Eat, Drink, Give Thanks

Just days away from Thanksgiving About Town spoke with the owners of two New Canaan institutions who have been providing food and wines for the feasts of residents for many years. 

has existed for one hundred and three years and has been at its current Elm Street location for fifty-three years." said Alex Stewart who has been the store's general manager for the past ten years. "Not too much changes from year to year in people's shopping habits or choices for their Thanksgiving dinner."

Stewart explained, "Right now, we're in the middle of things and people are starting to pick-up their turkeys today.  On Tues., and Wed., we'll be at full capacity."  Stewart's will sell four hundred fresh turkeys and they took reservations through last weekend.  Stewart also said, "Monday was the last day for ordering prepared foods."

For people who did not place advance orders, Stewart's cases will still be stocked with everything from homemade gravy to turkeys and traditional sides. Of course, Stewarts will be providing all types of homemade pies, including pumpkin, apple, pecan and sweet potato crunch.

Walter Stewart's and the Young Women's League recently delivered 102 turkeys to Person to Person. All were purchased with the by Stewart's customers. In their continued spirit of giving back, Walter Stewart's and the Young Women's League also provided meal boxes containing Thanksgiving staples and pantry items, including stuffing mix, cranberry sauce, coffee, tea and cocoa to New Canaan's Human Services as well as Person to Person.  

"Walter Stewart's Market wishes New Canaan a happy and safe Thanksgiving," Stewart said.

"Franco's is the oldest licensed liquor store in the state of Connecticut and opened its doors on the first day of repeal, Dec., 5.,1933," Rick Franco told About Town. "Today, is considered one of the premier wine shops in the Northeast and enjoys a national reputation." Franco has been running the store his uncle started since 1986, along with his brother Carl Franco who, Rick says, "does all the work!" He said, " The store was extremely busy on Saturday, and today we are moving along at a pretty good clip."

About Town asked Rick Franco what wines people prefer for their Thanksgiving feasts and what he, himself likes.  

"People have all sorts of preferences for Thanksgiving," he said. "Some are based on family traditions, some are based on cultural influences -- like having a Spanish wine or an Italian wine on the table because the family has roots in that culture. I personally like beginning the meal with a German Riesling -- they're light, crisp and low in alcohol."  Franco recommended Dr. Crusius from the Nahe region of Germany.

After that, Franco explained, "you can go onto a lighter red or a full bodied red. Without a doubt, the most popular wine at Thanksgiving is a Pinot Noir and we have them in all different price ranges from California, Oregon, France and Germany."  He added, "Of course it also depends upon how many people you have around the table. The more you have, the more wines you can open and then you can really have some fun!"

Beaujolais Noveau is a traditional wine choice for Thanksgiving and Franco explained the reason is that it is delivered on the third Thursday in November, one week before Thanksgiving and is the wine of the harvest in France. "The work is done and it's time to celebrate!" he said.

For white wine lovers, another selection was a 2008 Domaine Ferret Pouilly-Fuisse.  

Franco, said, "I wish everyone in New Canaan a happy Thanksgiving. In a difficult year, hopefully we can all find something to be thankful for."