Time to take holiday sip trip

If you’re looking for a local wine to serve with your holiday dinners or you just need a good excuse to check out the wineries in Spokane, consider this your invitation.

Friday, Saturday and Sunday the 10wineries in and around Spokane will open their doors from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. for the annual Holiday Wine Fest. Sip the wares of local winemakers and get a jump on holiday shopping.

Arbor Crest Wine Cellars has decked the Cliff House halls and it is open for tours. Sample the winery’s latest releases and chocolates. Barrister Winery will be offering samples of its two new releases, 2003 Red Mountain Merlot and 2001 Syrah and barrel samples of its 2003 Cabernet Franc, along with chocolate truffles and hors d’oeuvres.

At Latah Creek, winemaker Mike Conway will present the premier release of Natalie’s Nectar, a sweet dessert wine which is the first wine made by Conway and his daughter Natalie who has joined the family business. Food and wine parings for the holidays will be featured.

Lone Canary is offering its newly released 2003 Red and 2003 Rosso, with an assortment of appetizers. Grande Ronde Cellars is releasing its 2003 Chardonnay and 2002 Cellar Red. Robert Karl Cellars is releasing its 2002 Cabernet Sauvignon and serving Moroccan stew.

Caterina Winery will have minestrone and live music Friday and Saturday. Mountain Dome Winery will show guests just how bubbly is made. Townshend Cellars and Knipprath Cellars also will be pouring new and current releases. For a map of the wineries, go to www.spokanewineries.net/map. Or, just make your way to one any one of the wineries and they’ll have maps there.

Did I also mention discounted wines?

Gluten-free Thanksgiving

For anyone who must avoid wheat and gluten, Thanksgiving day menus laden with stuffing, gravy and pies can seem more like a minefield of no-no’s than a celebration. Even turkey can have gluten hidden in its basting ingredients.

That’s why the North Idaho Living Gluten Free support group got together earlier this month to serve up a Gluten-Free Thanksgiving. The group shared tips for making traditional dishes that are safe for those with celiac disease. Look inside today’s IN Food section a recipe and more information about the group.