Our Thanksgiving recommendations
We almost always have Thanksgiving at our home. It is one of those meals I love to cook and an occasion when Mary always creates a beautiful “tablescape.” The coziness of the cool fall day, the celebration of a purely American holiday, and a meal steeped in tradition but with ample breadth for creativity are the perfect backdrops for a real “lifestyle” celebration. Here are our recommendations for Thanksgiving.
We have two great new sparkling choices for you! The Emotion from Antech ($19, wine club price $17.10) is a Cremant de Limoux and a lovely pink color. The designation of Cremant means it is made in the traditional style of secondary fermentation in the bottle, and Limoux is the region in France where it is produced. The wine is light and crisp with fine tight bubbles loaded with flavors of citrus and strawberry. The wine is just delicious and a wonderful way to set a festive mood.
Monte delle Vigne Lambrusco ($16, wine club price $14.40) is made in the classic style of red sparkling wine from Italy. Lambrusco is also one of the less understood wines due to so many bad ones being out there that are made in an overly sweet style. The Monte features lovely plum flavors on the palate, a tight pearl and lightweight dusty tannins framing good acid for a light and refreshing drink with only 11.5 percent alcohol. Try it before or after dinner for a new and innovative addition to your traditional meal.
Riesling is a frequently overlooked grape varietal and like Lambrusco somewhat misunderstood. Riesling can be made sweet or dry, depending on the preference of the winemaker. Either possesses great acid which makes it a perfect pairing with a rich meal like the traditional Thanksgiving dinner. All the acid cuts the richness down to size for a wonderful combination. We prefer dry ones for this occasion. The 2014 from Coulters Creek winery in Lewiston ($15, wine club price $13.50) which we are currently featuring in our wine club is a great choice. Lovely apple flavors and the aforementioned crisp acid make it perfect.
We previously lived pretty close to Landmark Winery in the Sonoma Valley and were always fond of their Overlook Chardonnay. The 2013 from Landmark ($20, wine club price $18) is all that we remember of the wine. Balanced oak, good acid, tasty Chardonnay characteristics of ripe apples and pears with a hint of buttery finish it will be perfect for all the Chardonnay fans or with a crab salad the night before the big event.
Turkey and Pinot Noir are a natural food wine pairing with the bright cherry flavors and earthy mushroom aromas teaming up with the gamey character of the bird. The 2014 Patz & Hall Sonoma Coast Pinot ($48, wine club price $43.20) is a special treat for the day. The wine is completely expressive of our preferred appellation for this delicate varietal. It is all cherries and forest floor and morel mushroom earthiness. Elegant and sleek on the palate there is none better.
Zinfandel was always one of our favorites when we lived in wine country to enjoy on Thanksgiving. The 2014 Rancho Zabaco Dry Creek Zin ($16, wine club price $14.40) is reminiscent of our holidays in wine country. Jammy and rich with ripe raspberry flavors and just a hint of black pepper on the finish the wine will no doubt thrill your guests when paired with the big meal.
One of my earliest wine epiphanies was with the 1982 Jordan Cabernet. When I first had the wine “I got it.” The 2012 Cabernet from Jordan ($60, wine club price $54) is of similar caliber. No doubt too spendy if you are having a crowd, it will over deliver for the money if you are having just a small group. The wine is loaded with ripe Italian plum and dark cherry flavors on the palate, while the aromatics show light baking spice notes and cedar. The wine is firmly but not overly tannined leaving you with a long and lingering finish.
The choices go on and on with prices more modest and more impressive, and styles and flavors to fit most any palate and any budget. Stop by the shop to find just the right bottles for your Thanksgiving.
If there is a topic you would like to read about or if you have questions on wine, you can email George@thedinnerpartyshop.com, or make suggestions by contacting the Healthy Community section at the Coeur d’Alene Press.
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George Balling is co-owner (with his wife Mary Lancaster) of the dinner party, a wine and table top décor shop located by Costco in Coeur d’Alene. George worked as a judge in many wine competitions, and his articles are published around the country. You can learn more about the dinner party at www.thedinnerpartyshop.com. Be sure and check out our weekly blog at www.thedinnerpartyshop.com/home/blog-2. You can get all of these articles as well as other great wine tips by friending us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/#!/dinnerpartyshop.