WINE CLUB | CHEESE CLUB

After a year and a half that has somehow felt like a strange time warp, we’re welcoming Thanksgiving with open arms (and look of shock that it’s somehow already here). This time of year is always a refreshing moment to finally take a deep breath, sit back, and embrace all the goodness we have in our lives. Even when it all feels tough, and even if Zoom is still a guest at our dinner table for the second year in a row, we have so much to celebrate.

So, naturally, this month we’re pairing each wine with some of our favorite traditional Thanksgiving foods, but we certainly won’t blame you if you choose to crack open a bottle before the official day. And if helps take some of the pressure off, just remember — even if the turkey is dry, or the mashed potatoes are runny, or the pie crust is a nice shade of burnt, the wine will be delicious. See? So much to be thankful for.

Happiest Thanksgiving to you and your loved ones, whether you’re together or apart this year. We’re so grateful you’re part of our family.

The Halfseas Team

ALL CLUB MEMBERS GET TO ENJOY THESE 3 BOTTLES:

2020 il Mostro Vino Frizzante Ragana

Grapes: Pecorino, Chardonnay
Region: Abruzzo, Italy
Retail: $20

We’re starting things out with a slightly bubbly (“frizzante”) bottle of love from the Marchesani family. After Lucia and Sebastano got married in the 1960s, they started their organic farm in Abruzzo, just east of Rome and nestled on the Adriatic. Their son, Nicola, now runs the winery with minimal intervention, meaning he’s committed to letting nature do its thing, and then bottling that up for all of us to enjoy.

Drinking & pairing ideas: This will please even beer-loving wine skeptics. It would be a great first glass as guests start trickling in and politely grazing the cheese platter, or a happy participant with creamy mashed potatoes and gravy.

2019 Passionate Wines Via Revolucionaria Bonarda

Grape: Bonarda
Region: Mendoza, Argentina
Retail: $15

You might remember this producer from earlier this summer (we shared a bottle of his wine from the Criolla Grande grape). Matias Michelini is the one who loves soccer, wine, and breaking the rules. Think of him as a well-respected bad boy who’s also a nerdy perfectionist. He’s constantly experimenting with funky, unique grapes or finding new ways to make wine with traditional grapes. We thought it would be fun to bring Matias’ genius back, with another fun grape you might not have tried.

Drinking & pairing ideas: For all of its individuality, Bonarda is a stealthy crowd pleaser and would be a very good friend to your entire lineup, but especially roasted potatoes or yams with a sprinkle of cinnamon, or anything saucy that’s a little sweet and sour.

2018 Grosgrain Petit Grosgrain

Grapes: Mourvèdre, Syrah, Grenache
Region: Walla Walla, Washington
Retail: $25

This local wonder is the cozy wine you didn’t know you needed. It’s that feeling you get when you’re snuggled up on the couch for movie night and the first beats of that familiar production studio theme song start playing. Brought to you by a former attorney and fashion designer, Matt and Kelly Austin have dedicated the rest of their lives to showing off some PNW winemaking chops.

Drinking & pairing ideas: This will be divine with pumpkin pie, or really, we’d highly recommend pouring a glass post-meal to sit and savor on its own when you don’t want another bite of anything.

6-BOTTLE MEMBERS ALSO GET TO ENJOY THESE 3 BOTTLES:

2020 Antoniolo Bricco Lorella Rosato

Grape: Nebbiolo
Region: Piedmont, Italy
Retail: $18

Coming to you from the Alps is this refreshing rosé from Piedmont, where winemaking dates back to Roman times. While you’ve undoubtedly tasted the splendid Nebbiolo as a red wine in all its well-known beauty (the first recorded mention of Nebbiolo was in 1268), it’s something special to drink it pink. And, you should know that Nebbiolo rosé is nothing new — this is actually the way it was historically produced. So really, it’s the OG Nebbiolo.

Drinking & pairing ideas: Stuffing! Of any of your saltier sides — think roasted veggies (brussel sprouts, green beans, etc.) tossed with crispy gems of pancetta and something a little sweet like dates or figs.

2019 Boschis Francesco Bosco delle Cicale Langhe Freisa

Grape: Freisa
Region: Piedmont, Italy
Retail: $19
Pronunciation: “fray-suh”

The sweet Boschis family (Mario and Simona, and their two adult sons Paolo and Marco) runs this estate, where they also keep bees, grow hazelnuts, raise cattle, and keep us dreaming of selling all of our things and moving somewhere this idyllic. They’ve received international recognition for their insanely delicious wine, but you’d never know it for how humble they are. The Boschis’ also keep things local — Teresita Terreno is an artist in Langhe who designs their lovely labels.

Drinking & pairing ideas: Something cheesy or anything you douse with cranberry sauce, especially turkey (roasted, beer-canned, fried, smoked — whatever floats your boat).

Valdespino Inocente Fino Sherry (375 ml)

Grape: Palomino
Region: Jerez, Spain
Retail: $14

This is one of those bottles where we’re asking you to please trust us. Sherry can sometimes come with squinty eyebrows and hesitant preconceptions. But as always, we’re here to get you to try beautiful things you might not otherwise — like the absolutely underrated Fino Sherry (quick tip: Fino is always dry, meaning not sweet). Sherry is a fortified wine hailing from Spain made in the centuries-old Solera method, where a bunch of room-temp barrels are connected and when it’s time to bottle, the sherry is taken from the oldest barrels. New sherry is then added to the top of the barrel system to sit and infuse into the rest of the wine. It’s magical because every time you drink sherry, you’re drinking a little bit of history. It’s all very romantic, and very delicious.

Drinking & pairing ideas: So many fun options for sherry! You could try it in a cocktail like the Adonis (with ice, stir together 1½ oz Fino Sherry, 1½ oz sweet vermouth, and 2 dashes of orange bitters, then strain into a cute glass and garnish with a lemon twist), you could serve it chilled as an aperitif (a head shaking-ly good pairing for briney olives or salty or fried snacks), or just sip it as you prep throughout the day (it pairs well with chores, too!). No matter which direction you go, just promise to be open-minded. We can’t wait to hear what you think.

Looking for past lineups? We got you.

REMINDERS

• As always, our food suggestions are just starting points. Wine is nostalgic and we’re big fans of making what you like, drinking what you like, and not giving a damn if they “go” together.

• Email us at info@halfseaswine.com to buy more single bottles or a 12-bottle case with special pricing.

• Come see us at Halfseas, your charming little neighborhood wine shop tucked inside Brimmer & Heeltap. Open Wednesday through Sunday 12 - 9pm.

• Wine pairs best with friends. Tell your friends.