During the holiday season we find many different tasty foods popping out of ovens and friends and relatives popping on in. It’s a festive, yet sometimes stressful time of the year. We all strive to make that perfect meal and want the wine to be paired just right. This column will give you some tried and true holiday pairings that are sure to impress and dazzle your guests palates and still keep within your budget. Some of my favorite white wines to pair with turkey or ham are: vouvray, riesling, gewürztraminer, fume blanc, viognier and lighter chardonnays. For reds I like to stick to something with a good show of fruit and stay away from overly oaky and tannic wines. My choice for holiday reds are: pinot noir, beaujolais, red zinfandel, Rioja(crianza), lighter merlots and Chinon. Blushes are also a great way to go because they are so food friendly.
Try dry rosés from Spain and off-dry blushes like white shiraz and white merlot. Heres a list of some excellent producers and wines I feel are well worth checking out.

Slatestone Riesling (Germany) - great minerality with vibrant acidity and a nice balancing sweetness. This will be a crowd pleaser for all of the relatives who don’t like dry wine. Great with ham and turkey or as a aperitif. $11.99

Columbia Winery Gewürztraminer (Washington State) - juicy apricots and peaches with a little spice and sweetness. Great with all fowl. $9.99

Hogue Fumé Blanc (Washington State) - dry, crisp and refreshing, with lots of fruit. Great with fish and chicken. $7.99

McManis Viognier (California) - full bodied and dry with tropical fruit aromas and apricots on the palate. This makes a splendid alternative to chardonnay. Marries well with white and red meats. $10.99

Sacred Hill “White Cliff” Pinot Noir (New Zealand) - strawberry and cherry aromas and flavors in a well balanced frame. This is a must try for all pinot noir lovers. Ham and turkey will love this wine! $15.99

Seghesio Sonoma Zinfandel (California) - jammy and full of spice, this wine tastes like something double its price. This family is one of the world’s oldest producers of zinfandel and their experience shows through. Pair with robust and hardy foods. $19.99

Vega del Rio Crianza (Spain) - this old world beauty has spicy red fruits and a nice touch of vanilla from the oak. Great all around food frindly wine. $ 12.99

Thirsty Lizard White Shiraz (Australia) - nice touch of sweetness with some raspberry and strawberry aromas and flavors. Pair with Thai, Mexican or any traditional holiday fare. $7.99

Hope you have fun with all of the wines and have a joyous holiday season!

Jeff Anderson
Sommelier