Pumpkin/Pecan Pie Debate Controversy Resolved. Just In Time for Thanksgiving.

You have drunk crap wines throughout Thanksgiving Dinner, don’t screw Dessert up!

Thanksgiving can be wonderful, trying, and weird – all at the same time. If you are celebrating at a relative’s house, heaven knows how those “family heirloom” dishes were prepared. Or how they were herbed/spiced. Or what ingredients went into them.

And then there are the wines. Will there be some magic between the foods (good luck) and the wines the family brings (“What’s on sale at Walmart?”)? Bring your own wine? What in the world do you think that 2005 Giacomo Conterno Monfortino Barolo Riserva is going to taste like with that dry turkey, over salted dressing and instant mashed potatoes?

But wait! There is Hope! Practically nobody can screw up pumpkin or pecan pie. There is some debate about which one is better at the end of the Thanksgiving meal. In the immortal words of Tony Starke “Why not both?”. I like each of them for different reasons. My point is, they both are great with Grappa.

“Which Grappa?” you might ask. I have some of suggestions.

Going to my Grappa Bunker, I’d select Bertagnolli 140 Anniversario Grappa Riserva. This is Grappa from an Alto Adige grape, Teroldega, aged 2, 3, and 5 years. Blended by an Oenologist. A very versatile Grappa, you can pour this with confidence with a number of foods. The O negative of Grappas if you like. You aren’t going to be able to find this in USA. So, it’s a Unicorn. What’s next? Grappa di Amarone expressions are available in USA.

I have tried several expressions of Amarone Grappa, and I like them all with pumpkin or pecan pie. Wine lovers will recall that Amarone wine has a special preparation. First, it is a blend of Corvina (and/or Corvinone), Rondinella and Molinara grapes. Second, the grapes are partially dried (“apassimento”). Then the grapes are slowly pressed, and finally undergo slow fermentation. Obviously, the vinacce that results from this wine is very special, and yields really great Grappa!

Some of the Grappa di Amarone expressions that I can recommend are: Marolo Grappa di Amarone; Poli Cleopatra Amarone Oro; and Bonollo Grappa di Amarone Barrique. The expression of the Amarone, with the subtle yet satisfying spices in both pies, is killer.

So there you have it: Family, Food, Wine, Grappa. You can’t control the first 3, but the last one? it’s all yours Grappa Lover! Salut!