Author: Dirk Chan
Wow…Thanksgiving week is fast upon us, where did September go? So here is our annual picks to accompany the classic turkey and/or ham dinner with all its fixings. Start your evening off with a sparkling wine, followed by whites, reds, a dessert wine and perhaps a port to end.
Sparkling Wines
Sparkling wines are a great way to start any function whether its a greeting aperitif or to pair with appetizers. Lively and clean, these will get everyone ready for what’s to come next.
NV Mezzacorona Mezza Italian Glacial Bubbly (Alto Adige, Italy) – $19.99
NV Pere Ventura Cuvee Barrique Gran Reserva (Penedès, Spain) – $25.99
NV Cleto Chiarli Brut de Noir Rosé (Emilia-Romagna, Italy) – $27.49
NV Corte Manzini Fior di Lambrusco Rosé (Emilia-Romagna, Italy) – $28.49
2022 Aphros Phaunus Pet Nat Sparkling Rose (Vinho Verde, Portugal) – $46.99
Champagne
Now if you serve Champagne, your audience will immediately know you’re here to do some serious partaking and celebrating.
NV Champagne Monmarthe Secret de Famille Brut (Champagne, France) – $62.99
NV Champagne Gardet Charles Prestige Blanc de Blancs (Champagne, France) – $104.99
NV Billecart-Salmon Brut Rosé (Champagne, France) – $139.99
NV Champagne Ployez-Jacquemart Extra Brut Granite (Champagne, France) – $219.99
2015 Louis Roederer Cristal Brut (Champagne, France) – $499.99
Whites & Pinks
Whites with a touch of sweetness is preferred because of the sweetness of some of the fixings – candied yams, cranberry sauce, and honey for the glazed ham. A completely dry white will seem more austere and void of fruit due to the sweetness of the food so I recommend Rieslings (dry or off-dry, both work), sweet Chenin Blancs or other Germanic or Alsace varietals. Having said that, some will always go with a dry creamy Chardonnay irregardless and that’s perfectly fine. Also, don’t forget that rosés work really well too!
2022 Domaine Labbé Abymes (Savoie, France) – $22.99
2023 Wild Goose Gewurztraminer (BC – Okanagan, Canada) – $26.99
2023 Tommasi Paternoster Vulcanico Falanghina (Basilicata, Italy) – $30.99
2023 Sybille Kuntz Riesling Trocken (Mosel, Germany) – $33.99
2023 Truchard Roussanne (California – Napa Valley, United States) – $44.99
2021 Pievalta San Paolo Verdicchio Classico Riserva (Marches, Italy) – $61.99
2021 Fundacao Eugenio de Almeida Cartuxa Pera-Mancha Branco (Alentejo, Portugal) – $94.99
2021 Francois Mikulski Meursault (Meursault, France) – $156.99
2018 Domaine de Chevalier Blanc (Bordeaux – Pessac-Leognan, France) – $259.99
2023 Domaine du Salvard Cheverny Rosé (Loire Valley, France) – $22.99
2023 Château La Nerthe Tavel Prieure de Montezargues (Rhone Valley, France) – $33.49
Reds
For reds, try to avoid the big oaky tannic monsters. Oak and tannins are the enemies when pairing with slightly sweet food, try for a red with lots of up-front fruit, little oak and a soft tannins like a Beaujolais (served slightly chilled) or a Pinot Noir.
2022 Bruno Lafon Le P’tit Pinot (Languedoc-Roussillon, France) – $22.99
2023 Agricola Gorgo Bardolino (Veneto, Italy) – $22.99
2018 Gold Hill Cabernet Franc (BC – Okanagan, Canada) – $29.99
2023 G. D. Vajra Barbera d’Alba (Piedmont, Italy) – $32.99
2017 Spier 21 Gables Pinotage (Stellenbosch, South Africa) – $44.99
2022 Illahe Vineyards Pinot Noir (Oregon – Willamette Valley, United States) – $53.99
2021 Filipa Pato & William Wouters Nossa Calcário Baga Vinhas Velhas (Bairrada, Portugal) – $72.99
2018 Descendientes de Jose Palacios Villa de Corullon (Bierzo, Spain) – $77.99
2017 Ramey Pinot Noir (California – Russian River Valley, United States) – $89.99
2020 Albino Rocca Barbaresco Ronchi (Piedmont, Italy) – $104.99
2017 Clos Figueras Clos Figueres (Priorat, Spain) – $137.99
2013 Giuseppe Mascarello Barolo Santo Stefano di Perno (Piedmont, Italy) – $174.99
2016 Louis Jadot Corton Pougets Grand Cru (Burgundy – Cote de Beaune, France) – $249.99
2009 Château Pontet-Canet (Bordeaux – Pauillac, France) – $549.99
Dessert
Sweet dessert wines and Port are always good for the final touches of a meal:
2023 Alkoomi Grazing Collection Late Harvest (Western Australia, Australia) – $22.99
2018 Ramos Pinto Late Bottled Vintage (Douro, Portugal) – $37.99
2019 Château Doisy-Daene (Bordeaux – Barsac, France) – 375mL – $51.99
2007 Marchesi Gondi Cardinal de Retz Vin Santo del Chianti Rufina Riserva Tenuta Bossi (Tuscany, Italy) – 375mL – $64.99
Quevedo 20 Year Old Tawny Port (Douro, Portugal) – $67.99
2019 Château Suduiraut (Bordeaux – Sauternes, France) – 375mL – $84.99
1982 Thunevin-Calvet Maury Vin Doux Naturel (Languedoc-Roussillon, France) – $87.99
Messias 30 Year Old Tawny Port (Douro, Portugal) – $109.99
2010 Hexamer Rieslng Eiswein (Nahe, Germany) – 375mL – $169.99
1963 Messias Colheita Selecionada (Douro, Portugal) – $329.99
1985 Fonseca Vintage Port (Douro, Portugal) – $389.99
Note our regular store hours are in affect this long weekend, except holiday monday when we will be CLOSED.
Happy Thanksgiving everyone!