<h2>A Thanksgiving Toast with Michael Seay</h2>The season of mirth, gratitude, and the culinary conundrum known as Thanksgiving is upon us! A time when the wine sages of the world grapple with the age-old debate of what pairs best with the turkey—A bottle of red? A bottle of white? Having swirled and sniffed through the world’s great wines for a decade as a sommelier, and now, as the Director of Wine &amp; Hospitality at Early Mountain, I find myself returning to my ancestral Virginia for wine each November. There’s something about the way it bridges the Old-World charm with New-World audacity. The terroir of Virginia, especially at Early Mountain, births wines that are as comfortable at a Brooklyn Natural Wine Bar as they are at a Washington, D.C. Steakhouse. This year, I’ve curated a quintet of wines that are ready to tackle the turkey, embrace the cranberry, and offer a gentle rebuttal to Aunt Marge’s Californian superiority complex. And while each bottle is poised to be the toast of the table, but I confess, there will be a clandestine can of cold beer reserved for my glass after our busiest hospitality season!&nbsp;<h3>Michael's 2023 Thanksgiving Selections:&nbsp;</h3><a href="https://store.earlymountain.com/product/EMV-Brut-Sparkling-NV?productListName=Current%20Releases&amp;position=2">Brut NV:</a> A sparkling ode to the Champagne method, cradled in the lush landscapes of Virginia. As you sheepishly trot into Nanna's with a burnt casserole, this Brut is your bubbly saving grace. It's a crisp, effervescent apology, a declaration that even amidst culinary mishaps, the spirit of celebration triumphs. With whispers of green apple, white peach, and hazelnut, it's a toast to love, to life’s little misfires, and to the joyous act of turning oops into cheers. Each sip is a fresh start, a fizzy pact that the festivity marches on, with or without that perfect side dish.&nbsp;<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dl1y77tpm/image/upload/v1698085208/5_U1_A6019_copy_0ae9578368.jpg" alt="5U1A6019 copy.jpg">&nbsp;<a href="https://store.earlymountain.com/product/2022-Five-Forks?pageID=0AE4BD76-CBFA-99DA-AE8D-4062AEF182AF&amp;sortBy=PriceDesc&amp;maxRows=24&amp;&amp;productListName=Current%20Releases&amp;position=14">2022 Five Forks:</a>&nbsp;A blend where the Sauvignon Blanc, though outnumbered by Petit Manseng, orchestrates a flavor escape amidst the annual familial debate on the upcoming presidential election. As opinions volley across the table with the fervor of campaign rallies, you take a sip and transcend the political fray. The effervescent herbs and crisp minerals provide a serene refuge, allowing you to meditate on the finer things in life. Amidst the clatter of cutlery and political ideologies, this wine is your silent, witty companion, reminding you that sometimes, the best perspective is savored from a glass, not debated across a table.&nbsp;<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dl1y77tpm/image/upload/v1698085582/5_U1_A6462_copy_d4f3e32196.jpg" alt="5U1A6462 copy.jpg">&nbsp;<a href="https://store.earlymountain.com/product/2022-Quaker-Run-Rose?productListName=Current%20Releases&amp;position=9">2022 Quaker Run Rosé: </a>Ah, a Rosé that harkens in style to the&nbsp;Cru Class vineyards of Cote de Provence. The epitome of vinous versatility, subtly embodying the spirit of Thanksgiving through its congenial embrace of the diverse flavors on display. As its lively notes dance gracefully across a palate of traditional fare, the Rosé narrates a tale where each dish finds a companion in its vibrant character, creating a harmonious dialogue between the old and new, the familiar and the exotic, all converging into a gastronomic tapestry rich with tradition, yet emboldened by the unexpected.<figure class="image"><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dl1y77tpm/image/upload/v1696598554/5_U1_A2854_copy_4ddebac49a.jpg" alt="5U1A2854 copy.jpg"></figure><a href="https://store.earlymountain.com/product/2021-Petit-Manseng?productListName=Current%20Releases&amp;position=6">2021 Petit Manseng: </a>Herald of both texture and drama, much like the familial banter at the dinner table. As aunts squabble over Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay, this winter white gallantly steps in, a truce in a bottle. It's a wine that courts the boldness of a red, yet flirts with the delicate allure of a white. Leading with a tropical serenade of grilled pineapple and caramelized apples, it gracefully transitions into a savory soiree of pastry and tarragon. The tale of its taste is an exquisite dance between the hearty and the subtle, making each sip a&nbsp;narrative of complexity, much like the family tales spun around the Thanksgiving table.<figure class="image"><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dl1y77tpm/image/upload/v1698087695/13_d7c9744729.jpg" alt="13.jpg"></figure><a href="https://store.earlymountain.com/product/2020-Eluvium?pageID=0AE4BD76-CBFA-99DA-AE8D-4062AEF182AF&amp;sortBy=PriceDesc&amp;maxRows=24&amp;&amp;productListName=Current%20Releases&amp;position=3">2020 Eluvium:&nbsp;</a> A charismatic interloper amidst the Thanksgiving spread, its aroma a medley of dark stone fruits and berries, with a dash of confectionery whimsy. It sidesteps through the herbs and spices, twirls around the cranberry's tart embrace, and offers a courteous nod to the turkey, its tannins a gentle whisper against the poultry's tender discourse. It's not here to steal the show, but to flirt with every flavor on the table, its lively palate an audacious companion to a meal where the old adage 'white wine with poultry' is gleefully tossed aside. Let the French keep their rules; today, under the golden hues of autumn, we're proud Americans reveling in our own tradition, breaking bread and breaking wine rules with equal gusto at this sacred holiday feast!&nbsp;<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dl1y77tpm/image/upload/v1698087338/Early_Mountain_Virginia_Table_Dishes_and_Eluvium_ccb676d09e.jpg" alt="Early Mountain Virginia Table Dishes and Eluvium.jpg">&nbsp;&nbsp;The wines showcased in this selection embody the heart and spirit of not just Early Mountain, but the rich, verdant vineyards of Virginia. As the conviviality of Thanksgiving envelops our homes, these wines are more than just a complement to the feast. They are a narrative, a vivacious participant in the conversations, laughter, and the cherished camaraderie around the table. Each bottle uncorks a unique tale, a distinct character that mingles with the flavors on our plates and the tales in our hearts. I invite you to pour, taste, and celebrate the beautiful symphony of this selection as it serenades the cherished chaos and heartwarming bonds of this beloved holiday.&nbsp;&nbsp;So as we toast to gratitude, family, and the simple joy of a well-paired wine, let’s also celebrate the beautiful tapestry of tradition and innovation that binds us all in spirited cheer.&nbsp;-Michael SeayDirector of Wine &amp; Hospitality &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;