You've probably heard about Nouveau Beaujolais day, but what about Hugel Tasting day?

It takes place at retailers across the US on November 4th. The Hugel family of Alsace, France has been in the wine business for nearly 400 years growing grapes in some of the most rich and coveted terroir in the area. The portfolio has grown over the years and the family is going organic in some vineyards for its "Estate" line of wines. I've been a fan of these wines for decades as they are consistently high quality, great value, food friendly offerings.

The Classic Pinot Gris is a sumptuous dry white with a hint of nuttiness along with bright juicy stone fruit flavors. The Estate Riesling is another dry white with plenty of crisp, refreshing minerality. The Classic Gewurztraminer is spicy and seductive. Another dry white that makes your mouth come alive and is a fantastic food wine for everything from Vegan to Asian to Thanksgiving day turkey.

Many of the Napa and Sonoma county wineries that escaped damage during the recent horrific wildfires are giving back to the community donating percentages of sales to a number of relief organizations.

Ironhorse Vineyards in Sonoma County makes world class sparkling wines, supports a number of environmental causes and has always been so gracious to the many Indiana friends and visitors who have spent time there. This spring the winery started a blend of 2012 pinot noir and chardonnay to release for Thanksgiving, appropriately named "GRATITUDE". But then, says Joy Sterling, life happened. "To be honest, we planned this cuvée months ago ... before Harvey, Irma, Maria, Las Vegas and the fires. We certainly had no idea it would be so timely." Ironhorse is releasing the bottle now and donating part of the sales to the Redwood Empire Food Bank which feeds people year round and has happily taken on more mouths to feed from the fires.