Thanksgiving Wine Tastings. Thanksgiving is next week and to help you prepare for your feast, we will hold special wine tastings at the store this Friday and Saturday, to feature various wines that will be great additions to any dinner table. However if you don't have time to taste and just want suggestions, stop in or call to speak with any one of us; we are prepared to give you plenty of recommendations to accompany your Thanksgiving meal. You can also review our suggestions by clicking here .

Rhode Island Food Bank. With the holidays approaching, it is important that we remember to give back. Throughout November at the shop, we will be collecting nonperishable food items for the Rhode Island Community Food Bank. EG and Wickford are competing in this food drive to see which town can collect the most for the RICFB. So please feel free to drop off your nonperishables in the bin in the front of the store.

Beaujolais Nouveau each year famously reaches drinkers by hot air balloon, boat, private courier & helicopter. The progression of Beaujolais Nouveau has become just as famous, if not more, as the wine itself due to a 1985 government decision to release the new Beaujolais at the same time on the same day each year, creating a much loved international tradition. Some say by the time that day is over, nearly half of the total annual production will be distributed and drunk around the world.

Traditionally, wine ferments slowly in vats for several months and is cask aged throughout the following spring and summer. But with Beaujolais Nouveau, the process is much more rapid to achieve the early release date, within only two short months from harvest. The resulting wine, produced from the Gamay grape, is young, light and juicy, making it a lovely holiday selection!

The demand last year was great for the Drouhin Beaujolais Nouveau, and we anticipate the same response this year. In fact to prepare for this, we offered much of the wine on a preorder basis a couple of months ago. If you placed an order then for the Drouhin Beaujolais Nouveau you can enjoy this international tradition when it arrives on Thursday, November 20th. If you didn't preorder the wine, stop in anyway to secure what small amount we will have remaining. The orders are increasing, and wine is dwindling.

2006 3 Trees Pinot Noir, Australia. The color of this Aussie Pinot Noir is a bright crimson red. On the nose, its aromas are filled with bright red and dark fruits (such as blackberry, cherry and raspberry) that are accented by spice notes of cinnamon. The palate is rich and creamy with ripe berry fruit, more spice and subtle vanilla oak nuances from its short time in French oak barrels. Juice up your turkey with this surprisingly delicious Australian Pinot. ($15.99)

2008 Mionetto Novello, Italy. This blend of 50% Merlot and 50% Corvina is Italy's answer to Beaujolais Nouveau. A celebration of each year's harvest, Mionetto Novello is young and fresh with a strawberry aroma. The taste is reminiscent of black cherry with a hint of watermelon and a soft fruit finish. ($11.99)

2000 Montresor Amarone, Italy. What a fantastic older Amarone that we were thrilled to add to our inventory list, and at a great price. This rich, exceptional red is produced in limited quantities of only about 1,000 cases each year. After aging in small, Slavonian oak casks for up to six years, the resulting wine is a deep, ruby red in color with aromas of peach blossoms, violets, raspberry and mint. In the mouth it is smooth and full-bodied with clear notes of dried raisins, plums and currants. ($33.99)

2007 Chateau Fondarzac Entre-deux-Mers Blanc, France. This is one of our new favorite white Bordeauxs. Unlike most, this wine is a blend of mostly Semillion with parts of Sauvignon Blanc and Muscadelle. The wine opens with notes of honey suckle accompanied by hints of peach and citrus aromas. On the palate, it is well balanced with great acidity and flavors that are reminiscent of the nose. ($16.49)

Friday, November 21st (5 to 8 PM)
Wines of Thanksgiving.

• 2008 Mionetto Novello, Italy. Please see tasting notes above in this week's Savory Selections ($11.99)

• 2003 Darting Riesling Kabinett, Germany. Displaying inviting aromas of peach and apricot, this Riesling Kabinett has softened over time giving it and off-dry feel with crisp acidity and minerality. This wine is just the thing to kick your turkey up a notch. ($13.99)

• 2006 Schug Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir, California. This Pinot Noir is complex with a rich bouquet full of cherries, berries and hint of spicy new oak. Flavors of bright cherry, currant and strawberry are followed by a spicy, smooth texture and an elegant finish. ($23.49)

Saturday, November 22nd (3 to 7 PM)
Wines of Thanksgiving...Continued.

• 2007 Cesari Duetorri Pinot Noir, Italy. This wine shows the bright delightful side of Pinot with a spicy bouquet of black cherry and strawberry. The wine floats across the palate with a display of soft fruit flavors followed by soft tannins. Its velvety smooth texture is irresistible. ($9.99)

• 2005 Talisman Adastra Vineyard Pinot Noir, California. Seductive notes of mineral, concentrated pure strawberry and a subtle hint of violets comprise the aroma and provide a hint of the flavors to follow. The mouth opens with a silky texture and explodes into very sweet, perfectly ripe fruit and earthy minerality that add great complexity. Overall, this wine is very elegant and exquisitely balanced. This is a beautiful wine to pair with more hearty, savory dishes. A certified organic vineyard too! ($43.99)

• 2007 Chateau Fondarzac Entre-deux-Mers Blanc, France Please see tasting notes above in this week's Savory Selections ($16.49)

All wines during our weekend tastings are paired with fresh cheeses from Whole Foods Market in Cranston. To obtain information on the cheeses that have been selected, please stop in for a tasting or visit Whole Foods.

email: jessica@thesavorygrape.com

phone: 401.886.9463

web: http://www.thesavorygrape.com