Toast Texas Wines as the Centerpiece of Your Holiday Meal
Pour on the spirit of Texas this holiday season.
Austin, TX (PRWEB) November 14, 2007 -- The holidays are a time for traditions, and the holiday table is where our traditions come to life. This season, why not add a new tradition to your holiday repertoire? In true Texas fashion, serve Texas wine with your meal--whatever it is--and add the spirit of the Lone Star State to your celebration. After all, the Texas wine industry has caught the eye - and nose and taste buds - of connoisseurs around the world, and this holiday season is the perfect time to introduce yourself to Texas wines.
However, holiday feasts can present challenging wine pairings. Whether your Thanksgiving bird is slow-roasted or deep-fried, or your Christmas tamales are savory or sweet, experts say pairing holiday favorites with the perfect Texas wine is as easy as (pecan) pie.
"While the increasing quality is certainly attention-getting, I'm really attracted by the maverick spirit and lack of pretentiousness in Texas wines," said Texas sommelier Craig Collins. "You don't have to be a wine connoisseur to enjoy wine, especially in Texas, and the holidays are a great time to learn about the way different foods and wines complement each other."
Collins recommends serving two or three different wines with the same entrée in the same course. That way, a white wine lover can enjoy the same dish as a red wine lover. By offering more than one wine, a host can appeal to different tastes and encourage guests to try new wines. A Texas Viognier, Collins explained, is one of the strongest grape varietals growing in the state and makes a good choice for traditional menu items like turkey.
Aside from Viognier, many grape varietals are grown in Texas. In fact, Texas is the nation's fifth largest wine-producing state with eight appellations (two of which are among the nation's largest), more than 130 wineries and a wealth of acclaimed wine festivals.
You can offer a solid red or white table wine -- or both -- to accompany the main meal, but pair a unique Texas wine with a unique appetizer or dessert. For example, pair chocolate with a Texas Port and vanilla ice cream with a Texas Sherry or Muscat.
Still looking for that classic holiday pairing? Here are a few guidelines when selecting your Texas wines for the holiday table:
- As a rule, avoid very heavy wines that will overpower the food. However, very light wines often won't stand up to a big, rich holiday feast.
- Choose a Texas wine that complements the strongest flavor on the plate (think spicy dressing or cranberry sauce)
- Select a wine with a little residual sugar and lower tannins if you're serving several spicy or sweet dishes
- Check your guest list--sometimes it's easier to pair wine with people than with food
- Consider serving different wines with the appetizers, entrees and desserts
- Open two or three Texas wines at dinner to give your guests more options
For additional pairing information and a contact list of Texas wineries go to http://www.gotexanwine.org , or call the Texas Department of Agriculture at (866) 4TX-WINE.
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Holiday Texas Wine Pairings
The holidays offer a smorgasbord of opportunities for pairing with Texas wines -- be it classic whites, robust reds, or a sparkling wine or festive rosé. The following are popular Texas wines that pair well with traditional holiday fare.
Please see attached file.
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