Corn Bread

White · Medium · Dry

The most-planted white grape and the most chameleon-like. Crisp and steely from Chablis; rich, oaky, and tropical from California. Read the label, then match the style to the dish.

Works with Corn Bread · Mahi Mahi Corn Bread · Roast Chicken With Raisin Corn Bread Stuffing +1 more Corn Bread · Mahi Mahi Corn Bread · Roast Chicken With Raisin Corn Bread Stuffing · Turkey With Corn Bread Stuffing And Chorizo Sausage

White · Full · Dry

California's flagship white — rounder, riper, and oakier than the Old World original, with tropical fruit, butter, and vanilla. Sonoma Coast and Sta. Rita Hills bottlings are leaner; Napa stays plush.

Works with Roasted Pork Tenderloin With Sage Corn Bread Crust · Roast Turkey With Corn Bread Stuffing And Giblet Gravy

Red · Medium · Dry

California's signature red — jammy, brambly, often 15% alcohol, with notes of blackberry, black pepper, and dried herb. Built for ribs and brisket.

Works with Roasted Pork Tenderloin With Sage Corn Bread Crust · Roast Turkey With Corn Bread Stuffing And Giblet Gravy

Red · Light · Dry

Burgundy's most temperamental grape, but the rewards are real — translucent ruby with a perfumed lift of red cherry, forest floor, and clove. Silken tannins and bright acid make it the most versatile red on the table; serve cool, around 58°F.

Works with Mahi Mahi Corn Bread · Turkey With Corn Bread Stuffing And Chorizo Sausage

White · Light · Dry

Citrus, cut grass, and a wire of acid. Marlborough makes it loudest; Sancerre makes it most refined. Either way, it cuts cleanly through goat cheese, herbs, and anything with shellfish.

Works with Corn Bread · Corn Soup W/french Bread

White · Medium · Dry

California and Pacific Northwest Gewürztraminer — lychee, rose petal, ginger, made riper and fuller than Alsace. The American spicy-food companion.

White · Light · Off-dry

Washington and Finger Lakes Rieslings split the difference between Mosel delicacy and Alsatian heft — bright stone fruit, modest sweetness, lively acid. A natural with Thai, Indian, and anything off the spice rack.

White · Light · Dry

California's take — riper than Sancerre, calmer than Marlborough, with grapefruit, melon, and a clean mineral finish. The everyday white that pairs with almost anything green or briny.

White · Medium · Dry

American Bordeaux-style blend — must use the traditional Bordeaux grape varieties. The flag for serious New World red blending; varies wildly in style.

Red · Full · Dry

The classical red blend — Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and friends — from southwest France. Black currant, cedar, tobacco; serious structure; rewards patience and decanting.

Red · Medium · Dry

Pinot Noir (red) or Chardonnay (white) from the world's most expensive dirt. Translucent, perfumed, ethereal at the top of the hierarchy; honest and pleasant lower down. Drink slowly, with reverence.

Red · Full · Dry

The benchmark for full-bodied red — structured, age-worthy, unapologetic. Black currant, graphite, and tobacco lead into firm tannins that demand protein on the plate. Decant young bottles; cellar the serious ones.