Wines for the Thanksgiving Table
It’s the most wonderful time of the year- once again! The stores begin bustling and people start hustling to get everything done in anticipation of Santa Claus or Santa Paws; holiday parties, family get togethers, and the food, oh the food! But first we need to gather round with those we love and celebrate all that we have to be grateful for. The house smells of roasting meat and everyone is happy to greet, eat, drink and be merry! Here is a brief breakdown of what you could use for your holiday entertaining wines.
Juve & Camps Cava Brut Rose’
This delightful sparkling wine from Spain, often referred to as “the Champagne of Spain” is made in a similar method; this one exclusively of Pinot Noir grapes from a single vineyard with chalky soils. It expresses hints of red berries in both the nose and mouth, with a luscious flavor and long finish. Pour this as an aperitif, with hors d oeuvres, or even with your main turkey dinner. I give it two bones.
Astrolabe Pinot Gris this winery from New Zealand makes some of the best Sauvignon Blanc on the market, but we picked their incredible Pinot Gris to pair with a Thanksgiving meal and all the trimmings. Simon Waghorn runs a small family operation in a diverse sub region of Marlborough. The wine has fairly low acid, but the flavor comes through with notes of pear and apple (think apple gravy with your roasted bird) the nose is floral and the finish refreshing. I give it two bones.
Sun Goddess Pinot Grigio by Mary J Blige from Friuli with hints of peach and melon. The Ramato 2021 is slightly pink in the glass, with hints of lemon rind and white pepper. This wine would be a great starter to a larger meal with hearty dishes but will stand up to an herb roasted turkey. I give it two bones.
Walt Pinot Noir Blue Jay made by Katheryn Walt Hall, is a true tribute to her parents, who began growing grapes and selling them to the finest California wineries over 50 years ago from their own backyard. Kathryn has been a vintner of premier wines since the 1970’s but that didn’t keep her from becoming an attorney, serving as US Ambassador to Austria (1997-2001) and making her famous Hall Wines as well. Walt is 100% Pinot Noir from Anderson Valley, with aromas of beautiful dark berries, ripe fig, with clove and black pepper on the finish. A perfect pairing for all the flavors on the Thanksgiving table, from roasted vegetables to herbs, buttery sweet potatoes and tangy dressing. I give it three bones.
Georges Duboeuf Beaujolais Villages is another perfect pairing for your holiday meal. The wines made from any of the 39 villages in southern Burgundy known as Beaujolais grow the finest Gamay grape varietal. The nose has deep red fruit, cherries and strawberry, with flavors of darker fruit, cranberry, and crème de cassis, delicate tannins and a lingering finish. I give it three bones.
12 e mezzo Primativo del Salento the Italian version of a big, tasty red Zinfandel. Linked genetically to the Zinfandel grape, Primativo is the Italian version (grown mostly in Puglia- the “heel of the boot”) though both are linked through DNA analyses to the Croatian grape called Crljenak. Varvaglione Vigni and Vini produce this winner with sweet, ripe dark fruit- blackberry and plum. The nose is black cherry, cola, cocoa and vanilla, with a smoky, peppery spice on the finish. Think spicy sausage stuffing, candied yams and Grandma’s chocolate pie! I give it three bones.
This is just a sampling of wines to choose from all over the world to enjoy with your family and friends for the holidays. Stop on by and we will help you fill you’re your cup! Happy Thanksgiving! Salute’!
BY CRBrown
