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The holidays are a time for family, friends, food, & frivolity. Choosing the perfect wines to serve during your special gatherings can be stressful. This year forget the worry and follow these recommendations for six sure-to-please Holiday Food & Wine Pairings. Let these sure-win recommendations help you plan your holidays like a pro! Guests are Arriving: What do I Pour Now? Whether you are the host or a holiday guest selecting a bottle to bring to the party, there is no better way to jump-start the evening than with a bottle of sparkling wine! No need to agonize about which wine will please the entire crowd: pop the cork from a delicious Spanish Cava for bubbles without the bitter bite. I recommend Poema Cava Extra Dry to serve as soon guests arrive, which also pairs perfectly with party appetizers and light cheeses. Ham Depending on how it's prepared, ham can bombard your palate with a combination of sweet, salty, & smoky flavors. Some people think ham needs an equally powerful wine to match its boldness. However, one of my favorite ham pairings is 94 point-rated by Wine & Spirits: 2008 Eroica Riesling: an exciting, semi-sweet crowd-pleaser. The sweetness and crisp acid levels enhance rather than clash with the savory ham, especially if you've used a sweet honey or mandarin glaze. Roasted Fowl or Salmon One of this year's best French Reds I like to pair with fowl is the 2007 Chateau des Capitans Julienas Beaujolais. This lovely Gamay is soft and light, but still retains presence of smoky, black currant, and a hint of cinnamon. My second recommendation for salmon or turkey is Willamette Whole Cluster Pinot Noir. This wine is alive with bright strawberry and black cherry fruits, and finishes with brown-sugar, cloves, and earthy nutmeg spices. If you're looking for an exciting variation to your normal recipe, use this wine to make a Spicy Cranberry Pinot Noir Sauce to titillate your turkey! Beef Tenderloin, Prime Rib, Ribs, or Lamb Even the most discriminating palate will sing when served a glass of 2007 Groom Shiraz alongside hearty holiday red meats. Rated 93 points by the Wine Spectator, this spicy, savory Shiraz is vibrant with juicy black fruits clinging to its powerful, fleshy backbone. Deep and intensely spirited, this Shiraz takes on peppered red meats like a galloping brawny steed. Another fantastic wine pairing for beef and lamb is the robust 2006 Dry Creek Vineyard Cabernet. Like all great recipes, this Cabernet has a secret ingredient: traditional Bordeaux blended in the mix! Rich and bold, with
sweet smoky oak, there's no question why it was named "Top Value" by the Wine Spectator. For an added twist, use this wine to make a shallot and Cabernet wine sauce to accompany your dish. Cheers!
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