As 2008 comes to a close we reflect on what a year it has been and look forward to spending time with our loved ones. The one constant and stable thing in life is our family and friends. It will be with them that our happiest memories will occur as we celebrate the holidays ahead. Needless to say Thanksgiving is truly a holiday of thanks and celebration for all our bounty. What better way to celebrate than good food and wine.

          Ill be doing a turkey with all the fixins. It’s a holiday meal when I serve both red and white wines on the table. We’ll start off with a nice prosecco with some 2 year aged parmesan cheese chunks then followed by proscuitto with grilled red peppers. The main course will be bird and all the special veggies the guests will bring. I’ll give you my 3 favorite red and white wines for the meal.

          Reds

1.     Stephen Vincent Crimson – this is a wine everyone loves with the holiday meal, a blend of cabernet sauvignon (50%) and syrah (50%), light hints of cherry and plum up front followed by a smooth velvety finish. Very tasty! $12.00

2.     Caparzo rosso di montalcino – this Tuscan red is a declassified brunello, medium bodied with lush berries and plum. Easy smooth lingering finish. A real find. $15.00

3.     Bogle pinot noir – pinot noir a traditional Thanksgiving wine, well balanced red with fresh berry flavors, hints of spice and a tasty smooth finish. $13.00

Whites

1.     Markham sauvignon blanc – a medium bodied white with hints of peach and citrus, good acidity and smooth lingering finish. A great compliment to fresh vegetables. $9.00

2.     Latour St. Veran – this white burgundy from the adjoining property to pouilly fuisse is a personal favorite. This is a full bodied, well balanced white with soft citrus and tropical fruit  with a smooth silky end. $15.00

3.     Blondeau sancerre – truly a great match for this holiday meal. A lovely mix of ripe fig and citrus with a round lengthy finish. Very refreshing and crisp. $23.00

With an assortment of homemade deserts I’ll offer port, grappa and Fernet Branca to aid the digestive process!

Then before we know it Christmas will be here. A very special time of year. It seems to me that wine makes a very good gift for all those on my gift list. We will be featuring many of your favorite wines at great prices, dome less money than last year including Caymus, Stag’s Leap, Mondavi, Santa Margherita, Sterling, Simi, Ravenswood, Ruffino, B.V., Coppola, Toasted Head, J. Lohr, Clos du Bois and countless more.

It’s always a great idea to give an assorted case of wine to a special friend or professional and we are more than happy to design one to meet your needs and budget. For others on your list sometimes a very special bottle is ideal. We have them in all price ranges. If you’re like me I keep the shopping time to a minimum and time with family and friends to a maximum. Wine is a simple gift that is never the wrong size or color and can be easily re-gifted. I find if I bring home a couple of assorted cases of wine and our free gift bags I always have something on hand that I can take as a hostess gift or give to an unexpected gift bearer.

It might be helpful to give suggestions in different price ranges to give you an idea. We’ll start at the top.

The big ticket:

1.              Dom Perignon – always has all the bells and whistles aside from being a great cuvee champagne $129.99 on sale

2.              Caymus cabernet sauvignon – a classic robust Napa cabernet regularly $75.00, now $59.99. Packed with a big full body and chewy.

3.              Louis Latour mersault – lush white burgundy with ripe fruit and juicy acidity specially priced at $30.00.

The box seat:

1.                 Veuve Cliquot brut – always a winner, crisp hints of citrus and honey, smooth elegant soft hints of pastry on the finish. $40.00

2.                 Stag’s Leap Artemis cabernet sauvignon – dark rich style with concentrated flavors of currant and black cherry, regularly $60.00, now $43.00

3.                 Santa Margherita pinot grigio – this delightful medium bodied white from Italy is always a perfect white for the white wine lover! Crisp refreshing fruit $20.00

The grand stand !

1.                 Schramsburg blanc de blanc – remarkably dry crisp bubbles from California, great hint of yeast and fruit. Full bodied, perfect to enjoy anytime. $25.00

2.                 Santi Ripasso – this Italian red is a great find for any red winegeek. It is produced from the same grapes that produces highly esteemed amarone. Rich ripe flavors of black cherry and oak. $15.00

3.                 Simi chardonnay – this Sonoma valley wine is just the right balance of fruit and oak, clean refreshing finish. $11.00

The bleachers – perfect for the service people and hostess gifts

1.                 Rotari brut – plenty of bubbles for the buck, full bodied, clean dry end. $8.99

2.                 Ravenswood V. B. cabernet sauvignon – a real treat. Nice juicy red with solid flavors of black cherry, oak and smooth finish.$8.00

3.                 B V coastal chardonnay – well balanced, full flavored with a well structured finish. Great value at $8.00

Well hope this has been some wine for thought and wishing you a joyful holiday season and an abundant 2009!

                                   Pete