
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: WEDNESDAY, November 9, 1994                   TAG: 9411090028
SECTION: EXTRA                    PAGE: 3   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

WINE ENHANCES SWEET, SPICY HOLIDAY FOODS

Roast turkey is the most commonly consumed main dish for Thanksgiving, but there may be other significant flavors to take into account. To best complement the celebration's myriad of sweet and spiced foods, a lighter-styled, dry or off-dry wine will probably be your best choice.

A sparkling wine or Champagne will make the festive meal even more of a celebration. For drier tastes, try an Extra Dry style (which is not as dry as Brut), or a Dry (Sec) or Half Dry (Demi Sec) for even more sweetness. Blanc de Noirs - a dry sparkling wine made from the Pinot Noir grape - has a pretty pink color, for another option.

The sweeter sparklers will offer fruitier flavors, which will complement the variety of sweet flavors of the foods. Sparklers are best served chilled, so take them out of the refrigerator and open them right before serving.

For a white wine, a spicy Gewurztraminer in a dry or off-dry style would probably be your best bet, holding its own with the herbs and spices in the meal, yet not overpowering the other flavors. Riesling lovers will enjoy the floral, fruity complements a dry or off-dry Riesling will add. Vidal Blanc, a popular Virginia varietal, is recommended as an appropriate match by many Virginia wineries. Serve these wines chilled, but not cold or the temperature will mute the fruitiness.

If you are determined to serve a red wine, try a light and fruity Pinot Noir (Red Burgundy) or a Beaujolais. The 1994 Beaujolais Nouveaus hit the retail shelves right before Thanksgiving, making for a nice conversation piece and a good way to celebrate the new releases. Chill these wines just slightly; take them out of the refrigerator about 30 minutes before serving.

If you are having a large gathering, try a few of these suggestions and see which one you and your friends and family prefer. Then raise your favorite, toast everyone present and take account of the many blessings of the year.

Cheers!

- BETH CRITTENDEN, ROANOKE VALLEY WINE SOCIETY

by CNB