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) – $21.49
NV Tomato Wheels Lambrusco (Emilia-Romagna, Italy) – $34.99
NV Bisci Verdicchio Matelica Extra Brut (Marches, Italy) – $36.99
NV Domaine Deliance Cremant de Bourgogne Brut Reserve (Burgundy – Cote Chalonnaise, France) – $37.99
2021 13th Street Gamay Blanc de Noir (Ontario, Canada) – $38.99
Champagne
Now if you serve Champagne, your audience will immediately know you’re here to do some serious partaking and celebrating.
NV Champagne Gardet Brut Tradition (Champagne, France) – $56.99
NV Henri Billiot et Fils Rosé (Champagne, France) – $81.99
NV Veuve Clicquot Ponsardin Extra Brut Extra Old 3 (Champagne, France) – $119.99
NV Egly-Ouriet Grand Cru Tradition Extra Brut (Champagne, France) – $181.99
2004 Champagne Ployez-Jacquemart Brut Liesse d’Harbonville (Champagne, France) – $289.99
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!
2021 Villa des Anges Chardonnay (Languedoc-Roussillon, France) – $19.99
2022 Fento Bico da Ran Albarino (Rias Baixas, Spain) – $24.99
2020 Paul Zinck Pinot Gris (Alsace, France) – $29.99
2016 Huber Ried Alte Setzen 10TW Gruner Veltliner (Traisental, Austria) – $39.99
2020 Willi Schaefer Graacher Riesling QbA Trocken (Mosel, Germany) – $44.99
2019 Pievalta San Paolo Verdicchio Classico Riserva (Marches, Italy) – $51.99
2020 Les Vins de Vienne Condrieu (Condrieu, France) – $69.99
2021 Francois Mikulski Meursault (Meursault, France) – $156.99
2017 Egon Muller Scharzhofberger Riesling Spatlese (Mosel, Germany – $329.99
2021 Château Le Grand Verdus Rosé (Bordeaux, France) – $22.99
2021 Feudo Montoni Rose di Adele Nerello Mascalese (Sicily, Italy) – $39.99
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.
2022 Domaine de Bachellery Pinot Noir (Languedoc-Roussillon, France) – $22.99
2020 Dominique Piron Beaujolais Les Cadoles (Beaujolais, France) – $24.99
2018 Mullineux Kloof Street Red (Swartland, South Africa) – $26.99
2018 Cune Reserva (Rioja, Spain) – $29.49
2021 Elvio Cogno Langhe Nebbiolo Montegrilli (Piedmont, Italy) – $41.99
2018 Gruber Roschitz Black Label St. Laurent (Weinviertel, Austria) – $54.99
2019 Domaine Pavelot Savigny les Beaune Premier Cru Aux Guettes (Burgundy – Cote de Beaune, France) – $69.99
2020 Ridge Lytton Springs (California – Sonoma, United States) – $81.99
2012 Telmo Rodriguez Granja Remelluri Gran Reserva (Rioja, Spain) – $111.99
2015 Oddero Barolo Villero (Piedmont, Italy) – $114.99
2015 Domaine de la Pousse d’Or Volnay Clos d’Audignac Monopole Premier Cru (Burgundy – Cote de Beaune, France) – $154.99
2011 Le Carre (Bordeaux – St. Emilion, France) – $164.99
2013 Castello dei Rampolla Vigna d’Alceo (Tuscany, Italy) – $239.99
2009 Château La Conseillante (Bordeaux – Pomerol, France) – $539.99
Dessert
Sweet dessert wines and Port are always good for the final touches of a meal:
2018 Château Pajzos Harslevelu Late Harvest Tokaj (Tokaj, Hungary) – 500mL – $24.49
2017 Domäne Wachau Beerenauslese Terrassen (Austria) – $35.99
2019 Gruber Roschitz Beerenauslese Chardonnay (Weinviertel, Austria) – 375mL – $39.99
2017 Mission Hill Reserve Riesling Icewine (BC – Okanagan, Canada) – 375mL – $71.99
2011 Château Climens Premier Cru (Bordeaux – Barsac, France) – 375mL – $114.99
2010 Knebel Winninger Uhlen Riesling Beerenauslese (Mosel-Saar-Ruwer, Germany) – 375mL – $159.99
2000 Pocas Junior Colheita (Douro, Portugal) – $69.99
2015 Fonseca Guimaraens Vintage Port (Douro, Portugal) – $86.99
1963 Messias Colheita Selecionada (Douro, Portugal) – $329.99
1994 Taylor Fladgate Vintage Port (Douro, Portugal) – $499.99
Note our regular store hours are in affect this long weekend, except holiday monday when we’re open from noon-5pm.
Happy Thanksgiving everyone!