Northshore magazine showcases the best that the North Shore of Boston, MA has to offer.
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Wine ne 62 nshoremag.com November 2014 is limited for many of the bottles she carries, and vintages can vary, a customer favorite may disappear from the store. But rest assured, Ettore will have a replace- ment recommendation up her sleeve. At holiday time, Ettore says, customers are looking for a special bottle, but also want to please a crowd. "Thanksgiving is a feast for wine," she says. "The Thanksgiv- ing table is filled with so many colors and flavors and customs, it's very forgiving," wine-wise. And it's a great time to step away from the usual suspects. Here are her playful suggestions for wines to com- pliment the meal and please and intrigue the guests at your Thanksgiving table. Vermut, Negre - Casa Mariol ($26) Rather than starting off with wine, treat guests to a light, fresh aperitif with this vermouth from Catalonia, Spain. Spicy and aromatic, this refreshing drink, mixed with seltzer then garnished with an or- ange slice and an olive, is a hit every time. The graphic bottle has the recipe printed right on it, so guests can help themselves. Seven of Hearts, Pinot Gris, Oregon (2013, $19) Inspired by European winemaking tech- niques, this Pinot Gris is sourced from two different vineyards in Oregon that together bring harmony and complex- ity. The nose opens with crisp, unripe sweet apples, while the mouthfeel is lean, vibrant, and dry with a linger- ing finish. L'Exception, Domaine Cheysson, Beaujolais Blanc (2013, $21) From the serious side of Beaujolais, this Chardonnay is produced in Chiroubles, one of the 10 designated regions that produce the finest wines in Beaujolais and are considered crus. Irresistible aroma, rich mouthfeel, noticeable acidity, and bright tones best describe it. she has in her shop. Think fruity and fresh aromas of raspberries and red currants, but minerals pulling through on the sec- ond sip will grab your attention and make you realize this is a much more serious wine than you first thought. 3B Sparkling Rosé, Portugal (NV, $19) This wine, a blend of Baga and Bical pro- duced by Filipa Pato, one of the most no- table winemakers in Portugal, is an honest all-natural production, hand-harvested, no dosage, bottle-fermented. Rich yet refined texture, almost creamy, with an intense pink tone in the glass, vibrant and spicy mid-palate— it's a great way to fin- ish your meal, cleansing the palate while awakening the senses. wine-sense.net Eric Kent, Rosé, Sonoma Coast (2013, $21) Don't be fooled by the dark jewel-like color of this blend of Pinot Noir and Syrah—this is not a sweet rosé. Think of it as the ubiqui- tous pair of jeans that goes with everything, even engaging red wine drinkers. Lean and minerally, with striking tones of savory and blood orange, the acidity in this very small- production wine is well balanced with intense mouthwatering fruit. Insouciance, Le Clos des Jarres, Minervois (2012, $18) Ettore says this combination of Merlot and Caladoc, which is a cross between Grenache and Cot (also known as Mal- bec), is among the most intriguing blends Wine Pairings Left to right, L'Exception, Insouciance, Eric Kent, 3B For more Thanksgiving wine selections go to nshoremag.com/thanksgiving-wines Photograph by Ryan Jolley