Wow, time flies…Thanksgiving week is upon us, so here is our annual picks to accompany the classic turkey and ham dinner and all its fixings. Start your evening off with a sparkling wine, followed by whites, reds, a dessert wine and perhaps this year add a little meditation course for Amaro or Port.
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 de Chanceny Cremant de Loire Brut – $20.99
NV Cantina Colli del Soligo Prosecco Solicum – $22.99
NV Domaine Baud Cremant du Jura Brut Savage – $29.99
Champagne
Nothing is more representative of a special occasion than serving Champagne – your audience will immediately know you’re here to partake and celebrate something unique and stylish.
NV Nicolas Maillart Brut Platine 1er Cru – $59.99
NV Henri Billiot et Fils Rosé – $68.99
1990 Veuve Clicquot Ponsardin Cave Privée Brut – $259.99
1996 Moet & Chandon Dom Perignon Oenotheque – $429.99
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, Gewurztraminers or other Germanic or Alsace varietals. Having said that, some will always go with a dry Chardonnay. Also, remember that rosés work really well too.
2012 Chateau Megyer Furmint – $16.99
2013 Umani Ronchi Exclamation Verdicchio – $19.49
2013 Gray Monk Siegerrebe – $22.49
2012 Willi Schaefer Graacher Domprobst Riesling Kabinett – $39.99
2012 Hamilton Russell Chardonnay – $44.99
2007 Zind-Humbrecht Rangen de Thann Clos Saint-Urbain Grand Cru Pinot Gris – $102.99
2012 Rolet Arbois Cuvée des Beaux Jours Rosé – $19.99
2012 Domaine Lafond Roc-Epine Tavel – $23.99
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 upfront fruit, little oak and a soft structure like a Beaujolais (served slightly chilled) or Pinot Noir. A very fruity Zinfandel or an unoaked Portguese red will work well as well.
2011 Marques de la Musa Garnacha Carinena – $16.99
2010 Julius Klein Rotwein St. Laurent Trocken – $23.99
2012 Domaine les Cotes de la Roche Saint Amour – $26.99
2009 Campolargo Pinot Noir – $30.99
2013 Weingut Roth Domina Wiesenbronn Trocken – $32.99
2011 Calera Pinot Noir – $42.99
2003 Lopez de Heredia Vina Bosconia Reserva – $54.99
2009 Louis Jadot Beaune Boucherottes 1er Cru – $59.99
2008 Produttori del Barbaresco Vigneti Pora Riserva – $79.99
2010 Paul Hobbs Katherine Lindsay Vineyard Pinot Noir – $114.99
2004 Domaine d’Ardhuy Clos de Vougeot – $159.99
2003 Vega Sicilia Unico Gran Reserva – $489.99
Dessert
As for dessert, i would recommend a Pedro Ximenez from Spain for that Pecan pie pairing, and the Pisano EtXe Oneko Tannat Liqueur from Uruguay if doing a chocolate based dessert. Others listed below would pair well for fruit based desserts.
Lustau Pedro Ximinez San Emilio Solera – $25.99
2007 Pisano EtXe Oneko Licor de Tannat – $21.99
2009 Chateau Prince Coteaux de l’Aubance – $28.99
2011 Mullineux Straw Wine – $32.99
2009 Domaine Huet Cuvee Constance – $167.99
Port & Amaro
Port is always good for the final touches of a meal, but the digestif Amaro from Italy is on fire.
Offley Baron of Forrester 20 Year Old Tawny – $59.99
1982 Messias Colheita – $89.99
1983 Graham’s Vintage Port – $144.99
2003 Quinta do Noval Nacional Vintage Port – $949.99
Finally, if you are pressed for time, try out our October Mixed Case – $207.92 where most of the wines would pair well with Thanksgiving dinner.
Note our regular store hours are in affect this long weekend, except holiday monday when we’re open from noon-5pm.
Happy Thanksgiving everyone!