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KEENE, N.H. (MyKeeneNow) When a friend asked if I’d be interested in accompanying her to Granita Enoteca’s monthly Wine Club session in November, and write about it, I jumped at the chance. I don’t know a lot about wine, but I know the restaurant menu is fantastic as I’d sampled from it.
As I walked into the restaurant at 51 Railroad St., the cozy, communal ambiance of the space immediately set the tone for an evening of culinary discovery. I was more than curious about the featured theme: wines that pair perfectly with a Thanksgiving feast.
The event was buzzing, and I soon learned it was sold out, with 96 guests filling the communal tables. I was seated with a larger group, but I found out attendees in pairs or smaller groups were seated with people they didn’t know. This added a social element to the evening.
Waiting at my seat was a packet of information about the evening’s star—Kiona Vineyards and Winery from Benton City, WA. The literature detailed the vineyard’s history, from its pioneering days in the Columbia Valley in 1975 to its current reputation for producing some of the world’s most distinctive wines.
The evening began with a brief introduction from a Kiona representative, who spoke passionately about the six wines we would taste, weaving in anecdotes about the vineyard’s three-generation family legacy.
The first pour was a 2022 riesling from the Columbia Valley, paired with an autumn harvest sa
lad. The crispness of the riesling complemented the sweet-tart flavors of baby kale, apple, and maple balsamic vinaigrette—a light yet vibrant start.
Next came the Lemberger 2021 from Red Mountain, served with a velvety butternut squash soup. The soup’s warm notes of cranberry and pepita (pumpkin seed) paired harmoniously with the wine’s earthy undertones.
The heart of the meal was a Thanksgiving-inspired trio of wines—a sangiovese, a red blend, and a merlot—all served with a dish that included garlic-chive mashed potatoes and the juiciest, most tender bone-in chicken breast I’ve ever tasted. The rich flavors of the wines elevated this course to something truly memorable.
To close, the final pairing was a 2018 red blend with a pumpkin cheesecake topped with toasted marshmallow. The wine’s bold character matched the dessert’s creamy sweetness, rounding out the meal on a luxurious note.
For $60, the six-course pairing menu was an indulgent yet reasonably priced experience, while the $15 gratuity fee, split among the attentive servers, felt like a small token of appreciation for their excellent service.
As the evening drew to a close, we were invited to place orders for the wines we had enjoyed—a thoughtful touch for anyone looking to recreate the experience at home.
This was more than a wine tasting; it was a celebration of the interplay between food, wine, and community. If you’re a wine enthusiast—or simply someone who enjoys a great meal—I can’t recommend Granita Enoteca’s Wine Club enough.
The next event, featuring holiday-themed pairings, is set for Dec. 22. I’ve already marked my calendar.
Reservations: granitakeene.com/monthly-wine-club