While in town for an event at Hotel Palomar's Central 214, Kimpton master sommelier Emily Wines sat down with The Feast to share some holiday pairing tips. "The beauty of food and wine pairing is that there is no one perfect match," she said. "It really comes down to a matter of taste." Watch as she rattles off some of her favorite holiday picks. Considering her last name is Wines, you know they've got to be good.
Emily Wines' Holiday Favorites:
Gloria Ferrer Kimpton Cuvee: "Sparkling wine goes great with all kinds of foods—it's extremely versatile. It's a great way to start out an evening." (Exclusive to Kimpton restaurants)
2008 Honig Sauvignon Blanc Rutherford: "Crisp, fresh and citrusy." ($17)
2008 Dr. Konstantin Frank Riesling Dry: "Riesling is one of the great wines to match with food. It's extremely versatile. I also love Riesling because it's low in alcohol—I can usually have three or four glasses and still carry on a good conversation." ($15)
2007 J. Lohr Vineyards Chardonnay: "Big, rich and toasty—a little more full-body in style." ($18)
2006 Pride Mountain Vineyards Viognier: "Viognier is kind of like Chardonnay's sexy little cousin. It has some of the same richness that you would find in a Chardonnay—it's usually aged in wood—but it has flavors of peaches and gardenias." ($50)
2009 Argyle Winery Pinot Noir: "Wonderfully aromatic with a woodsy smell to it." ($22)
2008 Ridge Vineyards Zinfandel: "This wine is great because it has this really big, rich cherry flavor but it's balanced out by earthiness and tobacco." ($28)
[The Feast]
