In case you aren’t already aware, this is a big year for the Jewish holiday Hanukkah. A holiday that usually has to share the spotlight with Christmas, always playing second fiddle to the cultural behemoth that is America’s winter wonderland, this year Hanukkah is standing out. This is because this year, for the first time ever, and the only time for another 70,000 years, Hanukkah falls on Thanksgiving, and a ton of people are making a really big deal about it.
Thanksgivukkah, as it has come to be known, is a cause for celebration, and there is no better celebratory wine to drink than bubbly. But you shouldn’t just start popping bottles because Thanksgivukkah is such a crazy once in a lifetime occurrence, we’re also pushing bubbly because it goes really well with fried food, and people eat a lot of fried food during Hanukkah!
As the Hanukkah story goes, when the Maccabees defeated the Greeks, they rededicated The Temple by lighting the sacred menorah, but the oil they had left to light the menorah was only supposed to last for one day, yet miraculously it lasted for eight! In celebration of this miracle, Hanukkah lasts for eight nights, and many things are eaten that are fried in oil to mark the occasion. The most iconic dishes are potato latkes and jelly donuts, but many people will fry other things as well, such as these delicious artichokes, in commemoration of the holiday.
So now, back to the bubbly. Bubbly and fried food are a match made in heaven. While it might seem a bit odd at first, the salty and slightly oily aspects of the fried food go really well with sparkling wine. The acidity of the wine cuts through the grease, like a nice squeeze of lemon, which cleanses your palate, while the bubbles help keep your taste buds feeling fresh and invigorated.
Our favorite bubbly to drink with latkes is Prosecco. We love Prosecco because it’s known for tasting bright and crisp, great for the fried food, and it’s one of the more affordable varieties of sparkling wine on the market. Prosecco is great because you can buy a few bottles without breaking the bank, and enjoy sipping glass after glass while having friends over to make latkes and play a round of no-limit dreidel.
Happy Thanksgivukkah.
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