Vintage candelabras to light twists of Oud smoke. An accidental ceremony to toast the beginning of the Holiday season. I love the magic of how unplanned moments arise, as if from smoke.

Twists of smoke.

An impromptu night is the best sort isn’t it? Especially when your host alights antique candelabras and intoxicating Oud brought home from Qatar. After a fairly typical tour of some French reds– a lovely light Gamay (from Glou Glou) and Cab Sauvignon–we opened a super interesting Kanonkop Cab Sauv. I’m embarrassed to say, I have never had a wine from South Africa. It had a markedly different profile than most cabs I usually drink. This particular wine had a very leather nose– heavier on the nose than palate, actually drank rather light. In any event, looking forward to exploring more from the region.

While the aforementioned was an apparition of a night earlier in the week, Thanksgiving was a little more premeditated. Split into the following menu:

Food prep wine: Willm Cremant

Toasting wine: Pol Roger Champagne

Dinner wine: Allegrini Valpolicella (I was between this and the Louis Jadot Chambolle-Musigny Les Drazeys, which remains to be enjoyed)

Less a review, more a menu. And an encouragement to keep a candle lit. A little Oud doesn’t hurt either.

Enjoy x