Thanksgiving can be confusing for wine pairing so here's a list of suggestions, made easy for you. All you need to know is #1 - what you like and #2 - what your price point is. The wines selected increase in quality as the price increases (which is not always true). In addition, you can choose different categories of wines for different courses. See the lists below for Top Picks.
To Start:
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By its very nature, Thanksgiving is a day of celebration so why not start off with an elegant hors d'oeuvres and a toast of Sparkling Wine or Champagne. It's a great opportunity for friends and family to list all those things for which we are grateful. If you're lucky enough to be a guest for dinner, Champagne is always an appropriate gift.
For Dinner:
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Most people have a strong preference as to whether it's red or white. There is no wrong choice - it's really a matter of taste. With either choice, you will want to choose a medium weight wine which doesn't overpower the turkey with too much acidity (white) or tannins (red).
For Dessert:
Fall desserts like pumpkin pie can stand up to a heartier dessert wine like Port or Vin Santo. Fruit desserts call for something lighter like the Australian Semillon listed below. If you generally skip this wine course, splurge a little this year and try something new. There's even a Port suggestion from the near perfect 1994 vintage, the best in 60 years.
CHAMPAGNE OR SPARKLING WINE:
Zardetto Prosecco Brut $13.99
Argyle Brut Willamette -
Valley Oregon 2007 $22.99
Moet Chandon Brut $42.99
If you're a guest, the State Store has a lovely gift Veuve Clicquot with Ice Jacket for $46.99.
DINNER WINES:
White:
Bernardus Sauvignon Blanc Grivia Vineyard 2009 $11.99
MacRostie Vineyard Chardonnay -
Wildcat Mountain 2007 $17.99
Walter Hansel Chardonnay Cahill Lane RRVC 2009 $39.99
Red:
Fattoria di Magliano Morellino $13.99
*(good for my Italian friends who are also having pasta)
di Scansano Heba 2007 Sangiovese
Elk Cove Vineyards Pinot Noir 2009 $25.99
Samsara Pinot Noir Ste. Rita Hills 2009 $29.99
DESSERT WINES:
De Bortolli Noble One Semillon 2003 (375 ml) $17.49
De Bortolli Noble One Semillon 2008 (375 ml) $29.99
Badia a Coltibuono Vin Santo del Chianti Classico 2004 $36.49
Dow's Vintage Port Porto 1994 $95.99
Finally, remember that the best wine is always the wine you like best. That goes for your guests as well - know your audience. And above all, relax. Thanksgiving is a spectacular holiday where among many other blessings, we can be thankful that there will always be more great wine than we can drink in a lifetime.
Cheers!
Tammy
