Randazzo Fresh Market to host Shady Lane Cellars wine tasting November 20th
Clinton Township, MICH. (Oct. 5, 2021) – Choosing the perfect holiday wine can take some pre-planning. Just ask Vinnie Capizzi, wine buyer for Randazzo Fresh Market.
Capizzi is partnering with Suttons Bay, Michigan-based Shady Lane Cellars this month to offer an in-store wine sampling in time for Thanksgiving. Kim Simecek, regional manager of Shady Lane Cellars will be on hand to introduce visitors to three Shady Lane Cellars wines. They include Semi-Dry Riesling, Sparkling Riesling and Pinot Noir – all great options for the holiday table. Capizzi will pair them with samples of Randazzo’s Homemade Roasted Turkey.
“Everyone knows a California Cabernet Sauvignon or an Oregon Pinot Noir – which are so popular around the American Holiday Season,” said Capizzi. “These wines share the same quality in winemaking, but are grown in our Michigan backyard. It’s an experience that takes us close to home with the same amount of quality in the bottle.”
The tasting event is set for 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on November 20, 2021 at Randazzo Fresh Market’s Clinton Township location at 36800 Garfield Road. Each weekend both this location and Randazzo Fresh Market’s second spot at 49800 Hayes Road in Macomb offer wine tastings throughout the holiday season.
When you’re thinking about Thanksgiving dinner or another favorite holiday meal, Simecek said, chances are “you need something moderate to light in alcohol, with high acidity to balance all that richness.”
She also looks for a touch of sweetness to go with traditional sides like sweet potatoes or cranberry relish. Shady Lane Cellars’ Semi-Dry Riesling pairs well with richer meats and can complement a wide variety of foods. It has a brightness and acidity with flavors of pineapple, stone fruit and ginger which make it a perfect choice for the Thanksgiving table.
Looking for something that sparkles? Shady Lane Cellars’ Sparkling Riesling is a bit drier than the semi-dry but still gives a kiss of sweetness to any meal. The bubbles add to that feeling of celebration, according to Capizzi. Don’t hesitate to place a sparkling wine like this one on your holiday table. Consider bringing it as a hostess gift to a gathering any time from now through the New Year.
“For red wine lovers, choosing to pair this Pinot Noir with turkey is a no brainer,” said Capizzi. “The wine’s high acidity, as well as its extreme versatility on the table, make it a solid choice for pairing not only with that main dish, but also the handful of sides that will cover the rest of your plate. You’re looking for this kind acidity to cut through the full flavors of rich side dishes and gravy. If you don’t choose a wine with this kind of acidity, it’s just going to be in conflict with your food.”
Simecek describes Shady Lane Cellars Pinot Noir as a medium body, high acidity wine with light tannins. It embodies the flavors of Fall. Think dark cherry, cranberry, cola, black tea and orange peel.
When faced with such a vast selection of wine, Capizzi said, It’s key to look for wines that speak to you! And don’t be overwhelmed. Help is nearby.
“When choosing a wine, familiarize yourself with styles that you like,” he said. “And whether you are a newcomer or a veteran of enjoying wine, always ask for suggestions.
At Randazzo Fresh Market, we have onsite Wine Stewards at our locations seven days a week with knowledge and experience in wine tasting. They’re ready and willing to help you choose your next bottle to take home.”
The partnership between Shady Lane Cellars and Randazzo Fresh Market represents a common interest in supporting sustainability and offering products that are both healthy for the planet and for people. Shady Lane Cellars is a Sustainability-in-Practice certified business, a rare achievement in Michigan, and it fits well into the Randazzo mission.
“It’s our duty to provide a wide assortment of wines and styles from all over the world,” said Capizzi. “When we talk about Shady Lane Cellars, we are very proud to offer customers wines from our home state of Michigan. They are happy taking home a bottle they know was grown so close to home.
“Shady Lane has always offered Randazzo’s top quality wines that can absolutely compete with their California or European counterparts. It’s affordable, natural, and a crowd pleaser with wines for every season of the year.”
ABOUT SHADY LANE CELLARS
Located at 9580 E. Shady Lane in Suttons Bay, Mich., Shady Lane Cellars produces one of the largest percentages of estate-grown wine in its region. Offering hilltop views ofthe Leelanau Peninsula in northern Michigan, the winery and its staff create a comfortable approach to wine. The winery was founded in 1999. Since 2017 all Shady Lane Cellars wines are 100 percent estate-grown. And in 2020, Shady Lane Cellars’vineyard earned Sustainability in Practice – or SIP Certified – status. Winter hours are 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday. Visit www.shadylanecellars.com. Connect on Facebook or Instagram.
