Turkey Wine

Today on Facebook I saw a post from the Executive Editor at The Cork Report. He wrote "Do people really panic about Thanksgiving wine pairings? Do they really need "expert" advice?"

I had no hesitation in giving my simple reply NO!  People are busy with arranging the event the meal. Very little time is spent in worrying about the wine. So many people are either red or white. It's that simple.

I myself go for a light refreshing white. No special trips to the store are made. Red is always available for those who prefer it.

The only time you worry is when you invite someone who is connected with the industry who is so in a special way. Otherwise, your inviting family and friends whose tastes you already know.

There is a wide array of wines suggested by the wine writers such as Gamay, Pinot Noir and Zinfindel. Dry Rose and Sangiovese. I suggest Milo, Riesling or Bacchus.

This year at Thanksgiving we did not have turkey. For Christmas, we will be the guest, whatever they serve I am sure I will be extremely happy . I will be among friends and that is more than enough to make any wine better.

Writer's Block

Enjoying an afternoon and evening party of six good friends our host Peter and June introduced us to a wine from California.  It was the interesting labels ( front and back) that caught our interest. The wine was called Writer's Block. On the front label, it read  "bottled and produced by OMS Group Kelseyville California". Kelseyville is in the Lake Country north of Napa Valley where this year's forest fires endangered and destroyed some wineries.

The back label was most interesting with a verse in American English and old world English written byAnn Holmes.

I decided to Google OMS Group to see what I could find about this wine. There was only a reference to a Company in Ontario, Canada. So this was a dead end. I then Google Writer's Block Wine. This provided only a brief note on the wine itself nothing about its producer.

This time I Googled wineries in Kelseyville California. It was winery number six that provided the answer. Stelle winery was the producer. Although if you go through their current list of wines for sale Writer's Block 2012 Petite Sirah is not listed. Sirah is the spelling on the label. Their website spells it Syrah. Further research was required.

Writer's Block is a collaboration between winery owner Jed Steel and his son Quincy. Quincy worked a few years in Australia and Argentina learning the trade of a winemaker before return home. They combined New world and Old world techniques to produce the wine.

They also produced Roussanne, Marsanne, Counoise, under the Writer's Block label.

Classic Hamburger Soup

As the rains of Autumn begins, it is a good time to enjoy a hearty Hamburger Soup. The soup is easily made by just mixing the ingredients in a crockpot. You have the hamburger, beef broth and whatever your heart desires may be added.

I know two people that make amazing hamburger soup. Our dear friend June and my wife Barbara.
Recently we had the pleasure of having six of our closest friends over for lunch where we served Hamburger soup.

It has been suggested that a light crisp white wine should be served with hamburger soup. However, I am not one that worries too much on matching foods and wine. On this occasion, we served very nice Blueberry wine from Kings Court in Ontario prior to the meal. With the soup the Blackwood Lane Viognier was perfect. Those who chose a red started with the Cab Franc from Blackwood Land followed by their Alliance. All three wines seemed to compliment the soup.

Thankfully my wife made enough for us to have leftovers the next evening. This time we had a Pinot Grigio From Coastal Ridge in California.

Our next selection for a hearty meal will be French Onion Soup. I think the dry Baccus from Chaberton will do nicely. You could also go with a French Aligoté or perhaps St Hubertus Chasselas.

For Reds Try a classic Beaujolais or a Gamay.