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.
2020 Mulderbosch Sparkling Rose (Stellenbosch, South Africa) – $22.99
NV Adami Garbèl Prosecco doc Treviso (Veneto, Italy) – $27.49
2020 Huber Gruner Veltliner Blanc de Blancs Brut (Traisental, Austria) – $39.99
Champagne
Now if you serve Champagne, your audience will immediately know you’re here to do some serious partaking and celebrating.
NV Nicolas Maillart Brut Platine Premier Cru (Champagne, France) – $66.99
NV Champagne Andre Clouet Brut Rose No. 3 (Champagne, France) – $74.99
NV Champagne Delamotte Blanc de Blancs (Champagne, France) – $109.99
2012 Bollinger La Grande Année Rosé Brut (Champagne, France) – $284.99
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 Château Sainte-Marie Vieilles Vignes (Bordeaux – Entre-Deux-Mers, France) – $20.99
2017 Chateau de la Mulonniere M de Mulonniere Anjou Chenin Blanc (Loire Valley, France) – $23.99
2018 Dr. Heinz Wagner Ockfener Bockstein Riesling Kabinett (Mosel-Saar-Ruwer, Germany) – $28.99
2018 Puerto Ancona El Enemigo Chardonnay (Mendoza, Argentina) – $34.99
2019 Domaine Marcel Deiss Alsace Complantation (Alsace, France) – $41.99
2018 Louis Jadot Meursault Premier Cru Les Genevrieres (Burgundy – Cote de Beaune, France) – $147.99
2020 Leitz Pinot Noir Rosé feinherb (Rheingau, Germany) – $24.99
2010 Lopez de Heredia Vina Tondonia Gran Reserva Rosado (Rioja, Spain) – $64.99
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.
2019 Manos Negras Pinot Noir (Mendoza, Argentina) – $20.99
2018 Oisly et Thésée Les Bremailles Touraine Gamay (France) – $21.99
2018 Domaine des Ouled Thaleb CB Signature (Morocco) – $25.99
2018 Neil Ellis Cabernet Sauvignon (Stellenbosch, South Africa) – $29.99
2019 Domaine Steeve Charvet Morgon Cote du Py (Beaujolais, France) – $34.99
2019 Cristom Pinot Noir Mt. Jefferson Cuvee (Oregon – Willamette Valley, United States) – $59.99
2016 Massolino Filli Barolo (Piedmont, Italy) – $76.99
2011 Cune Imperial Gran Reserva (Rioja, Spain) – $92.99
2009 Niepoort Charme (Douro, Portugal) – $129.99
2008 Château La Providence (Bordeaux – Pomerol, France) – $199.99
2011 Château Trotanoy (Bordeaux – Pomerol, France) – $269.99
2004 Petrolo Galatrona (Tuscany, Italy) – $379.99
Dessert
Sweet dessert wines and Port are always good for the final touches of a meal:
2013 Royal Tokaji 5 Puttonyos Aszu (Hungary) – 250mL – $29.99
2018 Domaine Huet Le Mont Moelleux (Vouvray, France) – $62.99
2010 Knebel Winninger Uhlen Riesling Beerenauslese (Mosel-Saar-Ruwer, Germany) – 375mL – $159.99
2002 Dow’s Colheita (Douro, Portugal) – $49.99
2000 Quevedo Colheita (Douro, Portugal) – $69.99
2003 Quinta do Vesuvio Vintage Port (Douro, Portugal) – $154.99
Messias 40 Year Old (Douro, Portugal) – $159.99
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!