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TASSEL RIDGE WINE PAIRINGS

from KGRN Money Saver 2022

by Fox Print and Publishing

from KGRN Money Saver 2022, page 22

HOLIDAY POT LUCK

WINE PAIRING WITH YOUR HOLIDAY DINNER

What kinds of wine complement a traditional holiday dinner with turkey and/or ham and all of the trimmings?

The traditional method of wine pairing is to focus on the “center-of-the-plate,” in this case turkey or ham, and select a wine that complements the meat. Iowa Candleglow® White with the turkey and the 2013 Iowa St. Croix Rosé from Tassel Ridge with the ham would be good choices if you are using this approach to wine pairing. But, a holiday dinner isn’t just meat. People have mashed potatoes, candied yams, stuffing, green bean casseroles, and cranberry salads so I advocate for wines with a little more body that won’t overwhelm the meat but will stand up to most of the other flavors in the meal.

The 2022 Iowa Nouveau from Tassel Ridge is a great alternative. It will complement the turkey and ham and the other dishes at the holiday table. Furthermore, both dry and sweet wine lovers will find it acceptable.

You may want to offer an aperitif as people arrive and get settled in. An outstanding selection is Oskyfizzante® Cranberry. This is a fizzy cranberry wine made entirely from cranberry juice and it offers great cranberry flavors. Some hosts/hostesses will select Oskyfizzante Cranberry and serve it for the entire meal.

Traditional wines are usually not sweet enough to serve with traditional pies so you might want to bring out the coffee at that time. Following coffee, the Robert Duncan® Ruby Reserve is an excellent sweet dessert wine that could be sipped by itself or served with roasted, salted cashews. And, the 2012 Iowa Finalé Tawny is an outstanding alternative that could also be served by itself or with cashews.