Looking for some wine recommendations for Thanksgiving? Let's start with the whites......Thanksgiving is really a smorgasbord of flavors so I think the best way to enjoy the feast is to have a number of different wines to enjoy. I like to recommend whites that have 2 essential ingredients, the first is high acid, the second is light to medium in their body(the weight of the wine on the palate). The high acid really cleanses the palate thus highlighting anything that enters after it, plus they are very refreshing and with a big meal ahead of you…..who doesn’t need refreshment! Light to medium bodied wines tend to work better and not overpower the food. Look for wines between 10-11.9% for lighter bodied and 12-13.9% for medium bodied.
In regards to red wine recommendations I like wines that are lighter in body, so look for wines under 14% alcohol. They tend to have better balance and don’t try to steal the show from the turkey and all the trimmings.
Since it’s Beaujolais season, nouveaux is always an option, especially since this was such a great year for Beaujolais nouveaux. Don’t overlook some of the Grand Cru Beaujolais like , Regnie, Fleurie, Moulin-a-Vent , and Brouilly.
Pinot Noir is a classic recommendation as well. I like to suggest Burgundy (France) here, especially the more feminine in style from the Cote de Beaune. Good examples would be Volnay, Pommard or a Chorey les Beaune, although you might have to venture outside of PA to find a decent selection.
California and Oregon could provide some other options for Pinot Noir if you don’t feel like leaving the state! Look for Pinots from the Willamette Valley in Oregon and Russian River Valley, Sonoma Coast and Carneros in California.
If you want to drink something Spanish, I would suggest the Tempranillo grape which is excellent with food. Look for a “Joven”, “Crianza” or “Reserva” style wine from Rioja.
If you would like to drink Italian, then drink something made with the Sangiovese grape like Chianti Classico. The medium body and high acid make them work extremely well.
Cabernet Francs can also be a wonderful match although this wine might be a bit more challenging to find. Look for a Chinon from the Loire Valley in France or a California Cabernet Franc.
The Thanksgiving meal is a wonderful opportunity to experiment with both red and white wines, but remember the most important thing is to drink what you like! Happy Thanksgiving…Cheers!
Tried them all WG, but I was so FULL after the meal, and I didn't have any Turkey!
ReplyDeleteExcellent suggestions, thanks!