Aaron Winsor
Hello Prince Albert! Everyone loves a good deal and this is especially true when the value far exceeds the cost of a product or service.
For this reason, my hunt for delicious yet affordable wines never ceases and new wines are always being discovered for great prices. Hopefully my wine choices this month will allow you to save a few dollars and also discover some new food pairings along the way!
During the holidays many foods will be prepared and passed around the table; family favorites, new recipes and classic dishes. Having turkey or chicken?
Pair it with a tasty pinot grigio or rose. If beef dishes make a regular appearance, try a beautiful Syrah. Fresh veggies will be complimented by all three of these wine choices.
One of the most important factors to consider when pairing with holiday meals is the main flavor component of the dish. For example, if cabbage rolls are served, tomatoes are the main factor to deal with (tomatoes have high acidity and need a matching acidity in the wine). Beef is simple, red wines with some presence of tannins and good intensity (cab sauv, syrah, carmenere, shiraz). When serving chicken, whites are obvious but don’t overlook reds as long as they are not too tannic or heavy they can still be paired successfully! Here are my wine and beer picks of the week!
Castelnuovo Pinot Grigio Garganega: (Italy). Dry white, pale lemon color. Bright citrus on the nose with lemon/lime peels and pink grapefruit pith. Plenty of citrus on the palate with citrus pith, earthy minerals and a crisp texture. Very refreshing! Medium-plus acidity, medium-minus body and high intensity. Affordable and delicious. Pair with seafood or chicken. $16, 13% ABV
Portada Wine Maker’s Selection Rose: (Portugal). Off-dry rose, medium salmon color. Juicy and simple on the nose featuring strawberry and fresh raspberries with hints of black currant juice. Soft on the palate with medium acidity and medium body. A touch of residual sugar makes this light and accessible and very easy to sip on. Pair with spicy Asian foods. $12, 11.5% ABV
Torreon de Parades Syrah: (Rengo, Chile). Dry red, medium purple color. Medium intensity on the nose with delicately cooked red fruits (raspberry and cherry) and hints of bread or yeast. On the palate: medium body and medium intensity with hints of vanilla spice and soft, red fruits. Very elegant and easy to sip on. Pair with lamb, venison or Gouda. $22, 13.5% ABV
Red Racer Outdoor Adventure Pack: (BC, Canada). This advent calendar is comprised of 24 – 500ml cans of one-time Canadian beers. Each beer is different and brewed specifically for this holiday season. Beers of note so far have been the Basil Lager, the Barrel-aged Imperial Porter and the Sweet Potato and Maple Ale. Great for the family beer enthusiast! Don’t forget to check those beers in on the Untappd app to get your beer badges! While you’re at it, add me as a friend on Untappd under Aaron Winsor. $75
Cheers and thanks for reading!
Aaron Winsor is a Prince Albert local whose work experience with the SLGA is what ignited his passion for high quality wines, beers and spirits. He has continued his wine education through WSET (Wine Spirit Education Trust) and has achieved level 3. Check him out on Instagram @aaron_the_wine_guy
