Hey all! Remember at the end of my Valentine’s Day Dinner idea post when I said I would pass along some wine recommendations to pair with the Turkey Pesto Meatballs? Well, since tomorrow is already Valentine’s Day, it’s about time I actually post them! Gillian from Txoko Dining in Winnipeg was game to pick out some lovely wines for you all to try out, so here goes.
WHITE
If white wine is your thing this Valentine’s Day, Gillian recommends the Laurus Viognier from France. “Peach, pears and honey aromas. The flavours are complex and elegant with flavours of apricot, a hint go toasty hazelnuts on the finish.”
Now, I’m not a huge white fan since I have found many (and I mean many) a bottle of red that I like. But the way Gillian is describing this bottle, has got me interested.
This wine is “perfect for herbaceous and savoury dishes”, which this one definitely is. Furthermore, it has “zesty, zingy acidity” and is “slightly buttery and medium bodied.” I mean, come ON! The next time I fire up these meatballs, I’m definitely heading to the liquor store for a bottle. Speaking of liquor store, in Manitoba, a bottle of Laurus Viognier will run you less than $20, I would say that’s a pretty cheap date!
RED
Okay, now on to my personal favourite, and the colour of my hair.
As a red wine for these meatballs, Gillian suggests Mission Estate Winery Syrah from New Zealand (did you say New Zealand with a Kiwi accent, cause I sure did). “Jammy with clover and black pepper spices, (this) pairs so well with turkey because of the fruit and light-medium bodied aspect.” Not going to lie, this sounds like a wine I would drink just because I want to drink wine. Anyone with me? This wine is a little pricier than the Laurus, but still under $20 here in Manitoba.
Finally, with this wine, “the palate is soft with silky tannins and a long dry finish.” Now, I don’t know what you all know about tannins, but I read a wine book once (okay, PART of a wine book) and learned that .. in layman’s terms, it’s the bitter taste in your mouth after you have some wines. (Is this correct, Gillian? Hope so cause I’m publishing this..). It is also probably going to cause you a headache and a reason to lay in bed all day. What? Just me.. okay, never mind then.
So, my friends, that concludes your Wine education from The Fancy Napkins (and by the tone of this writing, Ginger on the Loose) and Gillian of Txoko Dining. I hope that you’ll take these two suggestions into consideration tomorrow when you’re frantically looking for a wine at the last minute because like me, you procrastinated. I realize it doesn’t help that I am just posting this now, also. Click the links and you can see the bottles. Happy galentines, valentines or just plain old Thursday!
BY THE WAY..
For those of you who are rolling your eyes because this is a Valentine’s Day post and it’s just a stupid commercial holiday blah blah blah… a) I don’t have any plans with my husband because we are lazy and b) if you don’t like it, that’s fine. There are some people who enjoy it, let them enjoy it 🙂
