Domestic, International Wines Make Easy Pairing Choices for Thanksgiving Dinner
The cool thing about the traditional Thanksgiving dinner is that it’s so easy to pair with a number of different wines. Red, white, Rose…you’re virtually guaranteed to find something someone likes with their turkey, stuffing and potatoes and gravy.
Here are a few choices for you to consider:
Les Dauphins Cotes du Rhone Reserve Blanc (about $12) – This unique blend of White Grenache, Marsanne, Clairette, and Viognier is an understated delight. Lovely aromas of field flowers and meadow grasses start you off, with a touch of citrus and stone fruit flavors. The finish suggests lemon zest with a bit of roundness, and lingers well after the first sip.
Les Dauphins Cotes du Rhone Reserve Rose (about $12) – This lighter style Rose features a blend of Grenache, Cinsault, and Syrah grapes. Fresh strawberry, raspberry and cherry flavors fill the glass, with a crisp finish that will contrast nicely with creamy sauces and that juicy slice of dark-meat turkey.
Durant Vineyards 2014 Raven Chardonnay (about $28) – Although a buttery, oaky Chardonnay should pair nicely with turkey or chicken, here’s an alternative from the Dundee Hills, Oregon winery that offers a refreshing change. It’s packed with citrus fruits, along with an underlying note of slate and minerality and brisk acidity to top things off. It all adds up to an excellent food wine that just might make you think you’re tasting a Sauvignon Blanc.
The Dreaming Tree Wines 2015 Pinot Noir & 2016 Sauvignon Blanc (about $15 each) – Here are a couple of California wines that are tasty, affordable, and should pair well with a Thanksgiving dinner. The key to both wines is crisp acidity on the finish, which cuts through the flavors of the food and allows you to taste both the food and the wine. The Pinot offers fruit-forward black cherry flavors with a slightly edgy finish and a touch of toasty hazelnut; while the Sauvignon Blanc features nuances of tropical fruits to begin, followed by a brisk, clean finish with citrus, pineapple, and green apple.
Lost River Winery 2014 Barbera (about $27) – There’s absolutely no reason why you can’t serve a Washington red wine with your turkey dinner. Just don’t go with something too heavy-handed and overly tannic and you’re set. This current release from winemaker John Morgan, sourced from the Horse Heaven Hills AVA, is another stunning effort. It’s filled with generous red fruits of cherry, plum, and currant, a good backbone of acidity, and a lengthy finish with gentle tannins. Delicious and highly recommended.