Why you should be drinking Champagne this Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is coming up soon, and if your family is anything like ours, the whole evening is already being planned out, everyone is deciding what dishes they should bring, and what to drink. With so many different dishes being laid out, and realistically everyone eating whatever they want, what champagne will pair best with Thanksgiving dinner? Read below and check out a few of our suggestions.

 Champagne of course! It is the universal favorite, and a classic. Thanksgiving is a celebration and Champagne the end all be all when it comes to celebratory drinks. NASCAR drivers don’t pop bottles of Pinot Noir when they get first place, they pop Champagne. Yes that bubbly drink is the first choice of people who are enjoying life, which is why it pairs perfectly with a Thanksgiving Turkey, mashed potatoes, and any food baby you end up carrying by the end of the night. Plus just opening a bottle of Champagne has become an event of its own, fun for the full family, so long as you don’t hit anyone with the cork. If you need to know how to avoid shooting someone’s eye out this holiday season, here’s a guide to opening bottles of Champagne.

To be technical though all those bubbles really help with pairing Champagne with foods, they help keep the palate fresh and open to the food. Its light style makes going from a mouthful of stuffing to a sweet potato casserole, to cranberry sauce more enjoyable than it already is.  If you’re already looking at Champagnes just know that Champagnes may vary in sweetness and body, but as a general rule, a dry Brut is the safest bet. It’s typically highly acidic, tart, and refreshing, which means it’s the best palate cleanser you could possibly ask for.

Cielo

If you want to dress up your table, no bottle will look better than Sterling Vineyards.  Clad in silver and rose gold, theBlanc de Blancs and Sparkling Rosé from Sterling are ready to present at any seasonal soirée. Available individually for $28 at retailers nationwide, the chic twosome can also be purchased in a gift set, packaged in a sleek black linen box for $75. These bottles will dress up any table throughout the holidays

With the mad rush of menu and party planning, make things a little bit easier with advice from a Thanksgiving pro: Blake Leonard.  Blake Leonard is the daughter of Stew Leonard Jr., and the head of Wine Marketing for Stew’s Wines. While prepping: Blake suggests taking the edge off and finding yourself a little piece of heaven with Cielo Prosecco ($9.99). Cielo, which translates to heaven is Blake’s go-to drink this season. Drink on its own or pair with Aperol for a refreshing spritz.

Moët & Chandon Nectar Impérial Rosé

While looking for a drink to go with dessert we recommend Closing out the evening with Moët & Chandon Nectar Impérial Rosé (SRP $50), a demi-sec champagne to play off the sweetness of an assortment of pies

If you’re willing to splurge on a really nice aged bottle of Champagne you’ll really get to enjoy the more earthy and autumnal aspects of the drink, which is pretty fitting when you consider what Thanksgiving is all about. Only warning is that if you’re the one buying, and you want to have more than one glass you should knock the first one back quickly. Once you’ve opened a bottle of Champagne you never really need to worry about not finishing it.

Maschio Gummies

For those who want to try something different make your guests Prosecco Gummies, details below!

Ingredients

• 1 Cup Maschio Extra Dry Prosecco

• ½ Cup Sugar

• 3 Tablespoons or 6 packets gelatin

• 2-3 Wine Bottle (or gummy bear if you’d prefer) molds

• 1 cup cranberry juice for color and flavor

Instructions

1. Place the wine, sugar, cranberry and gelatin in a saucepan over medium low heat (if you want to keep the alcohol in, make sure to keep under 90 degrees). Whisk for 2-3 minutes or until sugar and gelatin have dissolved. (Stir in a little pink food coloring if making Rosé gummy bears)

2. Using a glass measuring cup with a spout, pour the mixture over the molds . Use an offset spatula to get rid of the excess and ensure all the molds are filled.

3. Refrigerate for at least 90 minutes.

4. When gelatin has set, bears will easily pop out from mold.

5. Store uneaten wine gummy bears in an airtight container in the refrigerator

By Connor Sherman

How To Celebrate Bastille Day Without Leaving Home

The fourteenth of July marks Bastille Day, the start of the French Revolution and the end of the monarchy. Although you may not want to go out for a French dinner, we've conducted the best way to celebrate in the comforts of your own loft. Check out this guide to celebrating like the French person you want to be, at least for a day.

The New Whispering Angel

Coming from the Whispering Angel family, Rock Angel is transparent pale in color and has delicate red berry aromas on the nose. On the palate, it has floral notes with a touch of spice; complemented by a long, dry finish. With greater intensity and more richness than Whispering Angel, Rock Angel is a food-driven wine that will pair well with a variety of hor d’oeuvres and entrees.

Originating from Château d'Esclans, a prestigious estate and winery in Provence, France producing some of the finest and top-selling rosé wines in the world. Château d’Esclans celebrates its 10th anniversary vintage of its flagship Whispering Angel under the leadership of Sacha Lichine, who has elevated these wines to the premium, prestigious level he envisioned for Provence rosé. 

Patte From Dean & Deluca

Exclusively at Dean & Delcua, Dufour Gourmet by Chef Aurélien Dufour is proud to present the finest handmade pâtés, sausages and specialty meats that will delight all food lovers’ taste buds. Each product is handcrafted with care by Chef Aurélien using traditional French techniques and the highest quality of meats. 

Our pick to try is the Duck & Fig Pâté. A modern combination of sweet and savory coarsely ground duck pâté perfectly balanced with dry Turkish figs and caramelized shallots in red wine.  Ingredients: pork meat, duck meat, shallots, Turkish dry figs, salt, ground pepper, nutmeg, sugar, brandy, cream, eggs.

Dean & Deluca, 560 Broadway, New York, NY, 10012

Cheese From Murrays

Who doesn;t love a cheese plate? While there are so many selections Murray's offers a complete French cheese selection for you to pick up, without being mistaken for another country like last year.

Murray's Cheese, 254 Bleeker St

Ladurée Macaroons

There's nothing quite as enticing as these crispy, yet chewy, French pastries. Hopefully you already waited in the infamous Ladurée line to pick up a box for your friends, otherwise you may want to postpone your holiday festivities. Atleast with the Summer heat François Payard offers a macaron ice cream sandwich to keep you cool, go ahead and grab one (or five).