Recently I ask Kristin McClarnon at Summerset Winery what wines she recommended for Thanksgiving Dinner. Here are her suggestions.

With each course of your Thanksgiving feast Summerset offers the perfect complement for every flavor.  To start your meal off right, open up a bottle of Vidal Blanc, Matina Blanc or Kiss Me.   These white wines are crisp, refreshing and divine with a light salad.  Depending on your taste the Vidal is dry with a citric edge, the Matina is semi-dry, full flavored and smooth, comparable to a Pinot Gris and the Kiss Me is semi-sweet comparable to a Riesling.

The Summerset signature wine, Caba Moch, is a gold medal winner and is absolutely delicious by itself, but to add a new twist this year try it with your traditional turkey dinner and dressing.  This Rosé style wine is light, fruity and slightly sweet that will not overpower the delicate flavors of your turkey - it creates a mouthwatering appeal that will enhance the flavors of your food for a perfectly balanced meal.  If serving red meat offer up the Marechal Foch.  Another gold medal winner, this dry red has soft tannins, spice, is lightly oaked and possesses the essence of raspberry and strawberry. 

It’s time for dessert… so pull out a bottle of Vintage Red or Concord.  These reds present an ideal addition if serving a heavy dessert.  The Vintage Red is a semi-dry blend, full flavored and robust with hints of cherries, currants & spice.  The Concord is a deep red, full of intense grape flavors.  On the lighter side, the Edelweiss, Harvest White or LaCrosse would enhance the flavors of a fruity dessert.  The Edelweiss is light and sweet with a green apple tart and hints of grapefruit and pineapple.  The Harvest White, our #2 seller, is an international gold medal winner and is made primarily of Catawba grapes.  It is sweet and tart with a hint of sweet pink grapefruit in the finish.  The LaCrosse is smooth and sweet with the essence of pear, peach and honey.

Your meal is complete… now take a nap.

By the way, Kristin said many folks have been asking about Summerset Mead and Festiva, and here’s the good news:

Our Mead is back!!!  Just in time for the holidays we have brought back not only our much missed Mead – but also our Festiva and Vidal Blanc!  For those of you that aren’t familiar with our Mead, it is fermented honey and is the perfect cold weather hot toddy when served warm and mulled with our special blend of spices.  You can also enjoy it chilled all by itself.  The Festiva is a sparkling wine similar to an Asti Spumante.  It is a delicious, sweet bubbly blend of white grapes.  Our Vidal Blanc is a delightfully crisp and refreshing white wine with a citric finish. 

Cheers!

Barbara Rasko

Make Mine Wine

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