Pairing wine with appetizers and the dinner menu is on everyone’s to do list for the holidays. How often do we think about pairing our favorite wines with dessert? Here are a few tips for perfectly tantalizing your guests taste buds after dinner has been served and the dishes cleared. Here is an easy reference guide to pair popular varietals with the top holiday pies of the season, making dessert more than just something sweet.
Pie: Apple
Try: Josh Cellars Sauvignon Blanc
Bright aromas of lime and citrus are the core of this Sauvignon Blanc, with layers of white flower nectar, peach, and tropical melon. The palate of the wine is fresh and alive with clean fruit flavors and a perfectly balanced finish. The sweetness of the apples enhances the citrus flavors in the light and refreshing Sauvignon Blanc.
Pie: Pecan
Try: Josh Cellars Chardonnay
As there are different preparations of pecan pie, Chardonnay pairs well as it is a medium bodied wine that is versatile enough to stand up to some of the richer flavors and sweetness in the pie. The Chardonnay features tropical fruits and citrus, beautifully married with harmonious notes of oak. A delightful harmony of bright yellow and white stone fruit lingers on the palate and finishes with fresh and clean acidity.
Pie: Pumpkin or Sweet Potato
Try: Josh Cellars Pinot Noir
Aromas of cherry and strawberry on the nose with layers of spicy oak are captured in Josh Cellars’ Pinot Noir. On the palate, the wine is plush and subtle yet has a firm texture. Dark cherry and chocolate flavors fill the mouth with a rich intensity and lingering finish. The earthiness and spice of the Pinot Noir compliments both pies’ cinnamon and spice.
Pie: Mince
Try: Josh Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon
This Cabernet is an approachable blend with aromas of rich, dark fruit and baking spices on the nose yielding to fresh plum, blackberry, violet, dried fig, vanilla bean and Chinese five-spice. The wine is juicy with plum and blackberry flavors, prominently layered with smoky and sappy maple oak, roasted almonds and hazelnuts. Its firm tannins and full body will stand up against the rich fruit flavors, spices and brown sugar featured in this decadent pie.
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