Cheers to Hanukkah! ICYMI, Hanukkah celebrates the miracle that took place while the Maccabees reclaimed the Second Temple in a fight against oppression. Legend says the Maccabees had only enough oil to light a Menorah (as a symbol of rededication of the temple) for 1 night, but miraculously, the flame held for 8. That’s why today, we celebrate Hanukkah over 8 nights, lighting a new candle for each night and indulging in delicious fried foods like potato pancakes (latkes) and jelly-filled doughnuts (sufganiyot).
When considering a wine pairing, we opted to keep with the theme of longevity. As a general rule of the thumb, light-bodied wines (Pinot Gris, Verdejo, Pinot Noir) last 1-3 days once opened, while full-bodied wines (Cabernet, Zinfandel, Syrah) can last 4-5 days once opened – in both cases, proper storage makes a world of difference! We’d have a hard time finding a wine that lasted 8 days (unless we’re talking fortified wines, but that’s for another day), but the Crossfork Creek Cabernet Sauvignon is big and bold enough to keep a few days. This Washington Cab is delightfully balanced with strong dark fruit, earthy and herbal notes, and high tannins – adding additional staying power once opened.
*Quick tips on storing wine: store the opened bottle upright in the fridge, fully corked, or vacuum-sealed if possible for best results.
For those celebrating, open a bottle of Cab tonight while you light your candles. For everyone else…we still recommend opening a Cab (…and maybe light a candle or two). Cheers!
Witty Pairs 