Killer gravy and the other, other pinot

I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving holiday!  I am slowly but surely moving back in the direction of non-elastic banded pants this week.  Kristi and I had a great meal on Thanksgiving and I wanted to share one part of it that might be an uncommon addition next time you do your bird.  For the gravy we deglazed the roasting pan with chicken stock, a splash of red wine, and a splash of marsala wine.  The two wines really kicked up the flavor in an interesting way.  For those of you who don't know about marsala wine it is a fortified wine from Italy.  If you have ever had chicken marsala at a restaurant, it is the wine that makes the flavor of the dish so unique.  Marsala is wine that has brandy added to it, thus fortifying it like a port wine.  The flavor is slightly sweet and nutty and is just fine to drink on its own, but is usually saved for cooking here in the States.  It is very affordable and adds great flavor to a pasta dish whether you are using chicken or shrimp.  Reducing the wine in the pan is the best way to go.  That simply means leaving it over a moderate heat to condense a bit.  The alcohol will burn off as it cooks, so no worries there.  Mushrooms and shallots taste amazing in that kind of sauce!

Last night, we had a great dinner with friends and had a bottle of Domaine Chandon Pinot Meunier.  That is pronounced Pee No Moon Yay.  I know at least half the folks out there are not interested in lighter bodied red wines, but this is so flavorful!  Pinot Meunier is the third grape in Champagnes, the other two being Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.  Very few Pinot Muniers are offered on their own, so when I see one, I try to grab it.  Granted, it is not the cheapest wine at roughly $23, but if you like a nice slightly toasty, fruit forward wine to go with chicken or seafood, this is a good one.  It is maybe a little lighter bodied than typical American Pinot Noirs, and has a less earthy flavor.  I know Central Market carries it, and I have also seen it at Veritas, but if you know of other places that carry it, please let us all know!