One of my favorite memories is of the “good old days” when I was the proprietor of a boutique wine shop. I reveled in the enormous increase in activity just prior to Thanksgiving. Each year between the 4th Monday and 4th Wednesday of November an avalanche of customers seemed to suddenly awaken to two realities:
A. The fourth Thursday in November is Thanksgiving.
B. I don’t know what wine to serve with my turkey dinner.
On each of those days happy guests lined up in front of Wine Guy Bob seeking advice as to which wine to choose. What follows is a general approximation of the guidance I provided back then… and now.
Turkey, as we all know, is a delicious protein. It was a staple in the diet to our founding pioneers and, if Ben Franklin had his way, it could have been our national bird.
Roast turkey is one of my personal favorites. Its flavors are mild and ephemeral. In need of additional spice and complex flavors. The dark meat is generally moist, but even the best prepared turkey breast may be a bit dry. By the way, I once had an elderly lady literally hit me on the shoulder with an umbrella for insinuating that her turkey might be dry. No kidding.
The Best Reds
One of the best qualities of turkey is that it can be matched with both white and red wine. However, one must be cautious about which varietals you choose to pair with the bird. Too bold or dry a wine may overcome rather than enhance the flavors.
Now, you can go on the internet, read a newspaper or find a retail store “wine expert” suggesting big wines like Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon. I fail to understand the logic of their advice, even after they explain themselves. Perhaps they are compensated by the wineries that produce the wines they recommend.
I would urge you to disregard that advice.
While an “unoaked” Chardonnay may be appropriate with roasted turkey a big, oaky selection is absolutely a mistake. And Bordeaux and Rhone styled wines (Cabernet, Merlot, Malbec, Syrah, etc.) are just too big, heavy and spicy. Please, do not go there.
For Best Results – Think Fruity Reds
If red wine is your thing you have two safe choices: Beaujolais and Pinot Noir. Both originally hail from the Burgundy region of France. Beaujolais is made from the Gamay grape. If you prefer lighter reds, choose the Beaujolais Nouveau for your Thanksgiving feast.
Cranberry in color this wine is intended to be consumed very young. In fact, it is bottled only 6-8 weeks after harvest. It is very fruity with very little tannin. Nouveau typically offers an array of fruit flavors such as raspberry, strawberry, grape and fig. It is so fruity that many people prefer to serve it chilled.
Pinot Noir is the other red varietal that goes beautifully with the Thanksgiving meal. But be sure to serve a “Burgundian” styled vintage. Heavier California varietals tend to be fuller bodied and robust. What works best is a red Burgundy from France, or a light bodied Pinot Noir from the Willamette Valley, Oregon, or Marlborough, New Zealand.
Here are a couple of recommendations.
Argyle Pinot Noir Willamette Valley 2018 $19.99
A medium ruby-colored wine with an enticing bouquet of toast, cinnamon, rose petal, cherry, and cranberry. Sweet and seamless on the palate, has a bit of structure and excellent concentration. Fermented entirely in small, 1.5 ton lots and plunged by hand, Argyle Pinot Noir is blended for purity and focus.
This vintage balances red and dark fruit flavors with savory spice and delicate floral notes with the classic Argyle silky texture and persistent length.
Debeaune Beaujolais Nouveau 2019 $9.99
Bursting with fresh berry notes, this delicious quaffer is fresh, easy-drinking and designed for fun. One of the benefits of Nouveau is that it’s always easy on the budget. There is no reason to spend a lot of money on it.
Warning: When purchasing any Beaujolais Nouveau be sure that you’re getting the 2019 vintage. Remember, this wine is best consumed when it is very young. Some unscrupulous retailers will put the leftover bottles from the prior year’s vintage on the shelves before offering the most recent.
For Happy Pairing – Pick a Lush White
It’s not a bad idea to select a white wine that focuses on ripe, rich fruit flavors. A dry Riesling is a good choice. Other great selections include Viognier, Chenin Blanc and my personal favorite… Pinot Gris.
Pinot Gris is the same grape used to produce Pinot Grigio in Italy. However, when cultivated in other terroir the flavor profiles are dramatically different. Please, do not confuse Pinot Grigio here with Pinot Gris. You could be very disappointed.
Now, white wines that put an emphasis on ripeness are described as having a deep core of fruit. The wines are not sweet. But they provide a wonderful richness that is plump and jammy, which is a perfect match for roasted turkey.
More suggestions:
Maysara Pinot Gris Arsheen McMinnville 2018 $19.99
Created by the talented female winemaker, Tahmiene Momtazai the wine’s tropical nose fuses hints of passion fruit and pineapple with spicy undertones. A fleshy, creamy honey glazed mouth feel with notes of pear, citrus and mango leads to a crisp, clean finish.
The Bunkhouse Semillon 2018 $19.99
This may be my favorite white wine discovery for 2019. The Bunkhouse Semillon embodies everything I like in a white wine. From the acclaimed Hunter Valley producer Brokenwood, The Bunkhouse perfectly encapsulates the unique Aussie style.
Crisp and light-bodied with a fragrant nose of lemon-lime and honeysuckle. The palate is dominated by citrus, including lemongrass and lime juice. The combination of flavors pairs well with any seafood or chicken dish, crisp salad or spicy Asian stir-fry.
Trimbach Alsatian Riesling 2018 $18.99
A spicy nose that has a fresh edge of lemon and grapefruit pith, as well as some flinty nuances. The palate has a very lemony and dry feel. Nice, crisp finish.”
Let It Be Pink
Finally, if no red or white mentioned so far pleases you… why not go pink? Rosé is one of the top selling varietals of 2019 and it will go very nicely with your holiday fare.
Try this one:
Olema Côtes de Provence Rosé 2018 $16.99
A bright and fresh rosé with sliced orange peel and strawberry. Hint of rose petal. Medium to full body, layered and very pretty. Refreshing, goes beautifully with fresh seafood including salmon, poultry, salads and most any dish with a light cream sauce.
So now you are armed with the correct information to go out and purchase the wine that will make you and your guests happy. All of the recommended wines are currently available in our market – but the prices are estimated. If you can’t find any of those mentioned, pick a varietal and ask you favorite wine professional for her recommendation. If you follow our advice and shop at a wine retail venue there’s sure to be a knowledgeable professional handy.
Happy Thanksgiving!
With that we wish you all a very happy, and healthy Thanksgiving filled with friends, family and fun.
Cheers!