We have much to be grateful for this year – Patrons, the release of the , and all of you listeners! This is our yearly TG episode. This time we take the traditional pairings and offer some alternatives. You can stick with what you know based on our recommendations or go out on a limb. Either way, we are truly grateful for you, for your tolerance of our Beastie Boys and Hobbit references and for your continued support! Thank you!

Clipart from Canva

Traditional Whites:

• Riesling
• Sauvignon Blanc
• Pinot Grigio
• Chardonnay
• Gewurztraminer

Alternative whites:

• Off-dry Riesling or Chenin Blanc
• Grüner Veltliner or Verdejo from Rueda Spain
• Fiano di Avellino, Falanghina, or Soave from Italy
• White Rhône blends with Roussanne, white Priorat (Spain), or pure Roussanne from a winery like Truchard in Napa or from Savoie (Chignin Bergeron)

Image: Unsplash

If you want…

Rosé:

• Go for something New World with more fruit character. The Provence styles are unpredictable so unless you have a producer you love, go New World

Sparkling:

• I prefer Champagne but Crémant (which we don’t mention but is a great option), Cava or American Sparkling will work, as will Cap Classique from South Africa. I’m less of a fan of Prosecco. I’m a big fan of drinking the bubbly with food rather than enjoying it just on its own.

Traditional Reds:

• Pinot Noir
• Zinfandel
• Syrah
• Beaujolais

Alternative Reds:

• Lighter Garnacha, Bobal, or Mencîa from Spain
• Austrian reds: St. Laurent, Zweigelt, Blaüfrankisch (as long as they are lighter and not too spicy)
• Lighter styles of Zinfandel like those from the Dry Creek Valley of Sonoma (we mention Nalle and Peterson as favorites) or Primitivo (still Zin!) from Puglia
• Pinot Noir but New World styles from Oregon, Santa Barbara, and New Zealand
• Cabernet Franc from Virginia, New York, and Loire
• Merlot, especially Merlot from the Right Bank of Bordeaux

Image: Unsplash

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