I sure hope y'all have flipped through the November issue -- it's just stunning. I'm really proud of the story "Break Bread Together." Senior Food Writer Donna Florio perfectly captured the true spirit of Thanksgiving as a group of New Orleans friends gathered to give heartfelt thanks.
One of the guests, John Currence, is the chef/owner of City Grocery in Oxford, Mississippi. John, a Louisiana native, spent every weekend for the better part of two years helping rebuild the city along with other buddies in the food community. John's a good man and a gifted cook. We were thrilled to feature several of his recipes in the story.
Unfortunately, we just didn't have enough room in the layout to give additional wine pairing suggestions (which you gotta have for any proper Thanksgiving meal). The sideboard is typically filled with all sorts of flavors -- from roasted pork to sweet-tart cranberry sauce to creamy collards -- so you need a wine that plays well with everything. These wines are usually referred to as "crossover" wines. Here are a few of my top picks (all should be under $12) for the celebratory menu featured in "Break Bread Together":
RED:
- Columbia Crest, Grand Estates Merlot, Washington
- Kendall-Jackson, Syrah, California
- E. Guigal, Côtes du Rhône, France (a blend of Syrah, Grenache, and Mourvèdre)
- Rancho Zabaco, Dancing Bull Zinfandel, California
- d'Arenberg, The Stump Jump Red, Australia (a blend of Grenache, Shiraz, and Mourvèdre)
- Heartland, Stickleback Red, Australia (a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz, and Grenache)
WHITE:
- Smoking Loon, Chardonnay, California
- Marqués de Cáceres, Rioja White, Spain
- McWilliam's, Hanwood Estate Chardonnay, Australia
- Parallele 45, Côtes du Rhône Blanc, France (a blend of Grenache Blanc, Viognier, and Marsanne)
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