Leftovers... Also what to drink on Thanksgiving Day....with all that yummy food!

Instagram @gameofseasons post 11/22/2016

Leftovers: Home-style Chow Mein thin noodles and Ha Gow. 
I sipped with this spicy wonder, @prestonfarm Preston GSM 2012 Dry Creek Valley 

Grenache-Syrah- Mourvedre Sonoma County blend. 

Organic chemistry from 3 lovely grapes that love to bathe in the California sun. 
This earthy wine hint the spot, and balanced well with aromas of black currant, over ripened dark cherries, and pomegranate, on the nose and on the palate. I'm definitely back in Cali, the oak is there. But it adds a little complexity that paired well w/ the Chinese mega-hot sauce and greasy yummy noodles. #leftovers #grapes #blend #california#wine #winenerd #winegeek #winelover #spicy#lifeofanimporter #beachlife #insf #womeninwine#busyday #chinesefood #hagow #foodie #chowmein#oak #caligirl #winepairing #winelifestyle

So Thanksgiving is approaching.
What do you bring if you are going over someone's house?!
BRING THE WINE!!!!!
Trust me if they need anything, or for you to bring something.....
They'll ask. Or make a request. Or potluck.
 However, I never want to overwhelm the cook, especially if he or she has planned their dinner, and wants it a certain way.

Be the person that brings the booze.
People forget stuff like that when cooking for family, and generally concentrate on the "bird", the "fixins", and how many people they're serving.

What goes well with TURKEY?

Well....it depends on how you look at it. Is this family, friends, winos, professionals, or people who barely drink? If you don't know, in my professional opinion, always go with a PINOT NOIR.

Or chicken if you couldn't get that turkey!

Enjoy spending time with Your family and friends....

Also a ZINFANDEL will pair very well with these festivities! 

These are just a few Thanksgivings experiences from past few years that I cooked with friends and paired wine with. This 2014 particular Thanksgiving, my friends father shot the turkey for us and we prepared it. I never had this experience before and when you are a serious foodie, worked in restaurants in the past.... 

This is something that I was excited for and freaked out at the same time. LOL

Being that this was in Burgundy, France everything tastes different....even down to the butter. 

I had to bring something different and new. I brought a Cali Zin. I liked the Mazzocco, Zinfandel. The oak is not terribly strong for the French. 

The Zin was was a hit, the bird was lovely,  and so was dinner.

Last year, 2015, again I was in Burgundy. Francois(hubby) had never had an American Thanksgiving. This had to be fixed. This time, I had trouble finding a turkey. So the best thing I could find was a Rooster. 

I also made a butternut squash lasagna with a creamy cinnamon, nutmeg, pumpkin spice flour, milk, and brown sugar sauce. He made an apricot pie. 

I paired a 2011 Gevrey Chambertin, Pinot Noir, 

and a 2012 California Rockpile Zinfandel to throw in some flare.

This was the lineup for my honey's 1st American Thanksgiving. 

Also another year working in France for me, on my holiday. 

I had to bring it again and was working with a Rooster, not turkey....

Before

After

And Butternut Squash Lasagna came out cheesy, savory, sweet and delicious.

My man was very happy, and so was I. Leftovers for days and even had friends over for lunch the day after. When in France you "baguette." Rooster sandwiches were tasty and made a perfect American holiday introduction for the French.

So if you're not sure, my suggestions would be:RED 

1. Pinot Noir: It goes with almost everything. Simple. I've even paired Pinot Noir with Salmon. And it is good.

2. Zinfandel: (Experienced drinkers will appreciate the heat and the balance of a Zin, that goes very well with this type of heavy food. For me it breaks the heaviness down, and adds a little character...to slow the eating and really enjoy the food. Also California Zinfandels are high in alcohol. Generally 14%-17%! That's California, it's all the sun!)

3. Beaujolais Village or Nouveau: (This wine, it's light and easy to drink and won't overpower the meal. It's also great for people who aren't experienced drinkers, but will enjoy the wine and this pairing.) 

White

1.Chardonnay is nice. So is a Chardonnay or Rose Champagne /Sparkling wine. 

This year I am spending with friends, and we are going to a restaurant. We all work and none of us wanted to cook this year. LOL 

I'm personally bringing one of my favorite "go to" wines and very reasonable in cost($11.00) *Pine Ridge Chenin Blanc/ Viognier blend in 2014 and 2015. 

SO....These are also the times I have to show off a tiny bit, because of my work...

I must bring it! So on that note, I will be bringing 2 of my imports for such an occasion. Plus my friends are professional winos and "will eat anything" and mixed with a little "stuck-up" foodie-food madness, I have to bring it. We work hard and play hard.... This year I am looking forward to our Adult Thanksgiving dinner 2016, and I'm back in the City. 

2. I going to bring the Laurenti Rose Champagne 2014 and the Luxor 24k Gold Chardonnay Brut Sparkling Wine!

Laurenti Rose Champagne
Visit www.gameofseasons.com for full descriptions

Luxor 24k GOLD Chardonnay Sparkling Wine.
These are good, 'tis the season, and exclusively 
Imported by Game Of Seasons.

Cheers from San Francisco!

  

Happy Thanksgiving!

Thanks for stopping by,

xoxo Game of Seasons

Lady Markman's visit in France! When work meets fun!

Game of Seasons visit to Rhône 2016 #lifeofanimporter