Wine and Cannabis Pairings That Go Perfect With Your Friendsgiving Dinner
The holidays are fast approaching. Retailers already have their jingle playlists on repeat and temperatures have noticeably dipped. Whether you’ve been holed up at home or have returned to work, we could all use a break from our daily 1, 2 step.
Since social gatherings are back in effect, no doubt you’ll see Friendsgiving invites popping up in your DMs. Friendsgiving is like an “adult” Thanksgiving. While regular Thanksgiving is like going back home to be a kid again, in adult form. Each serves its purpose, but back home there’s no passing of anything to the left other than plates of food, if you know what I mean.
In honor of Friendsgiving, I’ve put together three wine and cannabis pairings with the help of Khalid Al-Naser, Head of Product at Raw Garden Farm. Raw Garden is a 50 acre all organic cannabis farm with a focus on sustainable cultivation practices. Located in Santa Ynez Hills, they’re one of the largest cannabis growers in California. Beyond growing quality flowers, much like Friendsgiving, Raw Garden is about bringing people together.
These pairings were especially matched to compliment the full-bodied flavors of a Thanksgiving dinner. What better way to show thanks than over a delicious homemade meal, elevated by a tasty bottle of wine and a complementary strain of quality cannabis?
Below, from appetizer to dessert, we’ve laid a roadmap that’ll take you and your friends to a whole new level of thankfulness:
1. APPETIZERS: Mac & Cheese Bites, Cornbread Bites, Cheese & Veggie Platter
WINE: Columna, Albariño (Rias Baixas, Spain)
A crisp white wine with mild sweetness and a clean minerality that compliments more subtle meal pairings.
CANNABIS: Raw Garden, Peach Blossom Pen
Soft notes of sweet peaches and floral undertones that give a pleasant taste and uplifting high.
SUGGESTED ORDER: Smoke / Drink / Eat / Drink
2. MAIN MEAL: Candied Yams, Mashed Potatoes, Collard Greens, Green Beans, Stuffing, Turkey
WINE: The Hilt, Pinot Noir 2014 (Santa Barbara, Central Coast, California)
A drinkable, medium-bodied red – savory, dark and perfumed wine. The Hilt Estate in the Santa Ynez Valley produces award-winning wines like this delicious Pinot Noir.
CANNABIS: Raw Garden, Paradise OG Pen
Fruit forward with a gassy, diesel-like boutique that finishes with soft notes of tropical funk.
SUGGESTED ORDER: Drink / Eat / Drink / Smoke
3. DESSERT: Sweet Potato Pie
WINE: Royal Tokaji, 5 Puttonyos Azus (Mád, Hungary)
Hungarian dessert wine with a long history and a great story. Sweet, high in sugar, with excellent acidity that acts as a wonderful finish to any meal and a great palate cleanser.
CANNABIS: Raw Garden, Blackberry Cookies Pen
Big notes of ripe berries and cream, with a hint of classic cannabis “kushiness”.
SUGGESTED ORDER: Smoke / Drink / Eat / Drink / Smoke
Aside from being specially curated to compliment a Friendsgiving meal, there’s also a suggested order in which to enjoy the experience. Different orders prepare the palate for interesting twists.
Whichever side of the holiday pool you wish to dive in, one thing’s for sure, it will be lit. To try out these pairings, visit the links above. Hope you enjoy the Friendsgiving festivities as much as I plan to!
