The holidays are always a busy time of year, and one of the season’s culinary challenges is pairing wines with foods, especially during those big Thanksgiving meals when there is such a diversity of food and people. While there is no exact science to pairing wine and food, we offer you two great resources to make life easier for you.
Just as wine drinkers vary their selections depending on the season, so do beer drinkers. And there is almost nothing more exciting to beer drinkers than the wide array of winter seasonal brews. Don’t get me wrong; summer is a big beer-drinking season, but in general the focus is on playfulness and crispness. Winter seasonal beers fear nothing. Bigger is better, and here at Nugget Markets we feature a barrage of seasonal brews that will keep your palate engaged and free of the dull of winter frost. If you like more roasted malts, bigger hops, or even spiced ciders, we have the selection that will keep your winter season bright. Check out the breweries below for some of our favorite seasonal brews:
These wines are specially designed to pair with the final course, namely everyone's favorite — dessert.
As you plan your meals this season, our holiday edition of The Wine Press will help you pair wines with every course. Our onsite wine stewards will also always be happy to answer any questions you have, make sure you can find what you need, and handle special orders. We have something for every palate and budget, and remember that you save 10% when you purchase 6 or more 750ml bottles of wine and spirits (mix and match!). Cheers!
The most important component of our wine program is providing outstanding service to you — our guests!
In this issue of the Wine Press, we are once again putting a face and a name to those who run the departments at each of our stores. In a number of our locations, you may see a new face down the aisle. This is because some of our wine stewards have recently moved to different Nuggets, and be assured that your new steward is just as capable as the previous one; he or she would love to meet you!
Get to know the winners from the California State Fair's wine competition. Every year, we devote an entire issue of the Wine Press to the Gold Medal winners from the State Fair. Whatever your palate or your price range, there is something in here for you! Download a copy today or pick one up in stores now. – Hank Beal, Director of Adult Beverages
So besides "What's your favorite cheese?", the No. 1 question our cheese specialists get asked is, "What kind of cheese would you pair with this wine?". To be honest, pairings are subjective, and what tastes good to one person may not thrill another. But to help, our cheese specialists usually recomend one of two things: Complete opposites (like a sweet wine paired with a salty cheese), or things that are similar (like a light, tangy cheese with a bright, crisp wine).
There are a million great combinations that do not fall within these guidelines, but this is a good place to start. For a sure-fire warm weather favorite, try a fresh chevre (such as one from Laura Chenel or Cypress Grove) with a chilled glass of Sauvignon Blanc (or, if you're feeling adventurous, a dry rosé). Cheers!
Hank Beal, our director of adult beverages, shares highlights from the latest issue of our Wine Press publication, dedicated to our most popular varietal – Chardonnay. There are enough different expressions of Chardonnay from around the world that we're quite confident that there's something for anyone who enjoys this varietal. Hank also shares some great pairing suggestions for this refreshing wine. Cheers!
Every summer we base an issue of the Wine Press on winners from the California State Fair. This wine fair is a very substantial tasting, where nearly 3,000 California wines are judged. However, for this issue we decided to glean wineries from an even larger fair involving wines from all over America – the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition.
As major sponsors of the second-annual Sacramento Beer Week, we're celebrating Sacramento’s rich beer culture and a variety of tasty brews by offering special in-store tasting events on Saturday 2/26, Tuesday 3/1, Thursday 3/3, and Saturday 3/5. For more details check out our full event calendar