This week I thought it would be appropriate to tackle one of the most-asked wine-and-food questions posed to the well-known wine author Kevin Zraly throughout the year: “What’s your favorite wine for Thanksgiving?” In his popular wine book, Windows on the World Complete Wine Course, Kevin states that matching the wine with the turkey is not the problem. “It’s the sweet potatoes, cranberry, butternut squash, and stuffing that can create havoc with the wine.” Kevin goes on to say that he has come up with a list of “user-friendly wines that go with virtually any dish because they are light to medium-bodied and they have ample fruit and acidity.”
Listed below are my wine selections for Thanksgiving dinner, taking into account Kevin’s “user-friendly” wine categories. My two additions to Kevin’s categories are Gewurztraminer and Zinfandel, as they are traditional, and I like them both. I have tried to select wines that are plentiful and easier to find. Happy Thanksgiving! Cheers – Ken.
White Wines:
2007 Dr. Loosen Riesling “Dr. L QbA”(Mosel-Saar-Ruwer, Germany), $12.
My Comments: This appealing wine finished in 4th place in our May blind tasting of Rieslings. It is a medium-bodied wine that is lively, crisp, and slightly sweet. The wine displays lime-like flavors with a touch of lemon-infused iced tea. It might be a nice option at either the beginning or closing of the Thanksgiving dinner.
2007 Elk Cove Vineyards Pinot Gris (Willamette Valley, Oregon), $19.
My Comments:Kevin Zraly has Pinot Gris on his list. This is my favorite Pinot Gris for 2008. It is a medium-bodied wine that is balanced, and slightly creamy, with nicely integrated acidity. It’s quite food-friendly.
2008 Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc (Marlborough, New Zealand), $19.
My Comments:I like the 2008 vintage even more than the highly acclaimed 2007 Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc. The 2008 is a light-bodied wine that is well-balanced, clean, and displays tasty lime flavors. It is a very food-friendly wine, and would pair nicely with many dishes on your Thanksgiving table.
2007 Mulderbosch Sauvignon Blanc (Stellenbosch, South Africa), $21.
My Comments:You could mistake this gem for a Sancerre. It is nicely balanced and crisp, and it displays slightly tart key-lime-pie flavors with lots of minerality. It would be a versatile option for your Thanksgiving table.
2006 Marc Kreydenweiss Gewürztraminer “Kritt Les Charmes” (Alsace, France), $37.
My Comments:As many of you know, I am a big fan of Gewürztraminer. I am also very picky about how it is made. This is my favorite Gewürztraminer so far this year. I could not stop asking for more! If you can find this gem, it will be perfect with turkey.
Red Wines:
2006 Georges Duboeuf French – Beaujolais “Morgon – Flower Label” (Beaujolais, France), $12.
My Comments:I have been very impressed with the Cru level of Duboeuf’s Beaujolais over the last year or so. This medium-bodied wine is nicely balanced, has good acidity, and has juicy red cherry flavors. It should match nicely with the cranberry and the stuffing.
2006 J. Lohr Merlot “Los Osos” (Paso Robles, CA), $15.
My Comments:J. Lohr is on a roll. This is the second Merlot vintage in a row that we have recommended. This bargain wine finished in 4th place in our July Merlot blind tasting. The KWG Tasting Panel thought this wine would pair well with several different foods. It should be perfect for your turkey dinner.
2005 Querciabella “Chianti Classico” (Tuscany, Italy), $29.
My Comments: This is one of the best Chiantis I have tried this year. It is nicely balanced and has very enjoyable cherry flavors. This food-friendly wine should work quite nicely with your holiday meal.
2005 Carol Shelton Zinfandel “Maple Vineyard” (Dry Creek Valley, CA), $33.
My Comments:This Zin is a wine that Zin lovers dream of! It is full-bodied, smooth, and well-balanced, with nicely integrated acidity. If you have Zin at your Thanksgiving table traditionally, I can’t think of a better option.
2006 Siduri Pinot Noir “Gary’s Vineyard” (Santa Lucia Highlands, CA), $49.
My Comments:I tried many Siduri Pinots during my recent visit to California, and this one was my favorite. However, all of Adam Lee’s 2006 Pinots are worthy of your Thanksgiving table. If you can’t find this gem, click here for the list of other KWG recommended Siduri offerings.
Sparkling Wine:
Non Vintage Gloria “Blanc de Noirs Rosé” (Sonoma County, CA), $20.
My Comments:Kevin Zraly listed Champagne and Sparkling Wine as one of the user-friendly wine categories. It’s also festive! In case you missed it, this offering from Gloria Ferrer won our recent Sparkling Wine blind tasting. It is also a bargain.