Regarding special/expensive wine at a holiday meal: In my wine columns I have often suggested not serving such wine at a holiday meal. Sure, it depends on circumstances, but in many cases there will be a throng of family members and friends with varying experiences and tastes. Amid turkey carving and present opening and over-sugared young people, the quality wine does not get a chance to be fully appreciated. If it is small clutch of wine aficionados, go big on the wine. If it is big mob of loved ones, go simpler and with a variety from blush, to bubbles, to beer. With some good $15-25 wines thrown in, too. And I, too, am a big fan of Oregon pinot noir.
I've long suggested that it's an occasion to focus on the company, not the wine. I learned all of this the hard way, long ago, when we took some special aged wines to a multi-generational, multi-family feast. That said, if it were, say, just my husband and I and two wine-loving guests, I'd make different choices.
I was served a 2021 Ken Wright Shea Vineyard Pinot Noir a couple of weeks ago, and was gobsmacked at how good it was. It was paired with a very good Volnay, and was easily the better wine of the pair.
Regarding special/expensive wine at a holiday meal: In my wine columns I have often suggested not serving such wine at a holiday meal. Sure, it depends on circumstances, but in many cases there will be a throng of family members and friends with varying experiences and tastes. Amid turkey carving and present opening and over-sugared young people, the quality wine does not get a chance to be fully appreciated. If it is small clutch of wine aficionados, go big on the wine. If it is big mob of loved ones, go simpler and with a variety from blush, to bubbles, to beer. With some good $15-25 wines thrown in, too. And I, too, am a big fan of Oregon pinot noir.
I've long suggested that it's an occasion to focus on the company, not the wine. I learned all of this the hard way, long ago, when we took some special aged wines to a multi-generational, multi-family feast. That said, if it were, say, just my husband and I and two wine-loving guests, I'd make different choices.
We are on the same page with this.
I was served a 2021 Ken Wright Shea Vineyard Pinot Noir a couple of weeks ago, and was gobsmacked at how good it was. It was paired with a very good Volnay, and was easily the better wine of the pair.
That's great to hear. I'd love to try their vineyard designates.