not only will wine make your relatives a bit more tolerable, but the natural acids in wine accentuate food flavors and refresh tastebuds making the road to maximum stomach capacity all the more pleasurable.
Natural acids are a diehard friend of food, making flavors more pronounced and leaving the palate refreshed. With such variety in Thanksgiving dishes its good to serve light acidic wines that supercharge food flavor.
Snoqualmie Naked Riesling 2005
On the sweeter side, this organic Washington state Riesling smells of fresh apples and grapefruit with traces of peach, pear and pineapple. An explosion of big apple flavor clears the way for pear and light spiciness. Simple, acidic and sweet enough to be enjoyed by nearly everyone, this Riesling features big fruit and good value. ($10.99 @ CNG)
Valckenberg Gew’rztraminer 2005
Although hard to pronounce, Gew’rztraminers are easy-to-drink wines. Similar to a Riesling but with notes of perfume and spice, most are sweet with lots of acidity. In this wine from the Pfalz region of Germany aromas of citrus and apple please the nose. Tasting reveals flavors of tangerine, peach, apple, grapefruit and alcohol spice. Crisp and sweet with lots of vibrant acidity, pair this with Cajun-spiced deep-fried turkey. ($10.99 @ Stones River Total Beverages)
Sterling Sauvignon Blanc 2005
Pungent to the nose, this Napa Valley wine smells of grapefruit, lemon zest and green peppers. Light tastes of grapefruit, green apples, and melon with a faint alcohol sensation harmonize. Soft and smooth with a nice acidity and light mouth-watering dryness, Sterling pairs well without overwhelming food flavors and impresses for under $20. ($17.99 @ CNG)
Clos du Val Ariadne 2002
This white blend of 72% S’million and 28% Sauvignon Blanc grapes comes from the Napa Valley. Pale in color with notes of airy citrus followed by herbs, ginger and a musky animal scent, the bouquet is soft and delicate much like the wine itself. Dainty grapefruit and a light initial sweetness make way for complex earthy flavors and buttery notes. Smooth with a nice finishing dose of acidity, Ariadne is a highly complex but food-friendly wine. ($19.99 @ CNG)
Hangtime Pinot Noir 2005
Grapes grown in cooler climates tend to stay on the vine longer and have a higher concentration of acids. Hangtime Cellars from the Edna Valley of California leave their grapes on the vine for 110 days in order to achieve a light-bodied, acidic, Pinot Noir. Soft aromas of ripe red cherries and strawberry lead into clean, fruity tastes of raspberries and sweet cherries with a backing of spice. Bright and fruity, this Pinot starts sweet and finishes with dryness and refreshing acidity. ($15.99 @ CNG)
