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.
2014 Luis Pato Bruto Vinho Espumante (Bairrada, Portugal) – $20.99
NV Fernridge Winery Haha Brut Cuvee (Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand) – $29.99
NV Château de Targe Saumur Brut Rose (Loire Valley, France) – $31.49
Champagne
Now if you serve Champagne, your audience will immediately know you’re here to do some serious partaking and celebrating.
NV Champagne J-M Seleque Solessence Brut (Champagne, France) – $49.99
NV A. Margaine Rosé Premier Cru (Champagne, France) – $67.99
2008 Champagne Ployez-Jacquemart Extra Brut Ludes (Champagne, France) – $109.99
2006 Taittinger Comtes de Champagne (Champagne, France) – $299.99
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!
2018 Dubard Château Laulerie Sauvignon Blanc (Bergerac, France) – $19.99
2017 Terras Gauda Abadia de San Campio Albarino (Rias Baixas, Spain) – $24.99
2016 Clos du Soleil Capella (BC – Okanagan, Canada) – $29.99
2017 Mullineux White (Swartland, South Africa) – $41.99
2017 Peter Lauer Fass 17 Neuenberg Riesling (Germany) – $64.99
2018 Domaine Tempier Bandol Rose (Provence, France) – $56.99
2018 Casa de Mouraz Rose (Dao, Portugal) – $27.99
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 up-front fruit, little oak and a soft tannins like a Beaujolais (served slightly chilled) or a Pinot Noir.
2017 Manos Negras Pinot Noir (Mendoza, Argentina) – $19.99
2017 Pascal Aufranc Chenas (Beaujolais, France) – $26.99
2015 Stoneboat Vineyards Rock Opera Pinotage (BC – Okanagan, Canada) – $32.99
2017 Sara Perez & Rene Barbier Dido Venus La Universal (Montsant, Spain) – $37.99
2014 Fontanafredda Barolo di Serralunga d’Alba (Piedmont, Italy) – $49.99
2013 Freemark Abbey Rutherford Cabernet Sauvignon (California – Napa Valley, United States) – $66.99
2016 Braida Barbera d’Asti Bricco dell’ Uccellone (Piedmont, Italy) – $97.99
2012 Mission Hill Oculus (BC – Okanagan, Canada) – $149.99
2012 Louis Jadot Corton Greves Grand Cru (Burgundy – Cote de Beaune, France) – $159.99
2004 Château L’Eglise-Clinet (Bordeaux – Pomerol, France) – $219.99
2006 Quintarelli Amarone della Valpolicella (Veneto, Italy) – $449.99
Dessert
Sweet dessert wines and Port are always good for the final touches of a meal:
2016 Orange River Cellars Straw Wine (South Africa) – 375mL – $21.99
2013 Royal Tokaji 5 Puttonyos Aszu (Hungary) – 250mL – $29.99
2016 Château Lafaurie-Peyraguey (Bordeaux – Sauternes, France) – 375mL – $69.99
2010 Hexamer Rieslng Eiswein (Nahe, Germany) – 375mL – $169.99
Croft NV 430th Anniversary Limited Edition Ruby Port (Douro, Portugal) – $31.99
2000 Porto Quevedo Colheita (Douro, Portugal) – $69.99
1965 Krohn Vintage Port (Douro, Portugal) – $309.99
Note our regular store hours are in affect this long weekend, except holiday monday when we’re open from noon-5pm.
Happy Thanksgiving everyone!