Christmas Time and the Drinking is Easy

The Holidays are upon us and with it comes a variety of meals and celebrations with family and friends.  This includes the obilgatory Turkey with all the trimmings (or Ham or Salt Beef or Brisket depending on your preferred way to celebrate).  So, the eternal question is what wine goes well with Turkey or Ham.  The first reaction is Whites with high acid (i.e. Sauv Blanc or Dry Riesling) or light Reds (i.e. Pinot Noir), or even Sparkling wines. 

But, not so fast, these questions are not so easily answered with these wild generalizations.  The answer is, what really goes well with Turkey is whatever you like.  Now that said, there are reasons for the traditional wine pairings.  Light reds do go well with the lighter meats, where the flavour of the meat is not overwhelmed by the body of the wine.  But, what else are you eating with it?  Sometimes those side dishes demand a bolder wine (or not).

Tonight's tasting was Sterling Vineyards Vintners Collection Cabernet Sauvignon.  Widely available it was a great and bold flavoured California Cab.  Really quite full bodied and dark, it has a nice smooth finish.  We really felt like it punched above its weight at $14.99.  It was juicy and had just enough tannins to make it worthy of being an everyday wine.   

Also, in light of the Holiday discussion:

Thanks for this one, Mitchell!