Wednesday, November 18, 2009

Thanksgiving Wines



There is a common misconception that only white wines should be had with poultry, including your Thanksgiving turkey. It used to be commonplace to pair white wines with lighter meats (chicken, turkey, pork, etc.) and red wines only with red meat (lamb, beef, etc.) However, we now teach you to pair lighter fare with lighter-bodied wines and vice versa. This means that some lighter red wines are often appropriate with lighter fare and INappropriate with red meats. So, whether you are having Thanksgiving dinner at your home, or visiting family and bringing wine as a gift, I will guide you on how to have a fantastic array of wines for your spread!

It is important to have a variety of wines for your guests. Six bottles of wine will comfortably serve 16 around guests, unless they are heavy drinkers. Here are my picks for a all types of wine drinkers...

Muscat or Riesling- These wines are easy to drink, even for those who are not wineaux like myself. Look for a quality wine that has been pressed, not crushed. Fragrances like peach and tropical fruits are usually a crowd-pleaser. The Albion 2008 Muscat pairs well with Chinese food, scalloped potatoes, pumpkin pie or brie cheese.

Chardonnay- You can go oaked or unoaked here, whichever you prefer. For a "buttery" Chardonnay you may look for one that has also undergone malo-lactic fermentation. However, a bright and crisp Chardonnay is sure to be a winner across the board. For a great pairing with Baked Ham, try the SunFish 2008 Chardonnay.

White Meritage- (pronounced like "heritage") is a high-quality Bordeaux-style blend that is a top-of-the-line white wine that many across the board will enjoy... Even your red-wine drinkers. The 2008 De Beaumont Cellars White Meritage from Alexander Valley can be enjoyed with poultry dishes, potato pancakes and cream cheese. A great "turkey wine" for those who prefer white wine.

Pinot Noir or Beaujolais- Make sure you find a medium-bodied wine in this varietal for Thanksgiving. Look for a description that says silky, smooth, or soft tannins for this pairing. A common fruit aroma may be raspberry, but these wines will often include some earthy aromas as well. The 2008 Sunfish Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir has layers of vanilla, raspberry and earth with delicate hints of leather, licorice and spice to be enjoyed with Beef Bourgogne, mushroom dishes, roasted turkey or Morbier cheese.

Cabernet Sauvignon or Red Meritage- Look for a medium to full-bodied wine for your red wine drinkers. Typical fruit fragrances may include plum, blackberry or black cherry and oak aging may add earthy fragrances like leather, oak, or vanilla. Choose a combination that sounds good to you. My suggestion is the 2007 De Beaumont Cellars Alexander Valley Red Meritage with aromas of plum, vanilla and sandalwood with hints of clove and cinnamon. Remember, a Meritage wine is a Bordeaux-style blend and this one contains 60% Cabernet Sauvignon. Enjoy this wine with standing rib roast, mashed potatoes and gravy, cream of mushroom soup and Camembert cheese.

Late Harvest Dessert Wine- This wine is to be served in about 2 ounce pours. Typically very high in alcohol content, it will taste more like a liqueur than a wine. Look for flavors of butterscotch, honey, caramel, cinnamon and nutmeg. The Ceres Late Harvest Napa Valley Dessert Wine is a great selection to enjoy with your pecan pie.

Happy Thanksgiving! Please see www.BrightEyesWine.com for more info and broader descriptions on these specific wines. Thanksgiving case special includes a few of these that have been suggested! Don't forget to sign up for the newsletter while you're there.