Treasured Thanksgiving Traditions

The last Thursday of November is a special day for many people; a day to relax, enjoy family and food, and appreciate blessings. With thankful hearts, we treasure our tradition and heritage as the years go by. Today, we are pausing to dwell upon the classic Thanksgiving Day traditions that bring joy to the friends and families of Rubino Estates Winery. 

Eating Delicious Food ~ At the top of the menu, you’ll usually find Turkey! Below, however, is a beautiful cornucopia of other foods that vary from house to house; from signature favorites to inventive new dishes, every Thanksgiving feat is a different way to celebrate. Some of our favorites include mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, cranberry sauce, stuffing (or dressing), and pumpkin pie. Some of our staff even enjoy thanksgiving with a twist, with different dishes every year. 

Expressing Thankfulness ~ For some in our staff, it is customary to express thankfulness for something specific before, during, or after the Thanksgiving meal, while gathered around the table. You can be thankful for anything, be it scrumptious food, a new job, a good movie, recovery from an illness, or the color cerulean. According to medical and scientific journals, there is a very strong relationship between happiness and expressing gratitude for things big and small. 

Breaking the Wishbone ~ Though Thanksgiving itself is a relatively young holiday, breaking the wishbone finds its roots in ancient tradition--as far back as 800 BCE. Superstition around chicken wishbones began in an early civilization in Italy and was adopted by Roman culture, which then influenced cultures throughout the empire. Writings from England in the 1400’s mention the breaking of a goose wishbone in predicting weather. Eventually, breaking “wishbones” morphed into the luck-predicting tradition we have today. 

Turning on the TV ~ While some might partake in the noble tradition of taking a nap before or after the feast, for some it’s time to tune in to the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, which is now in its 95th year of ushering in the official start of the holiday season. Others have a football game (or three) to watch, another Thanksgiving Day hallmark since the 1920s. If you haven’t checked already, the games this year are Bears at Lions, Raiders at Cowboys, and Bills at Saints.

Taking a Walk or a Trot ~ Not all of us agree on this one, but for some of us, Thanksgiving Day isn’t complete without a little motion. Whether you take a nice walk around the block to fight a food coma or enjoy a brisk jog or run to celebrate the holiday, it’s an invigorating way to enjoy some fresh air (and enjoy some time away from relatives, if you need to!).

Spreading the Love ~ We also think that Thanksgiving is a beautiful time to appreciate what we have, and let our thankfulness guide us in generosity. For anyone who wants to share the love of this time of year, we encourage you to give resources, be it food staples, financial support, or your time to local programs like Tri-Valley Haven, Open Heart Kitchen, Shepherd’s Gate, or Alameda County Community Food Bank. 

 

We’re thankful for you!
-All of us at Rubino Estates

 

November Release: A Dining Guide

Our November release has restocked our members’ cellars, so now it’s time to get cooking. These pairings are guaranteed to make your wines shine better than ever. Your taste buds will sing, we promise! 

2018 Landmark Chardonnay - Butter Maple Cornbread 

This warm American classic with a maple-essenced twist is a perfect companion for the smoothly creamy sips of our Landmark Collection Chardonnay. Don’t forget to dress your cornbread generously with whipped honey butter!
Recipe from Flavor the Moments

 

2018 Riserva Sangiovese - Bruschetta with Tuscan Peperonata 

This classic Tuscan dish of sweet bell peppers and ripe tomatoes will take your bruschetta game to the next level. Enjoy alongside our brand new 2018 Sangiovese, an Old World varietal that shines brightest alongside tomatoes.
Recipe from Food & Wine

 

2017 Landmark Sangiovese - Sausage and Lentil Soup 

If you need something to warm your heart this fall, try this hearty soup. We recommend a fennel sausage to bring out the best of our bold, cherry-red Landmark Collection Sangiovese for a pairing that will have you feeling ready for the holidays in no time. 
Recipe from Platings + Pairings

 

2016 Tuscano - Sun Dried Tomato and Spinach Ravioli

Our Club-Exclusive Tuscano is a luxurious red blend with deep, warm cherry pie-esque notes that provides the perfect partner for saucy Italian dishes. Enjoy the flavor-packed sun-dried tomatoes and savory sauce in this delectable dish.
Recipe from Supper with Michelle

 

2018 Landmark 1885 Founder’s Blend - Hearty Venison Stew 

The quintessential cold-weather food with a touch of the wild is a perfect companion for the gravitas of our Landmark Founder’s Blend. This wine brings together Barbera, Petit Verdot, Petite Sirah, and Cab to compliment the venison like nothing else can. 
Recipe from Be Wild Eats

 

2017 Riserva Chardonnay - Classic Apple Pie 

Our newest vintage of Riserva collection Chardonnay is an elegant symphony of light honey, citrus, and wildflowers. Sip on this liquid gold alongside a generous slice of Apple pie (a-la-mode, we recommend) and you’ll be ready for a second dessert soon!
Recipe from Delish

 

If you're not a member with us and want to join the club, click here to learn more!

The Blending Hero: Merlot

Here at Rubino Estates, we believe in crafting unique, approachable wines that marry the styles and flavors of the old and new world. The 6 wines shown above encompass a wide range of styles, profiles, and price, and yet they share one thing in common. A single, unsung varietal plays a supporting role in all six of these wines. The everyday hero of this story is Merlot. When you enjoy our current vintages of Salute Red, Night Owl Barbera, Ferrario, Tuscano, Amuleto, or our Landmark Barbera, you enjoy a tiny percentage of Merlot—a percentage that is there for a reason. Why does this varietal play a part in so many of our wines? This coming Sunday, November 7th, is International Merlot Day, so we're taking time to look at the way Merlot makes our wines better. 

Merlot is an early-ripener with a soft flesh, and is very commonly found alongside the classic late-ripening, fiercely tannic Cabernet Sauvignon. Merlot is the most widely planted Varietal in France, where it is oven blended with Malbec, Cabernet Franc, and other varietals to add both body and softness. In Italy, Merlot is used for softness in some Sangioveses and other traditional high-acid Italian varietals. 

In the US, the story of Merlot has been heavily influenced by pop culture. Merlot saw a wild rise in popularity after 60 Minutes reported on the French Paradox—the observation that heart disease is low in France, even though cheese and red wine make up a large proportion of the average diet. As a traditional French wine, this boosted Merlot’s public appeal. The film Sideways, released in 2004, featured a Pinot Noir snob who famously rejected Merlot in all of its forms. This film has been subsequently credited with an undeserved decline in the popularity of Merlot!

When Merlot came to California, it was often bottled alone as a single varietal wine. Though this is not uncommon now, Winemakers are more likely to reach back to the Merlot’s roots as a blending wine. Merlot adds delicious full-bodied softness as well as a toothsome fruitiness wherever it is featured. When used in slightly higher percentages, Merlot also adds a detectable delicate aroma and freshness.

At its core, Merlot is a refined and delicate supporting actor, working in the background so that other varietals can put on their best show. Single varietal wines and red blends are a collaboration of flavors, aromas, textures, and more. Don’t forget about the little hero Merlot!

Shop our blends and single varietals with Merlot support:

Salute Red · Night Owl Barbera · Ferrario · Tuscano · Amuleto · Landmark Barbera