Date: Fri 05-Apr-1996

Publication: Bee

Author: SHANNO

Illustration: C

Location: A-13

Quick Words:

Wine-Wisdom-Easter-holiday

Full Text:

(Wine Wisdom column: on wine choices for Easter, 4/5/96)

Wine Wisdom-

Which Wine With Easter Eggs?

By Steve Small

Choosing a wine for your holiday dinner always presents some interesting

challenges. First and foremost of course, is finding a wine that will go with

your main course. However, there are always those side issues: Is it worth

serving that treasure from the cellar to Uncle Fred, who will immediately

guzzle two glasses? Or how about serving that lovely Sauvignon Blanc to Aunt

Gladys, who will immediately start looking for some ice cubes?

I have found it better to save the special wines for friends and family who

will appreciate it. There are a number of very tasty wines available for your

holiday meal that should please you, your guests and your pocketbook.

Light red wines are amazingly versatile when you are serving a dinner with

lots of side dishes. They will not overpower the veggies and potatoes, and

they will go nicely with a ham, pork roast or roast turkey. They also go

nicely with pasta and tomato sauces.

Some of the grapes that make light, fairly dry reds include Pinot Noir,

Zinfandel, Syrah and Beaujolais. Some of the better names to look for include

Georges DuBoeuf, Napa Ridge, Guigal, Jaboulet, Cline and Rosemount. Most of

these producers sell well made wines for under $10 a bottle.

If you prefer a dry white wine, you would most likely need a full-bodied one.

Chardonnay would be my wine of choice to go with chicken, turkey or seafood.

Because of the popularity of Chardonnay, there are literally hundreds of

choices now available. Flavor choices range from fruity to dry, oaky, buttery,

lemony or slightly acidic.

Some of my favorites for under $10 include Lindemans, Fetzer Sundial, J. Lohr

and Parducci. For between $10 and $15, you won't go wrong with Beringer,

Kendall-Jackson or Cambria. If you are unsure of what to buy, a good wine shop

should have cards describing the wines and a knowledgeable employee to help

you make a choice.

Finally, if you are looking for a fuller-bodied red, Merlot is the wine of the

moment. Most Merlots in the $5 to $8 range tend to be light-bodied and a

little bit fruity. Some of the drier, fuller bodied and slightly more

expensive Merlots I have enjoyed include Christian Mouiex, Forest Glen,

Columbia Crest and Chateau Ste Michelle. Merlots go very nicely with roast

beef, by the way.

Obviously, when it comes to choosing a wine you cannot necessarily please

everyone. Your best bet is to choose a wine you think is good. Chances are,

many of the people at the table will happily compliment you on your good

taste.

(Steve Small is the proprietor of Steve's Liquor Store, in Ricky's Shopping

Center at 71 South Main Street/Route 25 in Newtown.)