Neighborly Wine Potluck

Ah, a lovely evening of wine and tapas. Motivated by our love of non-in-your-face-oaky "varietally correct" wines, we themed our gathering according to producers who, as Brent passionately explained, "are not only preserving history but also inspiring us with their dedication to classical flavors and textures.... basically wine that tastes like what it's supposed to taste like." Everyone brought an appropriately expressive wine for blind tasting, and a creative dish to pair!

Finding "Varietally Correct" Wines

How can you impress all your wino friends with your impeccable taste if you don't have the opportunity to try new wines all the time? Your safest bet will be to stick with the old world. Find a regionally, village or vineyard specific French wine like Sauvignon Blanc or Cabernet Franc from the Loire Valley, Chardonnay from the Macôn-Villages or Chablis, a Côtes du Rhône (blend, but primarily Syrah), a Cru Beaujolais (2009s are especially awesome), or for a splurge pick up a red Burgundy (Pinot Noir). Italian Sangiovese has a very distinct nose to it that could only be Italian (that iron, rubbery, cooked, almost bret-spoiled earthy smell... yummy!). Look for a wine from the Chianti Classico region. New world classics such as New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc, Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon, or German Riesling may also earn you extra cool points in the "wow, (s)he knows his/her wine" category. 

Small Plates of the Evening

cheese + charcuterie

bacon wrapped scallops

empanadillas de carne with refreshing Greek dipping sauce

tortilla española

Gobble Day: a Beerless Holiday

Our small holiday party (left to right): the sommelier/synth master extraordinaire, the passionate artist, the professional mess, the artisan winemaker,  the exquisite cook, the writer, the boy-genius (not pictured), and the super heroine (yours truly whose snapping the photo)

In direct contrast to last year, we opted for an early meal turned all-day-feasting-loungeathon. We started with eat-as-you-make appetizers; crispy-fried brussel sprout trimmings with lemon aoli, baked prosciutto chips, and plenty of cheese n' favorite charcuterie from Olympic Provisions. For sippings we went with something our friend Leah recently created & fixed for us at Tabla Mediterranean Bistro; she calls it the Don Juan. This almost salty sweet, bright bubbly peach stone cocktail is an ideal apéritif.

The Don Juan

2 parts Amontillado sherry

2 parts delicate cava

splash of bourbon

dash of peach bitters

gently stir mixture in desired glass (sherry glass or champagne work nicely)

Next, 'twas time to get down and dirty with the main course. We had all the classics---turkey, stuffing, cranberry sauce, heaps of smashed potatoes---to pair with our wine selections. Adelsheim's 2010 Auxerrois was light and crisp enough to fight off the indispensable heavy butterfat and seriously had me refreshed after every sip (or gulp...), but Patrimonio's 2010 Clos Alivu rosé paired best with basically everything on my plate. We showed some local urban winery love and brought Vincent's Pinot Noir, and, just 'cause we enjoy a little kitsch every now and again, drank black bubbles.

Whew! I'm stuffed bigger than this turkey, but the hour is nary 5. Time to put my homemade mini pumpkin pies (with graham cracker crusts & freshly whipped almond cream!) in the oven and take down another cocktail. Manhattans all around!

For our warm petite pies (I probably ate 3...) we delighted in a split of Arbor Brook's Sauternes-esque 2008 Sydney Semillon ($28). Oh sweet golden heaven.

After dark? A game of Dominoes, bed time for the smaller humans, and "just-leftovers:" a round of turkey sandwiches. To top off the now-late-night event, we sat down for muted football, home videos, impromptu piano performances, and finally indulged in another helping of pie before passing out for a long night of satisfying slumber.