by Molly Sheehan

Hi all! Put on your crash helmets because the holiday season is coming at us full speed ahead. Before you get caught up in the holiday frenzy, I advise you take a moment, an hour, to be thankful for all that you have! It is so important. This season while you are searching for a parking space at the mall or standing in a mile long grocery line think of all you are thankful for instead of curse words and evil thoughts about the person who beat you to the last turkey.

As human beings, we seem to be creatures of  routine and comfort. Imagine for a moment that your own "creature comforts" are suddenly taken away from you. Hard to imagine? Let me help you. A month ago I was told I had to take an antibiotic which you cannot have a drop of alcohol or you will become violently ill.(What? No wine? Isn't there something else you can give me?) So day one, no problem- I stocked the fridge with fun different flavors of fizzy water and watched bad T.V. Day two, big trouble! My television stopped working!  "Oh no, seriously?!" I said to myself. I was pretty annoyed until I started realizing how petty and selfish of me to even be concerned about the television or the fact that I could not have wine for twelve days. People are homeless, children are starving...the list goes on. I sat down on day three and wrote a long list of all the people and things I am thankful for. The list is very long, but I would like to extend a special thanks to my family and friends, all of you who read this blog, Brent Herrmann, Sandra Spalding, Brenda Audino and Jonathan Cronin (they help make this blog possible every month! Last, but certainly not least, I thank my mom for teaching us to "play fair and be nice,". Happy Thanksgiving ya'll!! Now for some great wines to be grateful for...

*Kenwood Chardonnay (2007) $13.99- This is a "no nonsense" perfect example of a California Chardonnay. Green apple and honeydew melon on the nose. A nice round, buttery mouth-feel of crisp green apple, lemon and with a hint of vanilla. If you like the butter and not the oak this is the wine for you. A great wine to bring to a gathering because it is appealing to a broad audience.           

*Paul Cheneau Lady of Spain Brut Cava (NV) $13.99- Celebrate the holiday with bubbles! Aromas of apples, melon and apricot. Flavors of toasted almond, honey, green apple and a hint of dried herbs.Perfect to serve with appetizers and salads. A safe choice to open early afternoon as it is only 12% alcohol.

*Domaine de Valmoissine Pinot Noir (2007) $13.99- What a blessing to have in our stores! A perfect wine for any holiday fare! Bright, ripe fruit tannins are present, but not overbearing. Medium bodied, well-balanced with aromas of bing cherries, earth and anise. Flavors of fresh, ripe berries, earth and a hint of anise.

*Wolftrap (2008) $9.99- A delicious Rhone style blend from South Africa. The blend is 68% Shiraz, 30% Mouvedre, 2% Viognier. Bold, full bodied with aromas of dark fruit, black current and cocoa. Flavors of blackberry jam, black plum, black current and pepper. The 2% Viognier softens these big, bold flavors making it a very easy drinking wine. Very much like a Garnacha in my opinion.

*BONUS WINE: Innisfree Cabernet Sauvignon (2005) $24.99- This is hands down my personal favorite wine to share during the holidays. Aromas of black cherry, fresh ground coffee with a hint of vanilla. Full bodied, soft tannins, with a long lingering finish of black cherry, chocolate and vanilla. This is Joseph Phelps' second label. The grapes are handpicked from the Joseph Phelps Napa Valley Estate. To sum this up, you are drinking the same grapes that are in Phelps first label Cabernet which starts at $52.00!!