If you’re looking for a wine to make a big impression at your family Thanksgiving dinner then look no further.  Going organic never tasted so good!

I recently had the great pleasure of attending a private lunch and wine tasting hosted by my friends Kate Morgan and Jane Kettlewell with Banfi Vintners.  The event was in honor of the release of the new Emiliana wine series “Natura” and was hosted by winemaker Antonio Bravo.

Finally, I was about to have my first experience with wines from Chile and better yet, I would have the opportunity to discuss the details with the actual winemaker. Also attending the event were fellow wine enthusiasts such as Walid Romaya, John Blanchette, Etty Lewensztain, Amy Atwood, and my ‘Goode’ friend Todd Havens.  The lunch took place at Tanino in Westwood, a restaurant known for its rustic atmosphere and Italian cuisine.

As we gathered around the table, Antonio (left) gave us a little background behind his work and the technical aspects that make the Natura series so special.  For starters, did you know that Emiliana is the most prestigious sustainable winery in Latin America? That means that all their wine is organically farmed / produced with grapes that are 100% free of chemical products. You should also know that his 2006 “G” wine became the first wine in South America to officially be declared biodynamic!  After tasting the “G” I’d have to say it’s a big red wine with soft tannins and a deep chocolate finish that will grow over time.  Antonio suggested that this wine rest for about 4-5 years to reach it’s full potential.  If you’re a chocoholic like myself, I highly recommend you get one of these now and save it for the future.

(Good Food & ‘Goode’ Friends)

Antonio walked us through each and every one of his wines as we paired them with various pasta samplers, lamb, chicken and mixed greens.  The experience was so spectacular I actually pinched myself to make sure I wasn’t dreaming.  From Antonio’s huge line up, there were two wines that really stood out for me:

The Natura Carmenere was smooth, creamy, with medium tannins on the back end.  It’s a fruit forward wine but I also tasted a pleasant hint of chocolate and oak. It’s a little spicy in the beginning but opens up after 10-15 minutes.  This wine is ideal for pasta meals but would also go well with vegetables or fish. For you technical wine loves, the oak combination here is 80% French and 20% American and the blend is 85% Carmenere, %15 Syrah.  If love Syrah then this is a wine you are sure to enjoy.

Both Todd and I are big fans of the Natura Chardonnay.  It had soft refreshing currants of tropical fruit with a little bit of oak on the finish.  This wine comes from the Casablanca Valley in Chile, know for its cold Mediterranean climate and a great source of the wild yeast Antonio likes for his fermentation.  I would serve this wine slightly chilled (15 minutes in the refridgerator) with cheese and crackers for your guest as they wait for the main course.  If your main course happens to be sea food, I recommend opening another bottle

Where can I find these amazing wines?

Both of these great wines can be found at your local Cost Plus World Market or Bevmo for only $10 – $12 each! I don’t know about you but this deal is pretty hard to pass up. If you need more help finding these wines please click here. I hope you all enjoy them and have a wonderful Thanksgiving.  Special thanks to Kate and Jane for including me in this wonderful event.  Cheers!