Wednesday November 25, 2020
.. today and any other date that ends in 2020.
This Week: We're keeping it simple - Happy Thanksgiving! We know this year looks and feels a lot different than the Thanksgiving's of the past for many. Your get togethers may be smaller - or solo. Even if the company hasn't changed, the mood this year might be.

You might be eating alone - or drinking alone (no judgment). Regardless, have the best Thanksgiving you can - there are always things to be thankful for. If anything, the one thing that hasn't changed.. this holiday is a great excuse to overindulge and eat whatever you want!

And.. a great excuse to open whatever you want. Small gatherings, bigger wines!

Mind that we'll be closed tomorrow (Thursday, you know.. for Thanksgiving)- but the doors will be back open for business as usual on Friday. In the meantime, stay safe, wear your mask and keep the gatherings small. Wash your hands, don't touch your face. The usual COVID stuff.

Cheers,
The Team at NL Wine & Spirits
... And, a Word On Thanksgiving Pairings

Repeating this column as a helpful (and calming) reminder not to overthink the pairings! All of our tables may look a little bit different, but .. if you're serving up the normal Turkey Day fare.. don't sweat. The foods, for the most part, are agreeable and easy to pair, without any flavors that might be generally overbearing for most types of wines.

  1. Don't overthink it. Ultimately, drink what you like. If you generally don't like Cab Sauv, no matter how good that steak is.. you probably still won't be thrilled with the pairing.
  2. But.. Keep an open mind. Sometimes a wine you think you don't or won't like takes on a life of its own when paired with the right food.
  3. When in doubt, Champagne + any sparkling wine. This is what we'd call a "one stop shop" pairing. With a variety of textures and flavors on the table, there isn't much that bubbles disagree with.
  4. Stay in the middle lane. Some wines are just more versatile - think anything that generally falls more "middle of the road" in terms of acid, alcohol, body and tannin. Beaujolais, Pinot Noir, Syrah.. for instance.
  5. Don't forget about desert! Katrina has some good pie pairing ideas below. Upgrade your desert game with some Sherry, Port, Vin Santo, Banyuls, Rivesaltes.. you get it! These might not be everyday sippers, but give them a spot on the table for special occasions and you'll surely wow guests and yourself!

And, of course, come to us with any questions or advice. We'd be happy to pair your menu.
ALSO VERY IMPORTANT...
Just some good dogs that visited us recently.
(We hear dog photos are a great way to spread cheer)
Cheers everyone!
-The Team at North Loop Wine & Spirits