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Wine
and the
Perfect
Thanksgiving Feast
Including which wine
to serve with turkey,
depending upon how it is cooked.
NEW YORK, Oct. 28, 2003: For generations, Americans have
followed the tradition of preparing Thanksgiving dinner the
same way-roasting turkeys in ovens, garnishing with stuffing
and preparing a side of cranberry sauce. Chardonnay and
Cabernet Sauvignon are very often found on the table. Today,
however, celebrity chefs and top cookbook authors are leading
a trend in experimentation with different cooking methods and
unique marinades; and winemakers and sommeliers are
recommending deliciously nontraditional wine pairings, such as
Pinot Noir and Riesling.
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There are several great
alternatives to the usual roasting of the turkey and,
similarly, many different wine options to pair with a
nontraditional Thanksgiving feast. Some cooking
methods that add extra flavor and character to the
bird include grilling,
deep-frying, smoking and barbecuing. When
grilling, try placing the turkey on a rotisserie or
directly on the grate, which will produce a
magnificent smoky taste and a wonderfully crisp skin.
Also, the popularity of Cajun Deep
Fried Turkey is increasing-the result is crisp,
succulent and delicious.
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Which Wine Do
You Serve with Turkey?
Depends on how
it is cooked:
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A tasty marinade or sauce is almost as
important as the turkey itself, and gourmet food stores offer
many unique options, such as cranberry sauce with amaretto,
grilled pineapple salsa and nectarine chutney. So this year,
take a trip to the local grocery store or specialty food shop
to find special ingredients that your guests will talk about
for years to come.
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Wine Teacher Creates Wine Trivia
and Blind Tasting Game for Wine Lovers
CHICAGO, Nov. 11 2003: Tamara Leigh
Murphy, a former chef and now a private wine
instructor, created Winerd®,
The Wine Tasting Game That Crushes Grape Fears™
for players to effortlessly learn about wine while
laughing with their friends.
This new game "pairs" wine trivia questions with an
innovative spin on blind tasting. The Winerd game is
available at
winerdgame.com and at retailers
nationwide.
The first to make it around the board gets bragging
rights as the biggest "Wine Nerd"!
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A uniquely prepared Thanksgiving feast begs for the right wine
to complete the meal. When it comes to selecting wines, offer
both red and white wine options to accommodate all guests'
preferences. While Chardonnay and Cabernet are standard
favorites for good reason, remember that there are many other
great options. A general rule of thumb in pairing is to match
the weight of the food with the weight of the wine, and
medium-bodied wines, such as Riesling and Pinot Noir, taste
best with turkey.
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Today, winemakers, som-meliers and chefs are increasingly
looking at the way the flavors of the food and wine interact.
And the concentrated pear, apricot and lemon flavors in
Riesling taste delicious with turkey, as do the strawberry and
toasty oak flavors in Pinot Noir. These wines have received
high acclaim and, with approximate retail prices under $10,
they are a great value-and perfect for almost any Thanksgiving
budget. |
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After tailoring the food and wine menu for a unique
Thanksgiving, why not take it a step further and add
personalized touches to table decor as well? Try gathering an
assortment of large fall leaves, acorns and chestnuts and
craft a harvest-inspired centerpiece. To complement the table
arrangement, use the rest of the leaves as place cards,
writing each guest's name with a gold pen. Using
natural-colored table linens will help make your décor stand
out and will also create an elegant autumnal look.
This year, include creative Thanksgiving leftovers in your
festivities too! In addition to old stand-bys, including
turkey sandwiches, try incorporating leftovers into new
recipes, such as sweet potato and turkey croquettes or turkey
chili.
With imagination and personalized touches, Thanksgiving will
be a delicious success!
TOP Low Carb Dieters?
With just one carb per 4oz serving, you do not have to give up red wine to stay on your diet! The reason red wine is low in carbs? The yeast which creates the alcohol content eats the sugar during the fermenting process. The calories in a glass of red wine come from alcohol, not carbs.
Looking for Organic Turkey this Year?
Check out
The Eat
Well Guide. This free service
provides a locally-searchable online directory of producers,
grocery stores, restaurants, and mail-order outlets throughout
the country. Enter your zip code and find sustainable meat
products close to where they live.
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