May I Suggest...
By Barbara Kozlowski (12/19/08)
For the Village Wine Rack

The holidays of HANUKKAH and CHRISTMAS are just around the corner with NEW YEAR’S following close by and everyone seems to be in a flurry of activity, STOP, take a deep breath and savor a moment for yourself. It’s so important during this season that we enjoy the events of the season and count the blessings of family and friends, both near and far.

MAY I SUGGEST. . .that you stop by THE VILLAGE WINE RACK and check out Candy’s latest wine selections. There are three new Pinot Noir I am looking forward to trying, ERATH and ARGYLE from Oregon and HOB NOB from France. I will give you my opinion next week as I won’t have chance to try these before printing time. From pass experience and tasting from several years ago, I will recommend both the ARGYLE and ERATH. Candy also told me she has several other new wines coming in and I am looking forward to trying them and reporting to you about them.

MAY I ALSO SUGGEST. . .
when it’s time to select wine for your gathering, consider the following general rules for pairing:

1. Be body conscious
2. Balance extremes
3. Pair likes
4. Look to locals
5. Mix & match
6. Bridge the gap

In essence, pair light weight foods with lighter weight wine; rich dishes pair with tart, high-acid wine, a sweeter wine with salty foods, etc; pair peppery foods with Rhone Valley style wines, fruity sauces with rich fruity wines; try New York State wines or those from the Ontario region; try a red wine with fish or seafood and a rich Chardonnay wine with grilled chicken; when ordering wine for a mixed selection of entrees, choose a wine that will compliment each dish such as an Oregon Pinot Noir pairs with salmon, sea scallops and steak. The old adage of ‘white wine with fish and red wine with meat’ or ‘drink whatever you want’ may work sometimes but often may not.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO EVERYONE & DRINK RESPONSIBLY!!!
BON APETIT & SKAAL!!!!