Wine pairings for your Thanksgiving meal

If a run to the local wine shop is on your “to do” list before Thanksgiving on Thursday these wine pairings may make the trip a little less stressful.

Sommelier Killian Buschetz of Chandler’s Cuisine & Wine Bistro suggests several wines depending on what your meal is.

Turkey- He suggests a Beaujolais (Gamay grape) from France for red. The easy to drink and fruit forward wine is good with the white meat and cranberry sauce. For white wine he suggests a Gruner Veltliner from Austria for its acidity and crisp flavor.

Ham- Whether you’re serving ham it on Thanksgiving or waiting until Christmas he recommends a Cabernet Franc for its robust tasting profile. Riesling from the Alsace region of France or Mosel region of Germany offers the acidity with a hint of sweetness for pairing with food.

Beef- The red meat desires a bold red wine from Bordeaux is his first choice. Specifically from Saint-Emilion known for its Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc blends. If need be a Napa Valley red can do the trick but watch out for high alcohol and big fruit wines.

Lobster- A Chardonnay with a hint of oak & butter is the way to go for this delicate seafood. A Pouilly- Fuisse from Burgundy makes for a nice wine pairing.

Salmon- A red Burgundy from Beaune known for its light body and fruit is always good. If you prefer a California or Oregon Pinot ask for a more earthy wine over a bold and jammie wine.

Pecan or Pumpkin pie- A sweet and nutty Pedro Ximinez sherry from Spain hits the spot for the end of the meal.

Wine pairings with a different perspective

Wine is very subjective therefore choices for wine pairing may differ from person to person. LDV Winery winemaker and co-owner Kurt Dunham offers his suggestions for dinner pairings.

He suggests American wines for this American holiday or even an Arizona wine. His go-to red wine is Grenache or an Oregon Pinot Noir. Chardonnay & sparkling wines from California or a Pinot Noir, Riesling or Gewurztraminer from Washington or Oregon are safe bets for your turkey. Check out his video he prepared for the occasion.

It’s as easy as pie with Tammie Coe Cakes for your Thanksgiving dessert

If you’re putting all your efforts into the turkey, stuffing and all the  fixin’s for Thanksgiving  that’s OK because Tammie Coe Cakes is taking care of dessert with an assortment of fresh-baked pies and desserts. So good you may want to serve dessert first and hope to save room for the turkey and everything else.

Pumpkin Butterscotch Bread Pudding. All photos courtesy of Tammie Coe Cakes

You’ll have to hurry if you want your desserts from Tammie Coe by Thanksgiving as you need to place your order& pre-pay by this Saturday, Nov. 18th for Wednesday the 22nd pick-up at her downtown Phoenix location on Roosevelt.

Tammie Coe Cakes Thanksgiving pies

If you’re a traditional pie eater there is the Pumpkin Pie topped with caramel whipped cream ($24) for you and delicious pies including Toffee Pecan Pie topped with chocolate ganache and toffee bits ($24), Sour Cream Apple Pie made with Granny Smith apples and topped with streusel ($24) and the unique Pumpkin Butterscotch Bread Pudding made with croissant layered with pumpkin custard and butterscotch bits($15).

Pumpkin Pie

Tammie’s Fall leaves collection of cookies ($26) are available as are extras such as caramel whipped cream ($5) and caramel sauce.

Pie Pop-up

For the last-minute procrastinators like me Tammie Coe will be setting up a pop-up shop at The Henry on Wed. Nov. 22nd from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. The Henry is at 4455 E. Camelback Rd.

To place your order go to Tammie Coe’s website

Her shop for pick up is at 610 E. Roosevelt #145 Phoenix 85004 (602)253-0829

Fall leaves cookies.

Hotel Valley Ho offers 2 options for Thanksgiving dinner

If you’re a last-minute planner, don’t feel like discussing current events around the dinner table with family & friends or you just don’t feel like cooking there’s still time to make a reservation at Hotel Valley Ho in Scottsdale for Thanksgiving dinner. Whether you prefer a variety of traditional holiday fare or unique dinner items there’s room at the table for you.

Pecan pie photo courtesy of Hotel Valley Ho
Pecan pie photo courtesy of Hotel Valley Ho

Thanksgiving dinner buffet in Sands

Serving from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. this classic Thanksgiving buffet will include all your favorites including a slow roasted turkey stuffed with chorizo cornbread stuffing, all the classic side dishes and homemade desserts. In addition diners can give thanks for chilled shrimp, crab claws, roasted brussels sprouts with bacon and a pomegranate reduction and more. The buffet is $59 per adult & $19 per child plus beverage, tax & tip.

A la carte menu in Zuzu

Zuzu will be serving its seasonal menu along with turkey and all the trimmings from 5 p.m. – 9 p.m.

Reservations are recommended for both dinners and can be made by calling 480-421-7997