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 La Jara Brut Prosecco (Veneto, Italy) – $18.99
NV Varichon & Clerc Privilege Rose Dry (Burgundy, France) – $21.99
2016 Selbach-Oster Riesling Sekt Brut (Mosel, Germany) – $41.99
Champagne
Now if you serve Champagne, your audience will immediately know you’re here to do some serious partaking and celebrating.
NV Gremillet Brut Rosé Saignee (Champagne, France) – $64.99
2013 Champagne Lancelot Pienne Brut Accord Majeur (Champagne, France) – $74.99
NV Champagne Agrapart Extra Brut Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru Terroirs (Champagne, France) – $129.99
2004 Bollinger R.D. Extra Brut (Champagne, France) – $359.99
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!
2019 Dubard Château Laulerie Viognier (Bergerac, France) – $22.99
2017 Casa de Mouraz Branco (Dao, Portugal) – $24.99
2018 Fattoria Le Pupille Poggio Argentato (Maremma, Italy) – $29.49
2018 Zind-Humbrecht Pinot Gris Turckheim (Alsace, France) – $36.99
2019 Domaine Delaporte Sancerre Chavignol (Loire Valley, France) – $39.99
2018 Agricola Tiberio Cerasuolo d’Abruzzo (Abruzzi, Italy) – $28.99
2019 Domaine la Navarre Sacrifice (Provence, France) – $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 up-front fruit, little oak and a soft tannins like a Beaujolais (served slightly chilled) or a Pinot Noir.
2017 Edoardo Miroglio Soli Pinot Noir (Bulgaria) – $21.99
2017 Pascal Aufranc Chenas (Beaujolais, France) – $26.99
2016 Spier Creative Block 5 (Stellenbosch, South Africa) – $31.99
2017 Penner-Ash Pinot Noir (Oregon – Willamette Valley, United States) – $47.99
2008 Lopez de Heredia Vina Bosconia Reserva (Rioja, Spain)- $56.99
2012 Cortes de Cima Incógnito (Alentejo, Portugal) – $74.99
2011 Muga Prado Enea Gran Reserva (Rioja, Spain) – $89.99
2015 Prieler Blaufrankisch Goldberg (Austria) – $99.99
2011 Elio Altare Barolo (Piedmont, Italy) – $117.99
2009 Quinta do Portal Auru (Douro, Portugal) – $159.99
2011 Castello dei Rampolla Vigna d’Alceo (Tuscany, Italy)- $219.99
2009 Louis Jadot Echézeaux Grand Cru (Burgundy – Cote de Nuits, France) – $279.99
Dessert
Sweet dessert wines and Port are always good for the final touches of a meal:
2015 Chateau d’Armajan des Ormes (Bordeaux – Sauternes, France) – 375mL – $29.99
2007 Il Poggione Sant’Antimo Vin Santo Riserva (Tuscany, Italy) – 500mL – $52.99
1988 Château Rieussec (Bordeaux – Sauternes, France) – 750mL – $244.99
2008 Fonseca Quinta do Panascal Vintage Port (Douro, Portugal) – $74.99
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 ev eryone!