The holiday season is in full swing as stores close-up shop and we all get ready to spend some quality time with our friends and family.

While the smartest of us have our Christmas shopping all done and the presents placed under the tree with care, some may have forgotten about the holiday libations they may want to serve guests.

With that in mind we bring you some suggestions for the perfect adult pairing to that delicious turkey dinner.

An Okanagan sommelier and wine-purchaser for West KelownaB次元官网网址檚 Cask & Barrel Liquor Store, Shanyn Ward, is sharing a sneak peak into what she will be drinking this holiday.

Her position at Cask & Barrel allows her to explore a whole world of wine and bring in unique items you may not find in other stores.

B次元官网网址淲e try to structure our purchasing on items you cannot buy at the government liquor store, so we have more specialty-type products, small allocation into the province,B次元官网网址� says Ward.

For the white wine lovers this year, Ward has two special international selections she says are higher in acid and are the perfect fit for a holiday feast.

B次元官网网址淭he Villa Maria Cellar Selection Sauvignon Blanc (New Zealand) has concentrated citrus, gooseberry and grassy flavours, it is $20.89,B次元官网网址� explains Ward.

B次元官网网址淭he second one I recommend is the Leitz Dragonstone Riesling, from the Rheingau in Germany ($20.89). It is technically off-dry, but it has a little more acidity so it is fresh.

B次元官网网址淵ou want something fresh that will cleanse your pallet as youB次元官网网址檙e usually eating heavier foods at Christmas so you want something that will do that at the same time.B次元官网网址�

While Pinot Noir is a go-to pairing for turkey dinner, Ward suggests the Dominique Piron Brouilly Gamay Noir this year for red-wine drinkers.

B次元官网网址淭his is a Gamay from Beaujolais and a good alternative to Pinot Noir,B次元官网网址� says Ward.

B次元官网网址淚t is fruity, itB次元官网网址檚 spicy, itB次元官网网址檚 a classic match with turkey and itB次元官网网址檚 $28.80. We get enough Pinot in the valley, letB次元官网网址檚 do something different.B次元官网网址�

If you need something meatier in the glass, Ward is pouring the Okanagan Crush PadB次元官网网址檚 Narrative Red.

B次元官网网址淭his is a Cabernet Franc Merlot. It was introduced as one of their more entry-level wines, but this one is just $19.49 a bottle and it is full-bodied, there is lots of fruit, the tannins are really nicely integrated, itB次元官网网址檚 not too dry, itB次元官网网址檚 really something that would please a lot of people.B次元官网网址�

And for those of you who will always pass on the wine for a good beer, Ward has a craft beer classic to try.

She says the AleSmith Brewery in San Diego produces some sought-after quality beer that we donB次元官网网址檛 see much of in B.C. She is recommending you grab a bottle or two of their Nut Brown English-Style Ale for $6.99.

B次元官网网址淭his beer is fuller-bodied, but not too hoppy, it has good flavour.B次元官网网址�

And who can forget the bubbles?

Whether itB次元官网网址檚 toasting Christmas Day or ringing in the New Year, Ward suggests a new one you may not have tried. This traditional-method sparkling wine hails from Luxembourg.

Bernard Massard Brut Cuv茅e De LB次元官网网址櫭ヽusson is far more affordable than a Champagne at $26.89, but has many of the properties you would come to expect from one.

B次元官网网址淐hardonnay, Pinot Blanc and Riesling, aged for two years in the bottle. There is a little bit of creaminess to it, but it is quite fresh,B次元官网网址� said Ward. B次元官网网址淭his is just a really nice alternative to a brioche-bready Champagne and it is a little drier than Prosecco.

B次元官网网址淭his is a new product that just came into the province not too long ago.B次元官网网址�

To report a typo, email:
newstips@kelownacapnews.com.

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carmen.weld@bpdigital.ca
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