The Winter Solstice

The Winter Solstice

This past week, we welcomed the winter solstice, which is the official start of winter and the shortest day, with the least number of sunlight hours, of the year. In the words of Edith Sitwell, “Winter is the time for comfort, for good food and warmth, for the touch of a friendly hand, and for a talk beside the fire:  It is the time for home.” The only thing missing from Miss Sitwell’s wintery quote is the wine to pair with said good food.

Winter months often call for more hearty and comforting dishes to be on the table. Wine pairings for those dishes tend to be heavier-weight wines, including reds. This coming Saturday, December 28th, 2019, City Vino will be featuring three red wines to pair along with your good food, to bring you warmth this winter.

The first featured wine will be the Clos LaChance Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2017. This wine scored 90 points from “Wine Enthusiast” magazine, and is comprised of 85 percent Cabernet Sauvignon, nine percent Merlot and six percent Petit Verdot. It was aged for 16 months in 30 percent new French oak, 60 percent neutral French oak and 10 percent neutral American oak. Dark garnet in color, it has aromas of blackberries, tobacco, and cedar, with dark chocolate, black cherries, and graphite on the palate. The wine has medium acidity, is medium-bodied, and has a medium-to-long finish. Pairings for this wine include grilled steak or burgers, or portabella mushrooms.

Our second wine is the Hammeken Cellars "Manos Libra" Red 2018. Manos Libre means “hands-free” denoting that this wine is made organically with little or no intervention. It is made from 100 percent Tempranillo, and was partially aged in French oak. The wine is a deep red color with a purple rim, with fresh, yet intense, aromas of strawberries, black cherries, and blueberries, balanced with dark chocolate and toasted oak. This is a full-bodied wine with layers of flavors that unfold on your palate.  This wine would make a fine pairing with a charcuterie plate, featuring some smoked meats or cheeses, or with roasted vegetables.

Our third featured wine will be the Krum Merlot 2014. This wine originated from the Thracian Valley in Bulgaria, and is made from 100 percent Merlot. It has an intense ruby color, along with aromas of violets, blueberries, and black plum. The wine is smooth and velvety, with flavors of blackberry, raspberry, licorice, and ripe currants, which are followed by hints of vanilla, dark chocolate, and light charred wood. Pairings for this wine include barbecue, beef stew, meatloaf, macaroni and cheese, grilled meats, or cheddar cheese.

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