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Name: Joe
Question: I'm looking for some suggestions on what types of wine to have with roast turkey on Thanksgiving.
Response: It is nearly impossible to serve the wrong wine with a traditional Thanksgiving dinner. There are so many different flavors and textures that almost any wine will pair well with something. For the white meat, try a buttery Chardonnay or Pinot Blanc. Dark meat matches Pinot Noir especially well, although a dry to off-dry Riesling or Gewürztraminer works with the oily nature of the turkey. If you barbecue your turkey (as I do), try a light, fruity Zinfandel or Gamay Beaujolais. Can't decide? Open a Rose or drier White Zinfandel. Blush wines match well with both white and dark meat. Better yet, experiment with several wines. Avoid excessively sweet wines such as German Piesporter, Liebfraumilch, or any Late Harvest styled wines. Save those for the dessert AFTER dessert!

Name: Michele
Question: I would love a recipe for smoked duck that would pair with Zinfandel.
Response: Here is a very easy recipe that yields a perfect accompaniment to Zinfandel.

Cherry Flavored Smoked Duck

3 ea Young ducks, quartered or halved
1 c Red wine (You guessed it- Zinfandel!)
1 tsp Ginger, fresh, grated
1 tsp Dry mustard
1/4 c Brown sugar

Trim off fat and smoke duck for 2 or 3 hours using cherry wood for fuel. Remove from smoker and marinate in the mixture above for at least overnight.
Barbeque until done, 45 - 60 minutes. Baste with marinade while broiling.

The cherry wood is a crucial element- it compliments the cherry flavors in the Zinfandel.

Name: Maggie
Question: WHAT IS THE SHELF LIFE OF WHITE WINE?
Response: Most white wines do not store well without proper temperature control. If you keep an unopened bottle refrigerated , it could last 3-5 years. On the shelf, without temperature control, 6 mos. to 2 years max. There are some exceptions, but as a rule, white wine should be used within about 6 months of its release.

Chardonnay has a longer life than a Riesling or Gewurztraminer, but only if the Chardonnay is "made for aging"- big, heavily oaked, lots of acidity, plenty of intense flavors.

Name: Ronald
Question: What is the difference between Red and White Zin? Why is the White Zin not red when it comes from Red Zin grapes?
Response: Red and White Zinfandel are both made from the same grape. Classic styled Zinfandel (Red Zinfandel) is crushed, then fermented in with the skins, seeds, and stems. Its deep color is derived from the extended contact with the skins. This form of Zinfandel is usually aged in oak or other wood barrels, and is known for its intense color and full body. It is usually fermented to yield a very dry wine.

White Zinfandel is made from the free run juice. The juice is fermented without the skin, then usually aged in stainless steel tanks. This creates a pinkish or "Blush" colored wined that is fruity, lighter, and generally slightly sweet or off dry.

NAME: Lisa
QUESTION: Is Creston Vineyards still in business?
Response: Sorry to say, but they are gone. Did you know they were owned by Alex Trebek, the TV game show host?

Name: JA
Question: When is the best time to visit Napa/Sonoma Wine Country?
Response: This is actually a tough question. Each season, and even each month has something unique to offer. My favorite time is early fall for the grape harvest/crush. Late spring usually brings many of the winery events there, so that is also an excellent time to visit. It is much easier to find rooms during the week, but if you must travel on the weekend, be sure to book well in advance.

Name: Jeff
Question: In a wine tasting seminar this past summer they referred to a wine tasting wheel that helped categorize a specific taste. Do you know where I could obtain one?
Response: Ann Noble, from the Viticulture and Enology department at UC Davis developed it. Her website is: http://wineserver.ucdavis.edu/Acnoble/waw.html

Name: Jenn
Question: I'm looking for a wine called "boujele." The spelling may be incorrect. This is a red wine.
Response: The wine you seek is called Beaujolais, a lighter styled red wine originally from the Burgundy region of France. One common variation, frequently called Nouveau Gamay, uses a process called "carbonic maceration," or whole-grape fermentation. These wines are fermented with the grapes uncrushed, yielding a very fruity and refreshing red wine perfect for picnics or an aperitif.
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