Wine with Leslie: Burgundy or good Chardonnay is the classic white choice for turkey
Leslie Williams: Check out the special IeFood magazine online if you missed it on December 6, for my recommended festive wines or visit your local independent off-licence which can recommend a selection to get you through the next fortnight.
'All this for just one bloody day!' I overheard a stressed-out delivery driver declare this in a wine shop recently. I felt for him but I also think he was wrong.Â
It is just one day in the US and in many countries but in Ireland (for non-retail or emergency workers) it can be ten days of thinking about little except what to eat and drink next. At least it is for me, I love it!
Check out the special IeFood magazine online if you missed it on December 6, for my recommended festive wines or visit your local independent off-licence which can recommend a selection to get you through the next fortnight. Don’t forget to get Sherry, Madeira or Port for sipping in front of the TV as well as for pudding, cake and mince pies; these wines really are the essence of Christmas. Once again, the independent shops have the best selection (Bradleys, JJ O’Driscolls, World Wide Wines, Redmonds etc.).Â
Brands I love include Kopke, Taylors, Warre, Lustau, Hidalgo, Barbadillo, Gonzales Byass (esp. their VORS), Justinos, Barbeito.
Do also stock up on cocktail ingredients such as limes, lemons, mixers, bitters, mint, egg (whites are needed for sours, use chickpea water for vegans), liqueurs like Cointreau and a bag of ice. Another essential is Luxardo Maraschino cherries for Manhattans, Old Fashioneds, Cherry Caipirinhas and Singapore Slings.
(A classic Manhattan: In a tumbler stir the following over ice for 15 seconds: 50ml of Rye/Bourbon (or Irish whiskey), 25ml sweet red vermouth, two dashes of bitters.Â
Strain into a coupe glass (chilled if possible), add a Maraschino cherry plus a little of the syrup if wished.)
Surely we are all over our fear of Chardonnay because Burgundy or good Chardonnay is the classic white choice for turkey (Pinot Noir or red Burgundy is a fine red match).
Chablis has been a major victim of Burgundy price increases in recent years, as much to do with frost and difficult vintages as greed. This is a great price however, classic stony citrus aromas, lime and lemon on the palate with a smoky slate freshness. Other Chablis to look for include: La Chablisienne, Brocard (O’Briens), L. Latour, Moreau, Tremblay and Dunnes also have the Louis Jadot Chablis at €25.
- Dunnes Stores
Greywacke is from Kevin Judd, who made the first 25 vintages of Cloudy Bay (until LVMH took over). Nutty, creamy brioche and orange zest aromas mixed with soft pears; creamy lemon and ripe fruits on the palate are cut through by flinty citrus and grapefruit, elegant and lingering. Of course, his Sauvignon (esp. the ‘wild ferment’ is also excellent as is his Riesling and Pinot Noir.)
- JJ O’Driscolls; 1601; Bradleys; World Wide Wines; The Old Barracks; wineonline.ie.
Oddly, I’ve not featured this before, despite having tasted it often, both young and aged. From a family-run estate in southern Burgundy, this is exactly what you would expect from a top Mâcon producer, vanilla, melon and soft lemon notes with a tropical edge, a textured layered palate with toasty notes and a streak of stony freshness. A fine match for turkey.
- O’Briens
Disaronno Almond liqueur is said to be based on a recipe from Saronno in Lombardy from 1525, 500 years ago. It’s one of my most-used liqueurs every December; I splash it into coffee, into whiskey, into G&Ts to add nutty sweetness, and have made sours, fizzes and slings from it, or served it neat on ice. The Disaronno Velvet cream version is also worth trying. Happy Birthday Disaronno!
- Supermarkets; Independents; Widely available
