WINE Eat, Drink & Be Merry

WINE

Eat, Drink & Be Merry!

BY ERTAN SENER

Say “Cheers” for a spectacular holiday gathering! There is a lot that goes into the planning to make that “Cheers” super successful. I’d like to help pick those perfect pairings for this holiday season. The holidays are warm, festive and filled with great food. Because of the season, holiday wines can be bigger, heartier wines that stand up to traditional flavors like turkey, currants, cranberries, prime rib and other holiday delights, whatever they may be. While it can seem daunting to select the perfect wine, there are some choices that go naturally well with holiday foods. These wines might include medium and full-bodied reds with lots of spice, festive, sparkling wines as well as richer whites. If it is your turn to host, whether at home or on ZOOM, I hope to give a few pointers so you can choose wines that will surely make you the “Host with the Most!”

With the wide range of foods and flavors at the holidays, the objective of this article is to provide some guidelines to food and wine pairing for the holidays with specific applications so that wine selection is less confusing and more enjoyable. Here are the key concepts to think about when pairing: 1) Versatility, 2) Consider texture, not just flavor, and 3) Whether you want to compliment or contrast with the flavor of the dish. There are many wines that will be able to pair with any certain dish; let’s just to remember to keep the options open. There is never one perfect choice, but there are choices that will work better than others. Let’s look at a few of the possible courses and see which concept works best.

Appetizers and hors d’oeuvres are always in abundance at all holiday gatherings. These fun little hand-tomouth bites are perfect to make the crowd happy quick. What wine, you ask? Well, versatility is the key. Bubbles, bubbles, bubbles! Champagne of course is the king of bubbles and would be most welcome at any party. There are other choices that will put a spark in your glass. Cava from Spain, Prosecco from Italy, any number of wines from France labeled Crémant, fine sparkling wines from a number of regions in France. Here is a list of a few of the Crémant wines areas and how it will be listed on the label. Crémant de Alsace, Crémant de Bordeaux, Crémant de Bourgogne, Crémant de Die, Crémant du Jura, Crémant de Limoux, Crémant de Loire and Crémant de Luxembourg. Bubbles are refreshing and cleanse the palate, getting it ready for that next new little bite of bursting flavor.

Cheese you ask? Yes please. If lactose doesn’t work for or with you please skip this paragraph, or take a Lactaid. Well this pairing is no laughing matter. Cheese, of all its beautiful varieties, can be very difficult to pair. My usual go-to is white, white, white (except for hard aged cheeses that call for a red). I like it when a wine contrasts with a cheese. For example, a rich creamy cheese like Camembert works very nicely with a wine that has a little crispness with some brighter acidity. I like the way it cuts through that beautiful fattiness. A wine with a little sugar like Riesling is great from some of those creamy, salty blues. Yum. To quote the great Mâitre Fromogier Max McCalman, “My first instinct is to get away from traditional notions about pairings. I like to promote pairings of lesser-known, less ‘serious’ or ponderous but nonetheless delightful wines with cheeses. Savennières, Pinot Blanc, and Albariño are good examples.” Fantastic word to live by. Let’s use this thought for the next course.

The main course is the main event at most holiday gatherings. Who will be the contenders for wine? Selecting the right wine for the main course is a simple as thinking, complement the dish. Think about the texture as much as the flavor. Match the textures and flavors and the two will dance nicely on the palate. A simple solution to pairing wine with the main course can be as easy as four questions to ask yourself. 1) Does the food overpower the wine? 2) Does the wine overpower the food? 3) When the wine and food are combined in mouth, what tertiary flavor does it create? And finally, is that flavor that is created pleasing? Done. As far as dessert, the simple solution is to choose a wine as sweet as the dessert. The sweetness of the dessert

Every Number Tells A Story

subtracts the sweetness of the wine.

One thing is for sure; the holidays are upon us. Whether you are hosting or have to bring a bottle of something to add to the spirits of the occasion, think pairing and all the possibilities. There are no hard and fast rules to the art of pairing. So, I hope we have touched upon some of the ideas I like to run through when finding that perfect pair! I hope this will only add to the enjoyment, no matter where you are planning to spend these special times, but I only hope one thing. You are with the people you love, friends that make you laugh and wine that will pair and enhance the experience. But always remember, the bottle of wine is only as good as the people you share it with. Happy holidays! And continue to be safe.

Ertan Seyyar Sener Senior Operation Manager Maximum Beverage 333 North Main Street West Hartford 06107 860.761.2541

Also located in Farmington and Tolland!

Ertan Sener is also an accomplished musician working as a Conductor/Music Educator at the Hartt School, University of Hartford, Music Director of the Simsbury Community Band and former conductor with the New Britain Symphony Orchestra.

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FINANCE

DOES YOUR PORTFOLIO FIT YOUR RETIREMENT LIFESTYLE?

BY WHITNEY F. BURR

Most portfolios are constructed based on an individual’s investment objective, risk tolerance, and time horizon.

Using these inputs and sophisticated portfolio-optimization calculations, most investors can feel confident that they own a well-diversified portfolio, appropriately positioned to pursue their long-term goals.¹

However, as a retiree, how you choose to live in retirement may be an additional factor to consider when building your portfolio.

STARTING A BUSINESS? Using retirement funds to start a business entails significant risk. If you choose this path, you may want to consider reducing the risk level of your investment portfolio to help compensate for the risk you’re assuming with a new business venture.

Since a new business is unlikely to generate income right away, you may want to construct your portfolio with an income orientation in order to provide you with current income until the business can begin turning a profit.

TRAVELING FOR EXTENDED PERIODS OF TIME? There are a number of good reasons to consider using a professional money manager for your retirement savings. Add a new one. If you plan on extended travel that may keep you disconnected from current events (even modern communication), investing in a portfolio of individual securities that requires constant attention may not be an ideal approach.² For this lifestyle, professional management may suit your retirement best.

RETHINK RETIREMENT INCOME? Market volatility can undermine your retirement-income strategy. While it may come at the expense of some opportunity cost, there are products and strategies that may protect you from drawing down on savings when your portfolio’s value is falling—a major cause of failed income approaches.

Contact Burr Capital Advisors at 860-678-6260 for a complimentary consultation to discuss your individual situation and estate planning and retirement needs. You can also visit our website at www.burrcapital.com.

Contact: Whitney F. Burr Burr Capital Advisors, LLC 10 North Main Street Suite #213 West Hartford, CT 06107 860-678-6260 www.burrcapital.com

1. Diversification and portfolio optimization calculations are approaches to help manage investment risk. They do not eliminate the risk of loss if security prices decline.

2. Keep in mind that the return and principal value of security prices will fluctuate as market conditions change. And securities, when sold, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Past performance does not guarantee future results. Individuals cannot invest directly in an index.

Investment Advisory Services and Securities offered through LPL Financial – A Registered Investment Advisor – Member FINRA/SIPC. The content is developed from sources believed to be providing accurate information. The information in this material is not intended as tax or legal advice. It may not be used for the purpose of avoiding any federal tax penalties. Please consult legal or tax professionals for specific information regarding your individual situation. This material was developed and produced by FMG Suite to provide information on a topic that may be of interest. FMG Suite is not affiliated with the named broker-dealer, state- or SEC-registered investment advisory firm. The opinions expressed and material provided are for general information and should not be considered a solicitation for the purchase or sale of any security. Copyright 2020 FMG Suite.

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