News from the front lines: Take a chance on a new wine

As a new sommelier, I extend my learning several days each week working in a local wine and spirits shop. It’s a great store, overflowing with choices for wines, spirits, and beer. The best part of working at retail comes when customers ask for open-ended help in selecting a wine. I enjoy working with them to understand what they like and translating that to what we have on offer at the right price point. When customers return to the shop with a point-of-view about what they tried, you know that you’ve created a strong wine partnership.

Preparing for the holidays, and holiday entertaining, can be a challenge. While we are in the thick of the holiday season, I have observed that there is a significant difference between how people shop for the Thanksgiving holiday versus the Christmas/Hanukkah holidays. It’s a given that every family has different foods and traditions that are a part of a holiday celebration, including the wine that is best with each; this is not surprising. What is surprising is that I have found that people are more open to experiencing something new when buying wine for their Thanksgiving meals compared with their Christmas or Hanukkah gatherings.

When shopping for Thanksgiving libations, people are open to suggestion and to learning about new wine regions around the world that may be great accompaniments for their meal: Sancerres, Zinfandels and Primitivos, Chenin Blancs, and Rhone Blends as compared with the standard Sauvignon Blancs, Pinot Noirs, and Pinot Grigios. Don’t get me wrong, all of these can be ideal choices for a meal, but I enjoy helping customers try something out of the ordinary. Often these new choices bring about new favorites.?

In contrast, when people shop for Christmas or Hanukkah, they are very prescriptive, not just about the style of wine, but the brand as well. If it’s not available in our state or the inventory is limited based on distribution constraints, customers will leave the store rather than learn about comparable, delicious alternatives. What surprises me the most is when customers learn that a brand is no longer produced, yet they still leave empty-handed, married to the brand and their historic choice.

My wish for my customers - and for you, dear reader - is to have a Thanksgiving spirit when purchasing wine this holiday season, and everyday! There are so many delicious styles that can be interchanged across many price points.?

To make your next shopping swap easier, here are a few changes you could make:

If you’re drinking Cabernet Sauvignon

Try Sangiovese (Brunello),Shiraz/Syrah, Zinfandel/Primitivo (same grape, different names), Malbec, Tempranillo. These wines are also medium to full bodied, a mix of red and black fruits, and high tannins.

If you’re drinking Pinot Noir

Try Valpolicella Classico, Gamay (Beaujolais - not Nouveau). These wines are also light to medium bodied, primarily red fruits, and light to medium tannins.

If you’re drinking Chardonnay

Try Chenin Blanc, Viognier, Roussanne, Aligoté. These are all more full body choices, both with and without oak.

If you’re drinking Sauvignon Blanc

Try Grüner Veltliner, Vermentino, dry Furmint, Albari?o, Chablis (cool climate Chardonnary), white Bordeaux (Sauvignon/Sémillon blend), Viognier. These wines will be equally aromatic and light bodied.?

If you’re drinking Pinot Grigio

Try Fiano, Vinho Verde, Cortese (Gavi). These wines are light, refreshing, fruit-forward alternatives.

If you’re drinking Champagne

Try sparkling French wine outside of Champagne (Loire or Vouvray), Cava (Spanish sparkling wine), South African sparkling, most Californian sparkling.These are delicious alternatives that are also produced in the traditional method and are primarily dry and refreshing.

Sommething Fun:?

If you can find it: Les Hauts de Lagarde, 2020 White Bordeaux. 60% organic Sauvignon Blanc grapes, 40% organic Sémillon grapes. Aromas and flavors of pear, lemon peel, grapefruit, honeysuckle, grass and wet stone. Dry and refreshing with a low to medium body and medium intensity. The blending of these two grapes means you can drink this wine now or allow it to age for next year.