Weekend - November 19, 2020

For the most up-to-date listing of events, go online to masslive.com/entertainment

Weekend

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LIVEWIRE: Ticketmaster technology would tie ticket purchase to COVID test, E3 ‘THE CROWN’: Emma Corrin knows Princess Diana inside and out, E4 OFF THE MENU: Best Sandwiches in America winners named, E9

PLUS

Wines for Thanksgiving, leftovers, E10

Virtual Santa visits

Yankee Candle Village reinvents holiday traditions during pandemic, Page E2

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ON THE COVER

Santa Claus coming to town, virtually Yankee Candle Village reinvents holiday traditions during pandemic

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By Keith O’Connor

Special to The Republican

here’s no doubt that a visit anytime of the year to Yankee Candle Village in South Deerfield is a step into Christmas, but when the actual holiday arrives, there is even more to relish.

However, Christmas is different this year with COVID-19 a threat to everyone’s health, requiring Yankee Candle and other businesses around the country to limit special holiday events, while reinventing new ways to celebrate.

This year, Santa Claus will not be arriving by helicopter.

For nearly 30 years, the jolly ol’ elf has made his appearance to great fanfare by hundreds of cheering children and adults.

But Yankee Candle Village won’t be Santa-less.

Beginning Saturday, the destination store is introducing a virtual visit with Santa, who over the years has had a continued presence at his homeaway-from home at the company store. But it’s not a free visit with Santa. For $10, guests can walk through a magical winter wonderland and enjoy a video visit with Santa, streaming live from his workshop in the North Pole, and commemorate the trip by taking a green-screen photo with Santa. Included in the experience is a personalized candle label.

“Traditions are valuable to us here at Yankee Candle Village.

The holiday season is such an exciting time for so many of our guests. Keeping safety as our top priority, it is important for us to continue to bring our Santa Experience to families this year,” said Wade Bassett,

Holiday decorations are on display at the Yankee Candle flagship store in South Deerfield. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, Santa Claus will be making virtual visits to the store this year beginning Saturday until Dec. 23.

(DON TREEGER / THE REPUBLICAN)

director of Retail Operations at Yankee Candle Village.

“This will be unlike events that we have held in the past but will certainly bring smiles to so many faces and that is

what the holiday season is all about,” he added.

Bookings for the all-new Santa experience are now open and reservations must be made in advance. Masks are required

upon entry to the store and to partake in the experience.

Despite the fact that Santa won’t be making an in-person visit to Yankee Candle, the Christmas ambiance will still

be around every corner in the store as it is year-round.

Entrepreneur Michael Kittredge II, the late founder of Yankee Candle, was also an innovative and astute businessman who turned his Yankee Candle Village into a destination shopping experience by attaching a Christmas and toy store to the candle shop which opened in South Deerfield in 1983.

Creating a shopping experience centered around Christmas was natural for Kittredge, who grew up in South Hadley.

The birth of Yankee Candle actually dates back to Christmas 1969, when the 16-year-old Kittredge didn’t have enough money to by his mom a Christmas present. So, he decided to melt some crayons to make her a candle. A neighbor who saw it convinced him to sell the candle to her. He did and with the money he was able to make two more candles, one for his mom and another to sell.

He took that Christmas

SEE YANKEE, PAGE E3

“This will be unlike events that we have held in the past but will certainly bring smiles to so many faces and that is what the holiday season is all about.”

WADE BASSETT, DIRECTOR OF RETAIL OPERATIONS, YANKEE CANDLE VILLAGE

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WEEKEND

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2020 | E3

MUSIC

Ticketmaster technology would tie ticket purchase to COVID test

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N THE HEELS OF the Pfizer announcement of its effective COVID-19 vaccine last week, Billboard reported that ticketing giant Ticketmaster was developing technology that would tie a ticket purchase to proof of vaccination.

The technology requires partnering with a third-party health provider and is still in the development phase.

In theory, a fan attending a concert could be asked to provide proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test in order to get access to an event.

Ticketmaster was quick to point out that it would not be responsible for denying access to any event and event organizers would set policies around safety and entry requirements. The company is simply working on linking third-party health apps to its own digital ticketing platform.

While Ticketmaster claims the technology is merely part of the toolbox to facilitate getting fans back into live events, the platform would in theory allow organizers to prevent fans from attending without being “verified” either with a negative test or proof of vaccine.

Along with restaurants, the live entertainment industry has been decimated by the pandemic and its associated shutdowns. The industry has pivoted to livestream and drive-in concerts to limited success.

Holiday decorations are on display at the Yankee Candle flagship store. (DON TREEGER / THE REPUBLICAN)

Yankee CONTINUED FROM PAGE E2

Maren Morris speaks onstage during the 54th annual CMA Awards at Nashville’s Music City Center on Nov. 11 in Nashville, Tennessee. Morris won female vocalist of the year, song of the year and single of the year for her song “The Bones.” She will perform a virtual concert for fans from the Brooklyn Bowl on Dec. 4 at 9 p.m. (TERRY WYATT / GETTY IMAGES FOR CMA)

Highwomen with Brandi Carlile, Natalie Hemby and Amanda Shires.

Along with female vocalist of the year, Morris was feted with song of the year and single of the year for her song “The Bones” at the recent CMA ceremony.

well as a Black Forest where snow falls every four minutes.

Virtual visits with Santa can be scheduled by going to Eventbrite at meetsanta1. eventbrite.com for November and at https://meet santa2.eventbrite.com for December.

For more information, visit yankeecandle.com/ south-deerfield-village.

ALWAYS HIGH PRICES PAID.

63 Cabot Street, Chicopee Center (413) 592-0220

03091382

• The Hanover Theater for the Performing Arts is LiveWire plowing forward through the pandemic by presenting unique programming for its 2020 international tour bepatrons. fore the pandemic.

The theatre’s repertory group has filmed “A Christmas Carol Reimagined,” a • Country star Maren Morris has announced plans quarantined-inspired production of its annual presentation for a virtual concert for fans. of the Dickens classic.

Morris, the reigning CMA The film is available on female vocalist of the year, will perform from the Brook- Vimeo on demand beginning Liner notes lyn Bowl on Dec. 4 at 9 p.m.

Dec. 11 and running though • Evanescence will perTickets for the livestream Dec. 23 with shows beginning form a virtual concert for fans are available through Live at 7 p.m. to introduce songs from a new Nation at livenation.com.

Tickets are available recording.

Morris’ debut release, “Walk through the venue website at “A Live Session From Falcon On,” arrived in 2005. “My thehanovertheatre.org.

Rock Studio” airs from Dec. 5 Church,” her debut single, According to the press though Dec. 8 with tickets on reached the Top 5 on the U.S. release, the play features a sale through the band’s webHot Country Songs chart. She small band of players who site at evanescence.com. took home a Grammy Award sneak into a dark theatre, The group will perform for best country solo perforand recreate the classic using mance. songs from its upcoming rethe discarded playbills from lease “The Bitter Truth.”

Morris is also a member of a canceled production of “A The band had planned a the country supergroup The SEE LIVEWIRE, PAGE E7

Donnie Moorhouse

memory with him to South Deerfield leaving his original Holyoke store behind and creating a flagship store that as the sign on the property says became the “Scenter of the Universe.”

But it wasn’t enough for Kittredge to create any old candle store, not that there were many of them back then.

He took his love of Germany and its medieval villages back to America with him to create his own Bavarian Village within his store.

Kittredge would often tell stories of how they would go into stores in Germany with sketch pads, while trying to remain undetected, to help them translate what they were seeing into his own winter wonderland. The result was his own interpretation of a Bavarian Village with a large selection of ornaments and other Christmas items, as

IF YOU GO Event: “Meet Santa – A Virtual Santa Experience” When: Nov. 21 - Dec. 23 Where: Yankee Candle Village, 25 Greenfield Road, South Deerfield Tickets: $10. By appointment only. Reservations can be scheduled at meetsanta1.eventbrite. com for November and at meetsanta2.eventbrite. com for December.

For more information: yankeecandle.com/ south-deerfield-village.

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WEEKEND

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MOVIES / TV ONLINE STREAMING

Emma Corrin knows Princess Diana inside and out Actress plays royal in latest season of ‘The Crown’

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By Meredith Blake

Los Angeles Times

he reality of playing one of the most famous women of the 20th century set in for Emma Corrin one day on the streets of West London.

She was filming a scene for Season 4 of “The Crown,” now streaming on Netflix, re-creating the early media frenzy around Princess Diana – nee Lady Diana Spencer – the bashful 19-year-old nursery school assistant who became the subject of insatiable public curiosity thanks to her burgeoning romance with Prince Charles.

Corrin, in character in a feathered blond wig, stepped out of Diana’s former building in Earl’s Court and was

be in the newspaper and you’ll be papped. Anything you feel about it, be it fear or excitement or nervousness, be aware of it because that’s exactly how she would have been feeling.’”

“God,” she continues, “he was so right.”

Prior to “The Crown,” the 24-year-old had only a few acting credits, the most notable a recurring part in the Batman prequel series “Pennyworth.”

Covering the late ’70s through the early ’90s, Season 4 of “The Crown” explores the sad saga of Charles and Diana, whose whirlwind courtship and storybook wedding captivated Princess Diana is played by newcomer Emma Corrin in Season the world but whose fundamen4 of “The Crown.” (DES WILLIE/NETFLIX) tal incompatibility and mutual infidelity resulted in a messy swarmed by extras clicking rin tried to seize on the advice split more than a decade later. away on vintage cameras. But that director Benjamin Caron For viewers who lived just beyond the actors pretend- had given her when she got the through the era, new episodes ing to be photographers was a part. offer a highbrow take on a throng of real-life paparazzi, “He took me aside and very familiar royal soap opera that there to get a shot of the young, helpfully said, ‘You and Diana has already been chronicled unknown actress stepping into are going through a very similar in numerous tell-alls and a career-making role as “the thing. You’re going to suddenly made-for-TV movies. But for people’s princess,” a woman be in the public eye, in a role a younger generation, who who redefined contemporary that everyone has had their might know Diana primarily as celebrity. eyes on,’” Corrin recalls via Meghan Markle’s late motherIn that surreal moment, Cor- video conference. “‘You will in-law, “The Crown” provides a

humanizing glimpse at a woman whose saintly posthumous image has been oversimplified.

Creator Peter Morgan isn’t afraid to delve into the less flattering aspects of Charles and Diana’s relationship. Diana is a sheltered teenager when she gets engaged to Charles, nearly 13 years her senior (played by Josh O’Connor), in what is essentially an arranged marriage.

“The Crown” also graphically depicts Diana’s ongoing struggle with bulimia and her sometimes embarrassing desire for public adulation. Charles, for his part, is a snobbish bore who resents his wife’s popularity and doesn’t bother to conceal his affair with Camilla Parker Bowles (Emerald Fennell). If Corrin’s Diana is embarrassingly needy, her in-laws are a dysfunctionally frosty clan only capable of bonding through a shared love of horses and hunting.

“The Crown’s” new season premieres at a moment when Diana is back in the zeitgeist.

Her son, Prince Harry, has fought the intrusive British press

SEE ‘CROWN’, PAGE E6

ONLINE STREAMING

‘The Dark Divide’ leads new film releases

By Michael O’Sullivan

Washington Post

The first film produced by REI Co-Op Studios, an offshoot of the outdoor sporting goods chain, “The Dark Divide” is a drama based on lepidopterist Robert M. Pyle’s 1995 memoir “Where Bigfoot Walks: Crossing the Dark Divide.” Starring a nicely subdued David Cross as Robert, the story jumps back and forth between the naive and nerdy protagonist’s expedition in Washington State’s Gifford Pinchot National Forest – where he is ill equipped to deal with bears, caves and lighting fires – and earlier scenes featuring his cancer-stricken wife (Debra Messing), whose death ultimately precipitates the trip. There are a few instances of comedic mishaps – as well as lots of introspection, gorgeous cinematography and yes, near encoun-

ters with Bigfoot – but mostly it’s a subtly told tale of emotional healing. After encountering a group of people in the woods one day, Robert shares that his hope is that nature might help him move on with his life. “Maybe you should start looking to yourself for the answers,” a Native American woman (Kimberly Guerrero) tells him, articulating, in that one line of dialogue, the quiet message of the film. Unrated. Available on various streaming platforms. Contains strong language, nudity and some mature thematic material. 107 minutes.

Also streaming “Beasts Clawing at Straws” is a Korean neo-noir thriller about a group of ne’er-do-wells in hot pursuit of a Louis Vuitton bag filled with cash. Although the action may be over the top, accord-

ing to Variety, “Luckily the actors have enough verve to carry it through to the enjoyably open-ended finale.” Unrated.

Available at afisilver.afi.com. In Korean with subtitles. 109 minutes.

The documentary short “Crawford: The Man the South Forgot” follows Dora Dee Johnson as she retraces the final days in the life of her great-great-grandfather, Anthony Crawford, a prosperous Black cotton farmer. His success caused anger and envy among some White citizens of his South Carolina hometown, resulting in a tragic demise that affected his family for generations. Unrated.

Available at kweli.tv. 26 minutes.

Directed by the Brazilian filmmaker Gabriel Mascaro, known for the sensual “August Winds” and “Neon

David Cross stars in “The Dark Divide.” (STRIKE BACK STUDIO / PUBLIC HOUSE FILMS)

Bull,” “Divine Love” is a romance set in a dystopian future. The Hollywood Reporter writes: “Again gorgeously shot and produced, impressively acted and with a lot of fascinating things on its mind, this is yet further proof that the 35-year-old Mascaro is one of the most audacious and gifted filmmakers of his

SEE STREAM, PAGE E6

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WEEKEND

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2020 | E5

MOVIES DVD RELEASES

‘Broken Hearts Gallery’ is easy to fall for

By Katie Foran-McHale

“2067”: A man (Kodi SmitMcPhee) journeys to another A heartbroken heroine world to save Earth’s inhabwhose down-in-the-dumps itants as the planet becomes vibe is transcended by her uninhabitable. spirit tops the new DVD re“Death of Me”: A couleases for this week. ple (Maggie Q and Luke Also new on DVD “The Broken Hearts GalHemsworth) must make sense lery”: After a rough breakup, “Summerland”: A writer of a video they find in which Lucy (Geraldine Viswanathan) (Gemma Arterton) takes a one is killing the other. spirals into slob territory. One London Blitz evacuee (Lucas “The Devil Has a Name”: night, she drunkenly gets into Bond) under her wing.

An oil executive (Kate a man’s car, mistaking him “Unhinged”: An unstable Bosworth) attempts to take for her rideshare app driver. man (Russell Crowe) terroriz- the land of a farmer (David es a woman (Caren Pistorius) Strathairn) who suspects the As is rom-com law, she later after a road rage incident. randomly runs into the man, water has been contaminated.

Geraldine Viswanathan and Dacre Montgomery in “The Broken “The New Mutants”: Nick (Dacre Montgomery), “Hammer Films: The Ultimate Collection”: Set includes The 13th installment in the who plans to open a boutique Hearts Gallery.” (GEORGE KRAYCHYK/TRISTAR PICTURES) 20 cult classics from the 1950s, “X-Men” film series follows hotel. Lucy has the idea to use rom-com, so how the story her review. ’60s and ’70s, including “The teenage Mirage (Blu Hunt), part of the hotel as a museum dedicated to heartbreak, unfolds is far from shocking.

“Sharing is caring, and as Wolfsbane (Maisie Williams), Revenge of Frankenstein,” and the two begin a creative But it’s Viswanathan’s efferLucy embraces the broken Cannonball (Charlie Heaton), “Maniac,” “The Two Faces of vescent energy that makes her heart she wears on her sleeve, Sunspot (Henry Zaga) and partnership.

Dr. Jekyll” and more.

The script, written by direc- character, and the film, easy it becomes her greatest source Magik (Anya Taylor-Joy) at the “Iron Mask”: A cartogrator Natalie Krinsky, hits most to fall for, wrote Tribune News of love, strength and creinstitution that seeks to “cure” pher (Jason Flemyng) travels ativity,” wrote Walsh. “‘The beats one would expect in a Service critic Katie Walsh in them of their powers.

SEE DVD, PAGE E7 Tribune News Service

Broken Hearts Gallery’ is a celebration of vulnerability as a key component in matters of romance and of self-love, a notion that proves to be a moving message indeed.”

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‘Crown’

sequence that drives home her youthful naivete, the princessto-be skates through the halls CONTINUED FROM PAGE E4 of Buckingham Palace while and distanced himself from listening to Duran Duran. the royal family, in ways that “There’s a massive arc for Diana in the season. From a young speak to her influence. Other adult to a mother with two small projects about the princess of Wales are on the way, including children and a failing marriage “Diana: A True Musical Story,” to the future king of England. a Broadway show soon heading That’s a big space to occupy and to Netflix, and “Spencer,” a film Emma fills it,” says Caron. (In Season 5, following Diana in the set to star Kristen Stewart. The last years of her life, the part will BBC also ordered an inquiry into a notorious 1995 interview be played by Elizabeth Debicwith Diana conducted by Martin ki.) “Emma effortlessly walked that line between strength and Bashir.

Previously, “The Crown” vulnerability.” has often focused on obscure Though Corrin has no living or forgotten chapters in British memory of the princess, who history, but many people vividly died when she was a toddler, she remember the Charles and Di says she still felt her influence. era – and have fixed opinions “I grew up very aware of her about it. Caron admits that being generous and empathetic – a people person – and how moving into a more recent rare that was. Whenever I heard period “feels uncomfortable.” (“I really hope none of the royal about her with someone or family watches it,” he adds.) The watch a documentary I rememdelicate subject matter made it ber thinking, ‘Oh, this is the kind of person who I want to be, even more essential to find the which is now weird,” she says, right actress to play Diana.

An executive producer on the laughing. “I went a little too far.” series, Caron also directed three And she has Camilla to thank episodes this season, including for it, in a sense. Producers were the standout “Fairytale,” which casting the role of Charles’ longfollows Diana during the lonely, time mistress. Though Season 3 hadn’t even begun to film, Mordisillusioning months before gan had already written a scene her wedding in July 1981. In a

Stream CONTINUED FROM PAGE E4

generation.” Unrated. Available at afisilver.afi.com. Area theaters. In Portuguese with subtitles. 101 minutes.

Inspired by actual events, “Echo Boomers” is a crime drama about college students who break into homes to pay for school. According to Flickering Myth, the film is an “exposition-heavy bore that quickly loses sight of its millennial plight, winding up a generic stealing-from-the-rich heist flick.” R. Available on various streaming platforms. Contains drug use and pervasive crude language. 94 minutes.

WEEKEND

from Season 4 in which Camilla takes Diana, her lover’s fiancee, out for an awkward lunch date/ power move. Corrin was asked to read for Diana.

Some months later she was called in for a formal audition with Morgan, Caron and casting director Robert Sterne. She dazzled them with a spontaneous karaoke rendition of “All I Ask of You,” a song from “Phantom of the Opera” that features in one of Season 4’s more cringeworthy moments.

Caron had a single reservation: He worried that, with her wide blue eyes, Corrin looked too much like Diana. “Normally we don’t go to someone who is almost a lookalike. We find the best actor,” he says. “But she had both, and that felt a little bit unnerving.”

“Diana is constantly in a state of flux between” strength and vulnerability, says Corrin. “A lot of people refer to young Diana as sweet and shy, and yeah, a lot of us are when we’re 18 or whatever. But she also so knew what she was about. When she goes to Balmoral” – for a weekend with the royal family that amounts to an audition to be Charles’ wife – ‘”she knows exactly what she’s doing. It’s outrageous.”

Corrin read biographies of Di-

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ana sent by the show’s research team, but the most useful source she found was the documentary “Diana: In Her Own Words,” which uses recordings of Diana’s interviews with biographer Andrew Morton.

think we see.”

Suddenly being trailed by photographers would have been a huge change for an unassuming nursery school teacher who had rarely attracted much attention.

“We imagined laser beams sniping through space towards Emma, which immediately gave Emma the reflex of lowering her “We worked together chin and shrinking her frame to to get to the core of hide,” Bennett wrote. “Suddenly what made Diana we have an active reason for Diana’s trademark head tilt, which who she was, rather than proliferate what is far more practical to play for an actor than a direction of ‘just we think we see.” tilt your head’ that can leave them stuck and overthinking.”

Polly Bennett Together they also spent many hours researching the psychological impact of bulimia and Corrin trained with movement coach Polly Bennett to reviewing footage of Diana’s understand Diana’s distinctive body language to anchor the mannerisms – her bashful head performance “in truth rather tilt, sidelong glances and tall-girl than mimicry,” she says. slouch – from the inside out.

As for her own take on this With someone as well-known painful chapter from royal history, Corrin is diplomatic. as Diana, Bennett explained in “I have come to know Diana an email, “the challenge was to better than anyone else, so my look at her afresh, as if we had sympathy will always lie with no idea who she was or what her,” she says. “But I also have she was known for doing, so we (could) imagine why her be- a huge appreciation of Charles, haviors manifested themselves and what they both had to the way they did. We worked endure in that marriage. I don’t together to get to the core of think you can pick a side.” Spowhat made Diana who she was, ken like a true queen. Or at least rather than proliferate what we a princess.

Darker Worlds “ examines how shooting stars, meteorites and deep impacts have captured the human imagination. Slant magazine writes: “Herzog has always had a keen eye for remote places, and ‘Fireball’ lets him visit his fair share of them.”

Unrated. Available on Apple TV Plus. 97 minutes.

In “Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey,” a toymaker (Forest Whitaker) and his granddaughter (Madalen Mills) invent a magical device that could change their lives forever. Slant magazine says: “Over a holiday season in which Black girls will be able to count down, for the first time, to the day a vice president who looks like them takes the oath of office, the greatest gift that ‘Jingle Jangle’ Co-directed by Werner offers is an empowering world Herzog and Clive Oppenheimer that looks less like invention (“Encounters at the End of and more like real life.” PG. the World”), the documenAvailable on Netflix. Contains tary “Fireball: Visitors From some mature thematic elements

Minh City when he was 6 years old. Unlike some American movies about the aftermath of the Vietnam War that overlook the experiences of Vietnamese people, the Guardian says that the film “addresses those ideas more directly, and engages with their stories.” Unrated. Available at afisilver.afi.com and virtualavalon.org. In English and Vietnamese with subtitles. 85 minutes.

Madalen Mills, left, and Forest Whitaker star in the Netflix musical “Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey.” (NETFLIX)

and peril. 119 minutes.

according to the New York Times. R. Available on various streaming platforms. Contains pervasive coarse language, some sexuality, violence and nudity.

90 minutes.

Directed by Max Winkler (son of actor Henry Winkler), “Jungleland” tells the story of two boxing brothers (Charlie Hunnam and Jack O’Connell) in pursuit of the American Dream.

In “Monsoon,” Henry Golding plays a man who returns to “The sweaty cliches enacted Vietnam for the first time since along the way are uniformly tired and ultimately offensive,” he and his family fled Ho Chi

Filmed over five years, the documentary “Transhood” follows four transgender young people and their families.

According to Variety, the film “excels in fine-grained, day-onday domestic observation. But it’s intelligently attuned, too, to larger sociopolitical changes in the wind, for better and for worse, as it notes just how much can change – in a person, in a family, in a country – in five years.” TV-14. Available on HBO and HBO Max. 97 minutes.

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DVD

WEEKEND

Mewtwo Strikes Back Evolution”: Having discovered he was created in a lab to be used CONTINUED FROM PAGE E5 as a weapon, Mewtwo wages to China to face the Dragon war against humanity in this Master. Also stars Jackie Japanese 3D computer-aniChan, Arnold Schwarzenegger mated film.

“Relic”: After finding their and Helen Yao. In Rusian and missing mother/grandmother English.

“It’s a Wonderful Life”: (Robyn Nevin), a mother (EmThe 1946 Frank Capra classic ily Mortimer) and daughter starring James Stewart and (Bella Heathcote) notice the Donna Reed is being released matriarch’s mind being possessed by an eerie presence. in 4K. “Mission Impossible: The “Westworld: S3: The New Original Series”: The 1966World”: The third season of 73 series starring Peter Graves the HBO critically acclaimed is available on Blu-ray for the sci-fi series picks up with first time.

Dolores (Evan Rachel Wood) “Monstrum”: Rumors having escaped the park and of a ruthless creature makadapting to the real world in ing its way around 1500s Los Angeles.

Korea spread as a plague “Words on Bathroom rages through the country. In Walls”: A high school senior Korean.

(Charlie Plummer) is ashamed “Paydirt”: An ex-con (Luke by his mental illness diagnoGoss) rejoins with his former sis and attempts to keep it a gang associates to find cash secret. that was hidden during a longOut on Digital HD ago DEA bust that put him in “Cowboys: A Documenprison.

“Pokemon the Movie: tary Portrait”: Documentary

follows life on modern cattle ranches.

“The Nest”: A family struggles with the isolation of their relocation to England. Stars Jude Law, Carrie Coon and Charlie Shotwell.

“1 Night in San Diego”: Two friends (Jenna Ushkowitz and Laura Ashley Samuels) drive to the Southern California city to meet up with a crush.

“Playhouse”: A writer (William Holstead) in remote Scotland encounters a supernatural curse after his daughter (Grace Courtney) makes a grim discovery.

“Blindfire”: A white cop (Brian Geraghty) kills an innocent Black man (Chike Okonkwo) and reckons with his racism, as well as the possibility of a setup. Out tomorrow.

“Team Marco”: A tech-obsessed boy (Owen Vaccaro) is drawn out of his shell by his grandpa (Thomas Kopache), who moves in with his family.

Out tomorrow.

LiveWire

the promoter’s website at dspshows.com.

The band has played a handful of drive-in concerts during the pandemic and introduced a couple of new songs from a recently completed album.

Coming out of Amherst in the mid-1980s, Dinosaur Jr went on to be one of the most influential rock groups of the alternative era.

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Christmas Carol.”

Santana’s latest full-length album, “Africa Speaks,” was released in 2019.

• We may not know which teams are headed to Tampa • After scrapping its for this season’s Super Bowl, planned 2020 tour with but the musical portion of the Earth, Wind, and Fire — a program has been set. tour that was scheduled to The Weeknd has been play Mohegan Sun this past tapped to headline the Pepsi summer — Santana has Halftime Show. announced a new touring The singer’s “After Hours” itinerary for 2021. tour has been moved to 2021 Santana, sans EWF, will per- due to COVID-19. form at Mohegan Sun Arena The artist was originally on Aug. 13, 2021, at 7 p.m. scheduled to play Mohegan Tickets for the event are on Sun Arena on July 4 and TD sale now through all TicketGarden on July 11. Those master outlets and locations dates have been moved to July including ticketmaster.com 4, 2021 (Mohegan) and July 2, and by phone at 800-7452021 (Boston).

3000.

Ticket purchases for the origSantana has rescheduled inal shows will be honored. some dates with EWF for the summer, including an Aug. 11 • Dinosaur Jr will give fans stop at the Xfinity Center in a chance to rock out during Mansfield. the pandemic with a perforCarlos Santana, who was set mance the Pines Theatre in to celebrate the 20th anniver- Northampton. sary of his seminal “Supernat“Live and Alone From Look ural” release with his 2020 Park” will be a livestream tour, promises a sweeping event on Nov. 28 at 8 p.m. overview of his band’s Rock & Tickets, priced at $15, for the Roll Hall of Fame career. event are available through

• Tori Amos is set to release a holiday-themed EP. Due out on Dec. 4, “Christmastide” is said to feature the pianist/songwriter on four original Christmas-themed tracks with her longtime collaborators John Evans (bass) and drummer Matt Chamberlain.

Amos was set to head out on a book tour this summer to promote her memoir “Resistance: A Songwriter’s Story of Hope, Change, and Courage.”

That tour was scrapped due to COVID-19.

Amos debuted as a solo artist in the 1990s with singles such as “Spark,” “1000 Oceans,” “Flavor” and “A Sorta Fairytale.”

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2020 | E7

DINE & WINE

It’s only beer

‘I

T’S ONLY BEER.” I typed those words into an online beer forum many, many years ago and was immediately excoriated by a forum administrator.

If memory serves, I was merely trying to provide some perspective in a heated debate about some beer-related topic. But I was publicly dressed down for the comment: How dare I say such a thing when so many people had great passion for beer and so many people’s livelihoods depended on making, distributing or selling/serving beer?

Well, although I didn’t further engage in that discussion, I have reflected on my comment from time to time, and I recently did so — because one often considers what is important during trying times such as the ones we are enduring now — and I still maintain the stance I took back then: It’s only beer.

This may sound strange coming from a guy whose column is called “Beer Nut” and who has made part of his living from writing about beer for the past 17 years. But hear me out.

I’m not saying beer is unimportant in its own way, nor am I diminishing the work that people in the beer industry do. I’m also not

George Lenker Beer Nut

I’d much prefer to abandon beer rather than lose the connections I’ve made because of beer. dismissing the happiness it can bring. What I’m saying is that in the grand scheme of things, beer itself is not that important.

I liken it to sports when a tragedy occurs: Almost unanimously, players will voice how “it’s just a game” or how the tragedy “puts things in perspective” regarding what is truly important. And that’s as it should be. As much as I (and plenty of readers) may enjoy sports, they really aren’t that important in the bigger picture. And sports are a lot more central to our culture

SEE BEER, PAGE E10

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E8 | THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2020

THE REPUBLICAN | MASSLIVE.COM

Thanksgiving WITH TABLE 3 RESTAURANT GROUP

THANKSGIVING DAY Takeout MENU at The Duck & Avellino Enjoy a great Thanksgiving day take-out meal from The Duck & Avellino and enjoy $10 off your order of $50 or more when using offer SAVE10.

5QFHJ ^TZW pre-order and specify a pick-up time for 11/26 by calling 508-347-2321. View the menu at table3restaurantgroup.com/thanksgiving.

Online orders placed on Thanksgiving Day may require a pickup time of an hour or more.

$10 OFF

Reservations are limited!

Traditional

Thanksgiving Day Feast Thursday, November 26th at The Duck & Avellino 2FNS 8YWJJY a a YMJIZHPXYZWGWNILJ HTR a F[JQQNSTWJXYFZWFSY HTR

A bountiful and festive dinner prepared by Head Chef, Eric Jolin, with all your favorites and some of ours too. Our UWN] ‫]ܪ‬J Thanksgiving Day Menu includes a bakery basket, choice of soup or salad, entrée with sides, and choice of dessert—all for $39.95 per guest (plus tax & gratuity).

CHOICE OF ENTRÉE 9WFINYNTSFQ 7TFXY 9ZWPJ^ 8YZK‫ܪ‬SL a 0NSL (ZY 5WNRJ 7NG )NSSJW Hazelnut Crusted Salmon a 5ZRUPNS 8FLJ 7F[NTQN

WHEN YOU SPEND $50 code:SAVE10

Valid thru 11.26.20. Order must be $50 before tax and gratuity. atuity. Cannot be able sales tax. combined with other offers. Customer responsible for applicable

TABLE 3 RESTAURANT GROUP

Visit table3restaurantgroup.com/thanksgiving to view the complete menu.

Make your reservation now by calling 508-347-2321. table3restaurantgroup.com/thanksgiving

THANKSGIVING CATERING

OPEN THANKSGIVING DAY FROM 7AM–NOON

Comfort. Food.

Enjoy a complete Thanksgiving Dinner or choose from scrumptious salads, sides, sauces, and desserts at home!

See the full menu at table3restaurantgroup.com/thanksgiving.

To order, call the Café at 508-347-6800. Orders must be placed by 2pm Monday, Nov. 23. Pick up times at Cedar Street Café are Wednesday, Nov. 25 from 7am–3pm or Thursday Nov. 26 from 7am–Noon.

AT THE BARN

Thanksgiving Dinner

420 Main Street 508-347-5800 cedarstreetgrille.com

Thursday, November 26th at The Barn at Wight Farm

Reservations are limited!

Cedar Street Grille at The Barn will be offering outstanding UQFYJI UWJ ‫]ܪ‬J 9MFSPXLN[NSL INSSJWX YMNX ^JFW

.YѣX \MFY 9FGQJ NX FQQ FGTZY 3T\ YMFY TZW TZYITTW XJFXTS NX TK‫ܪ‬HNFQQ^ HTRNSL YT FS JSI \JѣI QNPJ YT NS[NYJ ^TZ GFHPѰ

Inside.

RTWJ KWJVZJSY XFSNYN_FYNTS XHMJIZQJ NSHQZINSL YMJ FIINYNTS TK F XYFYJ of the art sanitization fogger), as well as adding other precautions and JVZNURJSY XZHM FX NSHWJFXJI XUFHNSL GJY\JJS INSNSL YFGQJX HQJFW plastic dividers where applicable, and we have improved our indoor air We also understand that sometimes you may prefer a night at home… VZFQNY^ \NYM YMJ FIINYNTS TK 2*7; FNW ‫ܪ‬QYJWX YT TZW -;&( X^XYJR HT_^ NSXNIJ TW RF^GJ LFYMJWJI FWTZSI ^TZW ‫ܪ‬WJѰ \Jѣ[J LTY YMFY HT[JWJI Our staff partake in daily wellness screenings (including temperature too. Our takeout options are always fresh and varied, offering you a HMJHPX FSI TK HTZWXJ \J FWJ HTRRNYYJI YT UWT[NINSL UWTUJW 55* KTW RJSZ TK HMTNHJX YT JSOT^ YMJ ‫ܫ‬F[TWX TK 9FGQJ FS^\MJWJ all of our employees. In addition, our online takeout ordering system The COVID challenge: How have we approached it? As always, at all and curbside pickup provides a truly contactless experience.

Table3 Restaurant Group locations, we are committed to putting the So, relax and dine with us. Inside. \JQKFWJ TK TZW HZXYTRJWX FSI XYFKK â&#x20AC;«Üªâ&#x20AC;¬WXY <J MF[J RFIJ XNLSNâ&#x20AC;«Üªâ&#x20AC;¬HFSY NS[JXYRJSYXÑ&#x;GTYM NS JVZNURJSY FSI YNRJÑ&#x;NSYT FQQ TK TZW [JSZJX <J MF[J ~The staff at Cedar Street Grille, The Duck, Avellino, and Cedar Street Café increased our already stringent cleaning methods by implementing a We have been working diligently inside to ensure that we can continue to create and serve amazing meals, provide a warm, fun atmosphere and an attentive dining experience for you, your friends and your family.

TABLE 3 RESTAURANT GROUP

Your delicious holiday meal prepared by Head Chef, 9TS^ 5NYYX \NQQ NSHQZIJ F MTZXJ RFIJ GFPJW^ GFXPJY choice of soup or salad, entrée with sides, and choice of dessertâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;all for $39.95 per guest (plus tax & gratuity).

CHOICE OF ENTRÃ&#x2030;E 9WFINYNTSFQ 7TFXY 9ZWPJ^ 8YZKâ&#x20AC;«Üªâ&#x20AC;¬SL 5FS 8JFWJI 8FQRTSa 0NSL (ZY 5WNRJ 7NG )NSSJW 7TFXY 8YZKKJI 5TWP 1TNS a 'ZYYJWSZY 8VZFXM 7F[NTQN Visit table3restaurantgroup.com/thanksgiving to view the complete menu. Make your reservation now by calling 508-347-5800.

table3restaurantgroup.com

THE REPUBLICAN | MASSLIVE.COM

WEEKEND

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2020 | E9

DINE & WINE

Best Sandwiches in America winners named

W

The Group’s other Sturbridge This year the feast is planned location, the Cedar Street for Dec. 17, with a 6:30 p.m.

Grille, will be specializing in seating. Cost per person is family-sized catered options. $68, not including tax or tip.

For more details go to Reservations are a must and table3restaurantgroup.com/ they can be made by calling thanksgiving.

508-347-2321.

The Table 3 team will also be • Denny’s Restaurant looffering a full range of dining options for Thanksgiving, Nov. cations have introduced a new lineup of “melt” sandwiches 26.

• Plant-based meat replaceCedar Street Grille and The and bowls. ments continue to move into Among the sandwich newDuck and Avellino, all in Sturbridge, will be open for socially bies are The Grand Slamwich, the menu mainstream, with which features scrambled the Pizza Hut division of Yum! distanced, indoor dining on Thanksgiving Day, with a menu eggs, sausage, bacon, ham, and Brands this month introducing plant-based meat topping of holiday favorites at all three American cheese on toasted options for its pizzas. potato bread; an All-American locations.

Pizza Hut’s culinary team Patty Melt that’s finished with Take home dining is also has worked with El Segundo, two cheeses, caramelized onbeing offered by The Duck ions, and a special “All AmerCalifornia-based Beyond Meat and Avellino, with individuican” sauce; and a Chicken to produce a protein alternative al meals available for either SEE MENU, PAGE E12 pre-order or that-day pickup. that Pizza Hut claims tastes like its current Italian sausage topping.

The new topping is being featured in a Beyond Italian Sausage pie, where it joins mozzarella and tomato sauce as toppings, and in a Great Beyond Pizza that includes chopped tomato, sliced red onion, and banana peppers as additional garnishes.

In announcing the new plant-based meat topping, Pizza Hut marketing personnel ACROSS FROM THE BEACH - also suggested that the chain THE VILLAGE GREEN. Rates from is working to create a nonmeat $60 - $85 to 5/21/21 (excluding holidays, alternative pepperoni, which is currently Pizza Hut’s best-sellsome restrictions apply). 3 Night Special ing topping.

Patio dining continues, weather permitting, and Family Dinner Specials To Go are still being offered.

To check out the operation’s menu, go to irishcenterwne. org/restaurant-and-pub/ menu. The telephone number at the Irish House is 413-3424358.

Hugh Robert Off The Menu

According to Restaurant Hospitality, this year’s winning cohort displayed some common trends – they favored chicken and pork, often included potato in some form, and were designed to travel well ... ramen noodles, kimchi, garlic sauce, and corn.

Grilled Hawaiian bread is the framework of a DTH Lobster and Crab Stuffed Grilled Cheese, a specialty of Down the Hatch in Lahaina, Hawaii. The sandwich’s secret, apart from its filling of lobster, crab, cabbage, and tomatoes, is the manner in which it is prepared. Mayonnaise, not butter, is spread on the bread before grilling, a substitution that gives the sandwich a rich, crispy character.

More of the winning sandwiches can be seen at restaurant-hospitality.com/ best sandwiches/.

TRAVELER CAPE COD

• Bistro Les Gras in Northampton has announced that it is going on “winter break,” which began Nov. 13.

The emailed announcement of the seasonal closing said the decision was based on a desire to “spend much needed time with family over the holidays and take account of everything.”

No information about how long Bistro Les Gras’s holiday hiatus might last was provided.

• The Table 3 Restaurant Group in Sturbridge has sent out an early announcement for its “Feast of the Seven Fishes” holiday event, an Italian-style Christmas celebration.

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Side dishes • The Irish House Restaurant at the Irish Cultural Center in West Springfield has announced that it is updating its late-fall operating hours.

In addition to being open Thursday and Friday evenings from 4 to 10 p.m., the restaurant will also open Saturdays at 1 p.m., with an 8 p.m. closing time.

New England

313560 3135607-01 313560 6007-011

E ALL EAT A LOT of sandwiches; estimates are that here in the U.S. about 300 million or more are consumed every day. The popularity of sandwiches shouldn’t be surprising — they’re easy to make, enjoy-anywhere portable, and can serve as a creative canvas on which ingredients, flavors and textures can be mixed and matched.

Every September, Restaurant Hospitality, a publication that focuses on commercial restaurant operations, conducts its Best Sandwiches in America competition, a contest that offers no cash prizes but lots of recognition.

In late October the magazine’s editors announced the winners of the 2020 competition, a group of eight sandwich selected for their creativity and taste bud appeal.

According to Restaurant Hospitality, this year’s winning cohort displayed some common trends — they favored chicken and pork, often included potato in some form, and were designed to travel well, a characteristic reflecting a year when pickup and delivery are a big part of the game.

Here’s a sampling from this year’s winners.

The “Bad Mutha Clucka,” a towering construct for two, features the fiery heat of Nashville-style chicken along with the rich smoke flavor of slab bacon. A specialty of Hot Chick in Richmond, Virginia, the sandwich is also designed to be have the sort of visual impact that makes it social media ready.

In the vegetarian category, Curio in San Francisco walked away with the honors, thanks to its Katsu Cheddar sandwich.

Featuring a slab of fried, panko-crusted sharp cheddar, the sandwich gets extra character and crunch from a garnish of kimchi.

Grilled cheese goes Far Eastern when The Sandwich Society in Santa Ana, California, creates one. Its Ramen Grilled Cheese incorporates

E10 | THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2020

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THE REPUBLICAN | MASSLIVE.COM

DINE & WINE

Beer CONTINUED FROM PAGE E7

than beer. Just think about how much money and fame sports bring to a lot of folks. Maybe a few exist, but there aren’t a lot of multimillionaire brewers out there.

(And of course money isn’t the end-all and be-all of everything either. But in our culture, it certainly provides a measuring stick about what we value, for better or worse.)

But beer, like so many other things that a large group of people enjoy, is not important in and of itself. Beer is not a mother setting eyes on her child for the first time after giving birth. Beer is not the embrace given to a young soldier making it home after serving her country.

Beer is not the gaze shared between a couple who have just said “I do” to each other. Beer is not the delight we take when our dog greets us lovingly after a long day at work. Beer is not the solemn honor in our hearts when we hear the eulogy of a loved one who has died.

Beer, of course, can be a conduit for all sorts of great experiences. We share beer to celebrate the good times and the bad. Beer can serve as a hub to bring folks together at a table that creates community.

But the beer itself is not the important thing. It’s a tool, like so many others, that sometimes can be used to create the environment for the truly important things in life.

I have nothing but respect for people in the beer industry, from my brewer friends to those who sell it to my colleagues who also write about it. And as great as some of the beer I drink is, I’d much prefer to abandon beer rather than lose the connections I’ve made because of beer.

Because in the end, it’s only beer.

Wines ideal for Thanksgiving (and leftovers)

L

ET ME BEGIN THIS story by saying that almost any great wine goes perfectly with Thanksgiving dinner.

Between the turkey, the stuffing, pumpkin pie and all the other foods often associated with this holiday, you almost can’t go wrong with a great red, white or sparkling wine.

I’ve written here before about many different Thanksgiving wines.

But this year, I thought I would do something a little different.

Because some of us might not be traveling to see family or friends, many of us might have more leftovers than usual this Thanksgiving.

The idea of eating turkey and stuffing several days in a row might seem monotonous to some people. (Personally?

I could eat Thanksgiving leftovers for weeks.)

But fear not. If you do decide to cook a turkey and all the fixings, these recommended wines should help you make it through several days of leftovers. These wines also cover a wide price range just in case you want to save a little or splurge just a bit. That’s why I’ve recommended a few wines under $20 a bottle and a few wines over $20 a bottle.

One thing to keep in mind is many refrigerated white wines will last for days (easily a week in many cases) after you open the bottle. So will some red wines kept at room temperature.

That’s why I would recommend having these different wines in this order. But, again, it’s your holiday. Drink the wines you love whenever you feel like drinking them.

Between the turkey, the stuffing, pumpkin pie and all the other foods often associated with this holiday, you almost can’t go wrong with a great red, white or sparkling wine. (KEN ROSS PHOTO)

• Dibon Cava Brut Reserve ($9.99 at Table & Vine in West Springfield) One of my favorite Spanish cavas, this wonderful, dry sparkling wine has a clean, crisp taste. I especially love this sparkling wine’s well-balanced finish. By well-balanced, I mean that the Dibon wasn’t too overpowering or underwhelmKen Ross ing. It tasted just right. That Wine Press might also explain why this wine tastes great with a wide than the sound of a popping range of foods (sliced meats, cork. Second, sparkling wine hard cheese) or on its own. and Champagne go great with Let me add that this delightful roasted turkey. Third, once you sparkling wine is made using a open a bottle, you should finish blend of three grapes – macabeo, parellada and xarello – usit the same day. Unlike many ing the Methode Traditionelle, red or white wines, sparkling traditional method. wine loses some of its sparkle • Mionetto Luxury after a few hours. (Let me add you can read more about many Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore DOCG ($19 Suggested more sparkling wines and Retail Price) Champagnes in the next few One of my favorite Minoweeks to come.)

Thanksgiving Day etto proseccos, this elegant If it’s just two of you or may- Sparkling wines under $20 sparkling wine always stands be four adults, I would recomWhen it comes to affordable, out. With hints of white peach, mend having a sparkling wine dry sparkling wines, few wine citrus and apple, this prosecco or Champagne on Thanksregions can hold a candle to also has a smooth, buttery fingiving Day. (And if it’s just ish. It is one of the most graceSpain, which produces many ful, Italian sparkling wines on yourself, you can always buy affordable cava sparkling sparkling wine or Champagne wines. And while some Italian the market. Bravo! by the half bottle.) Here’s why. prosecco wines are sweeter, First, there’s nothing more fes- there are many great dry wines Sparkling wines over $20 tive for celebrating the holiday for under $20 a bottle.

If you’re going to splurge

for Thanksgiving, get the best sparkling wine in the world – Champagne. And while I’ve said this before, I’ll say it again.

Champagne can only come from the Champagne region of France. So what makes Champagne so great and perfect for Thanksgiving dinner? Its crisp, bone-dry finish pairs perfectly with the hearty flavors often associated with many turkey meals. Here are two of my favorite dry Champagnes. And again, let me add that you can read more about many other Champagnes prefect for the holidays in the next few weeks.

• Laurent Perrier Non Vintage Brut ‘La Cuvee’ Champagne ($44.99 at Table & Vine) One of my favorite champagne producers, Laurent Perrier has been making great Champagne since 1812. I could have easily picked several other Laurent Perrier champagnes (including its “Brut Nature,” another outstanding one) but I decided to recommend this one since it’s affordable, readily available and perfect for Thanksgiving. Its flavors are crisp, dry, slightly nutty (think roasted almonds) and refreshing.

SEE WINE, PAGE E11

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DINE & WINE

Wine

and the salty sea air in every sip. I’ve written several times about New Zealand sauvignon CONTINUED FROM PAGE E10 blancs. And while there are • Taittinger Brut La Fran- many great ones out there, if caise Non Vintage Chamyou’re looking for something pagne ($45 SRP) tried and true, you can never Along with Laurent Perrier, go wrong with the Kim CrawTaittinger produces several ford Sauvignon Blanc, a dry, outstanding Champagnes at a crisp, refreshing white wine wide range of prices. Honestly, that pairs perfectly with many I have never had a bad bottle Thanksgiving feasts. of Taittinger Champagne.

• 2018 Jean-Marc Brocard They’re all dry, crisp, refreshChablis ($18 SRP) ing and bursting with flavor. Its Prices have slowly started Brut La Francaise Champagne to inch their way higher in has a crisp, refreshing, toasted recent years for many Chablis nut flavor, along with a dash wines from France’s Chablis of melted butter. It is a great subregion in Burgundy. I’m Champagne produced by true not surprised. These crisp, dry, artists since 1734. flinty white wines overflow with chalky, delightful, mineral-like Black Friday flavors. And this one from JeanThe day after Thanksgiving Marc Brocard is an absolute you will almost surely have gem. This wine is slightly flintlots of leftovers, no matter how ier and much more flavorful many people you have over for than many of the other Chablis wines. It’s also a perfect, classic dinner the day before. Now’s Thanksgiving wine. the time I would recommend opening a nice bottle or two White wines over $20 of white wine. Why? Because • 2018 Joh. Jos. Prum as I briefly explained a few Graacher Himmelreich Riesparagraphs ago, an open ling Kabinett ($38 SRP) bottle of white wine kept in a If money were no object and refrigerator (preferably under 40 degrees Fahrenheit) should I could drink one white wine on a regular basis, the wines last about a week. So if you open one or two bottles today, I would choose would come from this winery, which has there’s no pressure to finish been making wine in the Mosel these wine right away either. region of Germany since the White wines 1100s. I have honestly never Many crisp, dry white wines had a bad wine from J. J. Prum. pair perfectly with ThanksThey all have a dazzling, giving dinner. In particular, golden, slightly sweet flavor.

I’m especially partial to New And once you figure out the Zealand sauvignon blancs as confusing labels, I think you well as certain German rieswill really appreciate these lings and chardonnays from spectacular wines if you ever France’s Burgundy region and feel like splurging. And what California. Below, you can find better time to splurge than several recommendations in all Thanksgiving. price ranges. Hope you enjoy.

Graacher Himmelreich refers to the specific winery where White wines under $20 the grapes are grown. This • 2019 Kim Crawford vineyard’s one of J.J. Prum’s Marlborough Sauvignon best, along with Wehlener Sonnenuhr. But here again, don’t Blanc ($16 SRP) Sauvignon blanc wines have worry too much about specific become increasingly popular vineyards. All the J. J. Prum’s in recent years as wine drinkare delicious. And this one in ers gravitate towards drier, particular abounds with crisp, more flavorful wines. And dry, refreshing flavors. few wines or wine regions fit • 2018 Chateau Montelethis bill better than sauvignon na Napa Valley Chardonnay ($60 SRP) blancs from the Marlborough I’ll write more about this region of New Zealand. You outstanding white wine soon, can practically taste the grass

The 2018 Chateau Montelena Napa Valley Chardonnay is among the recommended wines for Thanksgiving.

(KEN ROSS PHOTO)

but I just wanted to make sure I recommended this crisp, flinty and slightly floral chardonnay from California’s Napa Valley. There’s a reason this classic white wine is one of the best known and most respected white wines made in California. And I can’t think of a better white wine to recommend for this Thanksgiving.

Saturday If you still have Thanksgiving leftovers two days later, congratulations. Just remember to get up once in a while from your turkey coma before sinking back into the couch for several more hours.

On this day, I would recommend opening up a red wine.

If you decide to open a nice red on Thanksgiving Day itself, just keep in mind that most red wines only taste great the first or second day.

It’s rare for many wines to keep all their flavors and aromas for three days or more. So if you did decide to open a nice red wine on Thursday, don’t be surprised if the wine isn’t quite as exciting as it was two days ago.

Red wines When it comes to Thanksgiving feasts and leftovers, you can never go wrong with pinot noir or zinfandel, two very different but complementary red wines when it comes to pairing them with many of the foods served on Thanksgiving. I would also recommend certain Cotes Du Rhone wines — and a few surprises listed below — for their versatile, earthy flavors.

Red wines under $20 • 2016 E. Guigal Cotes Du Rhone Rouge ($13.99 at Table & Vine) This classic red wine from France’s Rhone region never goes out of style. And the 2016 vintage in particular is just as great — if not better — than the outstanding 2015 vintage.

Made with a blend of 50% syrah, 40% grenache and 10% mourvedre, you can’t go wrong with this earthy, robust yet smooth red wine for Thanksgiving.

• 2014 August Cellars Pinot Noir Willamette Valley ($17.99 at Provisions in Northampton) There’s a reason why many winemakers from France’s famed Burgundy region started making pinot noir wines in Oregon’s Willamette Valley several years ago. The soil and climate in this part of Oregon is perfect for making hearty yet smooth pinot noir wines. You can easily spend a fortune on a great pinot noir from Burgundy or France. This magnificent, easy drinking pinot proves you can still find a great bargain without sacrificing quality.

2014 August Cellars Pinot Noir Willamette Valley is one the wines recommended this week for Thanksgiving.

(KEN ROSS PHOTO)

sauvignon, 20% zinfandel, 15% malbec, 20% petite sirah, 5% merlot, 5% carignan and 5% grenache, this delicious red wine strikes just the right balance between being earthy and robust while at the same time being smooth and complex.

Let me add that this fascinating wine tastes just as great the second day as the first day.

• 2018 Gerard Bertrand Cigalus ($50 SRP) This outstanding winery located in France’s Languedoc region makes a wide range of wines — from roses to whites to many different types of reds — in many different price ranges — from $10 a bottle to $250. This particular, powerful red blend hits all the right notes and tasted terrific over two days.

Made with a blend of seven different grapes (cabernet sauvignon, cabernet franc, merlot, syrah, grenache, caladoc and carignan), this big, earthy wine has a dense yet smooth finish that lasts several minutes after each sip. The first day, I noticed plum-like flavors in particular.

The second day, those flavors were slightly more muted but still lively and lush and delicious from start to finish. An absolute masterpiece perfect for a long holiday weekend.

Sunday Hopefully, you’re nearing the finish line for finishing all your Thanksgiving leftovers and leftover wines as well. If you opened the white wines on Friday and the red wines on Saturday, you should still have many great wines to enjoy on Sunday afternoon.

Again, I would recommend finishing the red wines you opened on Saturday first since they’re not going to get any better. And don’t worry about finishing the white wines. As I explained, you still have a few more days to enjoy them.

So here’s hoping you have a fun, festive and safe Thanksgiving weekend filled with lots of delicious food and wonderful wines.

Cheers!

Red wines over $20 • 2018 Banshee Mordecai Red Blend ($25 SRP) This relatively unknown California winery specializes in making great, affordable wines. And while they have a few great ones to choose from, this one stood out during a Wine Press by Ken Ross aprecent online tasting I attended pears on Masslive.com every and would pair perfectly with Monday and in The Republican’s Thanksgiving dinner. Made weekend section every Thursday. with a blend of 30% cabernet

E12 | THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2020

WEEKEND

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Menu

Student Prince will also be preparing a former signature dish, veal shank.

CONTINUED FROM PAGE E9 The restaurant will celebrate ‘N’ Shroom Melt that brings the fall hunting season through together sautéed mushrooms, Nov. 22 with a “pop-up” Huntspinach, Swiss cheese, and a er’s Week menu. Entrees “on the grilled chicken breast. wild side” will range from grilled The two new “bowl” creations kangaroo filet and baby back include a Steakhouse Deluxe wild boar ribs to hasenpfeffer Bowl with grilled prime rib and (braised rabbit). a breakfast-inspired Chicken, Reserve online at Biscuit, and Gravy Bowl. The studentprince.com or call 413latter is built on two open-faced 734-7475 for more information. biscuits; they’re topped with fried chicken tenders, country • The Delaney House in gravy, cheddar cheese, and two Holyoke is promoting two upeggs. coming “Date Night Dilemma” Denny’s is also bringing back evenings. its Turkey & Dressing Dinner Planned for tomorrow and as a holiday season limitNov. 27, the dilemma these date ed-time-offer. night events pose is making a There are Denny’s locachoice from among three “surf tions in Greater Springfield at ‘n’ turf ” options — Gorgonzola Northampton Street in Holyoke, sirloin with blackened salmon, at Boston Road and Pasco Road petit filet mignon with shrimp in Springfield, on Memorial bruschetta, or prime rib with Drive in Chicopee, and on Elm garlic shrimp.

Street in Enfield.

The four-course menu also includes an appetizer course, • The Student Prince salad, warm popovers, and and The Fort Restaurant in a chef ’s trio dessert. A local Springfield has brought back, on brewery flight is served with the a limited-time-only basis, some appetizer course; red and white of what the restaurant calls its wines will be poured during the “classic” menu items. entree.

A combination of mid-20th The event, which begins at 6 century “gourmet” and tradip.m., is priced at $59 plus tax tional Central European speand gratuity. Reservations are cialties, the Classics menu lists limited; call 413-535-5077 for favorites such as filet of salmon information or to book a seat.

Oscar, tournedos of beef NepHugh Robert is a faculty memtune, and classic beef stroganoff. ber in Holyoke Community ColAmong the Old World lege’s hospitality and culinary arts specialties being reprised are program and has nearly 45 years veal asbach, zwiebelflesich of restaurant and educational (onion roast), and lendensteak experience. Robert can be reached (chopped sirloin). online at OffTheMenuGuy@ On Fridays and Saturdays The aol.com.

OPEN FOR Indoor Dining

Curbside Take Out Service Available 2 Broad Street, Westfield • 562-0335

SELECTIONS Orders must be placed by Monday, November 23rd and

by Wednesday, 25th at 4pm.25th at 4pm.

Orders must picked be placed byup Monday, November 23rd and November picked up by Wednesday, November ToTo Order, stop by the store or call 413-732-5428 (Springfield) or 413-525-9400 (East Longmeadow) Order, stop by the store or call 413-732-5428 (Springfi eld) or 413-525-9400 (East Longmeadow)

Thanksgiving Feast Feast Chef’s Thanksgiving Chef’sStyle Style Serves 10-12 people $225.00

Traditional Thanksgiving Thanksgiving Feast Traditional Feast Serves 10-12 people $189

Additional Servings $19.90 each Serves 10-12 people $225.00 Additional Servings $19.90 each • Stuffed or Unstuffed Boneless Turkey Breast • Homemade Sausage Stuffing with herbs, • Stuffed or Unstuffed Boneless Turkey Breast onions, celery and carrots • Homemade Sausage Stuffing w/ herbs, • Cranberry Sauce onions, celery and carrots • Garlic Mashed Potatoes • Cranberry Sauce • Roasted Butternut Squash with Brown Sugar • Garlic Mashed Potatoes • Fresh Turkey Gravy • Roasted Butternut Squash w/ Brown Sugar • Garlic Knots • Fresh Turkey Gravy • Choice of one Pie: • Garlic Knots • Apple, Pumpkin, Pecan, Chocolate Cream • Choice of one Pie: Apple, Pumpkin, Pecan, Chocolate Cream

Additional Servings $17.90 each Serves 10-12 people $189 Additional Servings $17.90 each • Fresh Oven Roasted Turkey • Homemade Sausage Stuffing with herbs, • Fresh Oven Roasted Turkey onions, celery and carrots • Homemade Sausage Stuffing with herbs, • Cranberry Sauce onions, celery and carrots • Garlic Mashed Potatoes • Cranberry Sauce • Roasted Butternut Squash with Brown Sugar • Garlic Mashed Potatoes • Fresh Turkey Gravy • Roasted Butternut Squash with Brown Sugar • Garlic Knots • Fresh Turkey Gravy • Choice of one Pie: • Garlic Knots • Apple, Pumpkin, Pecan, Chocolate Cream • Choice of one Pie: • Apple, Pumpkin, Pecan, Chocolate Cream

Thanksgiving Feast Feast Add-Ons Thanksgiving Add-Ons Side DishesUp ServeTo Up12 To People 12 People | |Each pan pan is a 9”x13” Side Dishes Serve Each is asize 9”x13” size Butternut Soup Soup $12/quart • Butternut $12/quart GarlicMashed Mashed Potatoes $30/pan • Garlic Potatoes $30/pan StringBean Bean Almandine $30/pan • String Almandine $30/pan Butternut Squash Squash with $35/pan • Butternut w/ Brown BrownSugar Sugar $35/pan Homemade Sausage Sausage Stuffing $30/pan • Homemade Stuffing $30/pan TurkeyGravy Gravy $8.99/quart • Turkey $8.99/quart Roasted Fingerling Potato $30.00 • Roasted Fingerling Potato $30.00 • Stuffed Artichokes $6.99/each

Stuffed ArtichokesSauce $6.99/each • Cranberry $4.99/sauce Cranberry $4.99/sauce • StoreSauce Baked Pies $11.99/each Store(Apple, Baked Pies $11.99/each Pumpkin, Pecan, Chocolate Cream) (Apple, Pumpkin, Pecan, Chocolate Cream)10+) $80 • Whole Turkey 10-15 lbs (serves Whole Turkey 10-15 lbs (serves • Boneless Turkey Breast10+) $80 Boneless Turkey Breast | Stuffed | Unstuffed $45 Stuff ed $65 | Unstuff ed$65 $45 Brussel Candied Pecan $35.00 • Brussel Candied Pecan $35.00 00

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Thanksgiving Feast