On Saturdays, November 6, 13 and 20, Chaddsford Winery (632 Baltimore Pike; 610-388-6221) will host special Turkey Tastings, one-hour wine and food pairing classes that focus on pairing different varietals with the traditional dishes of a Thanksgiving feast. For $20 per person, the Chaddsford wine educators will give guests an overview of the whites, reds and sweet dessert wines that best complement the holiday dishes. Two tastings will be held each Saturday at 2 p.m. and 4 p.m., and reservations are required; call (610) 388-6221.
For those who cannot attend the Turkey Tastings, Chaddsford winemaker and proprietor Eric Miller has compiled a few helpful “Turkey Tips” for pairing the right wines with the holiday meal.
Miller suggests delicate, crisp, high acid or slightly sweet white wines as classic pairings for Thanksgiving, such as Chaddsford’s:Proprietor’s Reserve White, with enough acidity to cut through turkey’s mellow flavor and stand up to fattier side dishes; Sunset Blush, for its balance of flexible, fresh fruit; or 2009 Riesling, with zingy acidity and slight sweetness. He also recommends guests experiment with his new Craft Cuvee Barrel Select Chardonnay or the Miller Estate Chardonnay from his Portfolio Collection for meals with big, rich flavors such as sausage, nuts, buttery brown sauces, creamy soups or caramel-y squash dishes.
For those who prefer red wine, Miller suggests light reds like Chaddsford’s: 2008 Pinot Noir, with delicate fruity flavors; 2009 Dry Rose of Syrah, with graceful berry flavor and mouth-watering acidity; or his 2007 Essence, a distinguished “Terroir Blend” combining all the red grapes from the winery’s Miller Estate Vineyard in northern Chester County. For a meal with spicy elements or other big, full flavors, Chaddford’s Due Rossi Italian blend of Sangiovese and Barbera is a great choice, though Miller warns guests that bigger, fuller-bodied wines such as Merlots or Cabernets can tend to overwhelm delicate dishes.
If sweet wines are called for, Miller recommends Chaddsford’s: Niagara, a delicious sweet and fruity white; Spiced Apple, especially for those who serve ham in lieu of turkey; and Dessert Riesling, which is also an ideal after-dinner wine.
“Don’t forget: if you have enough people attending your dinner, you can please everyone by serving more than one kind of wine,” says Miller. “The key is to let your taste guide you and have fun choosing an ideal complement to your meal, then enjoy it with your friends and family.”
Chaddsford Winery is Pennsylvania’s premiere winery and has led the way for a burgeoning premium wine region to emerge from the hills of the Brandywine Valley, both as a producer of world-class wines and as a leader. It is often considered a chief architect of the Pennsylvania wine industry. Throughout the year, proprietors Eric and Lee Miller host classes, seminars, tastings and festivals designed to give wine novices and aficionados alike an up-close and personal look at the winemaking process and to elevate their appreciation and enjoyment of wine.
In addition to the winery and its retail locations, Chaddsford wines are available at Wine & Spirit Shoppes throughout Pennsylvania and in select wine stores in Delaware and Maryland. For more information on current wine releases, or to participate in a Turkey Tasting, please call Chaddsford directly at (610) 388-6221 or visit their website at www.chaddsford.com. You can also follow the winery on Facebook and on Twitter (@ChaddsfordWine).
