Thanksgiving wine reviews
Each year as we approach the most traditional of American holidays, Thanksgiving, I look forward to writing this article. It is the most food-friendly of holiday meals, and each year we are excited to assemble a wide range of wines that not only pair well with the main event, fabulous side dishes, and yummy appetizers, but also meet the preferences of assembled large crowds. From sparkling to still, white to red, and sweet to dry, here are some of our favorites this year to serve to your friends and family.
A glass of sparkling wine always sets the festive mood at the holiday, including Thanksgiving. We have two for you that not only are delicious and produced in France, but priced to satisfy your large gathering. Both are rose and bone dry; like other pink wines, the color comes from skin contact with red grapes - usually Pinot Noir - and has little to do with the sweetness level. The Louis Bouillot Cremant de Bourgogne brut rose has been one of our favorites ever since we first tried it three years ago. While it is from Burgundy, it drinks every bit as good as some from the higher priced appellation of Champagne. The wine is crisp and dry and strawberry-noted with fine bubbles. $15.
A new sparkler for us this year is the Veuve Devienne Rose Sec. The wine has lovely texture and fruit flavors but maintains its dryness. Hints of biscuit on the nose give it more of a "toasty" feel, and like the Bouillot the bubbles are nice and light. $11.
For a crisp and zippy white wine to use as an aperitif with all of the great starters on Thanksgiving, try the Paco & Lola Albarino from Spain for $22. The wine has great acid to keep the richness of cheeses and dips in check, the flavors are citrus-noted and the nose shows salinity and flinty mineral notes. A great polka dot label completes the handsome packaging that your guests will love.
Chardonnay remains the most popular white varietal, and with the toasty oak flavors and butter profiles, it also goes well with the fall chill in the air and hearty meals at the holidays. The Paraiso Chardonnay from the Santa Lucia Highlands in California is delicious. $15. Classic notes of golden apples, stony minerality and toasty oak lead to great palate balance anchored by firm acid. Those who love Chardonnay will love this wine, and it will go well with your Thanksgiving turkey also. For a smaller crowd, the Abeja Chardonnay from Walla Walla superstar winemaker John Abbott is a great choice. Rich and elegant, the wine is a showstopper. $38.
Pinot Noir and gamey birds like turkey is the most natural of food pairings. The lovely cherry flavors, earthy aromatics, and juicy acid all combine to make Pinot really shine with your Thanksgiving feast. As many of our regular readers probably know, Pinot is one of our favorite varietals, so choices abound. My former employer Balletto Vineyards crafts some of the finest Russian River Valley Pinot - the appellation I prefer - to be had. $35. The Failla Sonoma Coast is also great, a bit more opulent than the Balletto for those who prefer really full-bodied Pinot Noir. $40 will garner "oohs" and "ahhs" from your assembled guests. If you are expecting a bigger crowd, you can't go wrong with the Parker Station from Fess Parker for $15.
No matter the beauty of pairing a big turkey dinner with lighter-bodied varietals like Pinot Noir, some of our guests will always prefer fuller-bodied selections. We have three for you in that category. Doug Nalle has been producing fabulous Sonoma County Zinfandel for many years. His 2011 is no exception, blended with some Carignane and Petite Sirah to compensate for an extraordinarily cool year. The wine is rich and loaded with raspberry flavors, perfect for "Zin" lovers. $42.
As always, we remain big fans of John Lancaster's work at the helm of Skylark Wine Company. His 2010 Las Aves, $31, a blend of Carignane, Cabernet, Grenache and Syrah is no exception to past performance. The wine is dense and dark, with many layers of dark fruit flavors and a firm finish, but possessing enough acid to still carry the day on Thanksgiving.
We remain big boosters of Syrah, and while it is not quite "the" natural pairing with turkey, we love to drink the varietal. The Roza Ridge from Zillah Washington, $14, is a great choice. It is loaded with the "bacon fat" aromatic and ripe cherry flavors on the palate. It has the heft to be a treat for your "big wine" - loving guests, and finesse to work well with the meal.
Stop by the shop for more Thanksgiving wine pairing suggestions, or chat with your favorite wine professional about what will fit for your group this fall.
If there is a topic you would like to read about or questions on wine you can email george@thedinnerpartyshop.com, or make suggestions by contacting the Healthy Community section at the Coeur d'Alene Press.
George Balling is co-owner with his wife Mary Lancaster of the dinner party, a wine and tabletop decor shop in Coeur d'Alene by Costco. George has also worked as a judge in many wine competitions; his articles are published around the country, and he is the wine editor for Coeur d'Alene Magazine (www.cdamagazine.com).
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