Four Wine Styles for Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving Day always proves tricky when it comes to proper wine pairing. First of all, the traditional feast presents a conundrum of flavors and textures that we do not generally associate with wine. Then one must consider the plethora of palates sitting at the same table. This is a day, after all, that those who do not generally en vibe will endeavor to have a glass to celebrate the blessings we have been bestowed.

Given the potential pit falls, I will offer up some suggestions for those of you hosting dinner and especially for those of you who are guests. Wine is a proper contribution to the dinner.

I have broken this list into types of wine and offered a few suggestions with in each category. Furthermore, I will offer you winery suggestions.

1. A semi-dry wine - This will be the go to for those who do not typically drink wine. These wines include Riesling, Gewurtztraminer, or (dare I say it) White Zinfandel. You may wish to have a wine in this style available as an option for dessert as well. In that case, I would recommend Moscato d'Asti. It's fizzy and works well as both aperitif and accompaniment to pumpkin pie.

Available offerings include:

Chateau St .Michelle Riesling (they offed a dry Riesling that works very well with Thanksgiving dinner)

Alexander Valley Vineyards Gewurtztramier

Trimbach Gewurtzraminer from Alsace France

Go Local with Wedding Oak Winery's Bridal Bliss. It's a delightful frizzante wine made from Muscat Canelli. web site: www.weddingoakwinery.com

2. A dry white wine - Chardonnay is the first and easiest choice, but the heavy buttery ones can be a bit overbearing on your meal. Stick to Chardonnay from Russian River Valley or Santa Lucia Highlands for easier styled Chardonnay from California, or go White Burgundy. Other varieties to chose from are Pinot Gris for a light wine or Roussanne for one with a bit more body.

Available offerings include:

Martin Ray Russia River Valley Chardonnay

Loius LaTour Pouiily Fuisse

King Estate Pinot Gris from Oregon

Go Local with Bending Branch Comfortage which is Roussanne or try their Semmillion-Chardonnay blend. web site: www.bendingbranchwinery.com

3. An easy red: Pinot Noir is the first to come to mind. The red cherry flavors and earthness of Pinot Noir blend well with the cranberries and baking spices on the table. You may wish to try a Gamay. This would be Beaujolais, Nouveaux or Grand Cru. Read older blog posts for the skinny on those.

Sangiovese also falls into this category. It is light enough not to overpower but satisfying enough for the red drinkers among us.

Available offerings include:

Dutton Ranch Pinot Noir

Cambria Julia's Vineyard Pinot Noir

Georges duBoeuf Beaujolais

Go Local with Duchman Winery's Sangiovese web site: www.duchmanwinery.com

4. A big red: A big red wine satisfies like nothing else. Those are easy to buy. They are everywhere. For Thanksiving though try a Zinfnadel or Syrah. Those varieties offer notes that work with Thanksgiving Da flavors. Another option is a blend. Blended wines are always appealing.

Available offerings include:

Ridge Paso Robles Zinfandel

Michael David 7 Deadly Zins

Shafer Relentless Syrah

Go Local with Calais La Cuvee D'Elme - a Bordeaux Blend grown and made in Texas. You have to go to the winery to get but it is well worth the trip. web site: www.calaiswinery.com

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