Thanksgiving is hands down my favourite holiday. It's all about gathering for a decadent feast with family, close friends and the inevitable but welcome orphan. What else is necessary but wine?
Even if company is few, I always crack at least a couple of bottles. (Any dregs are a bonus and can be polished off with leftovers the next day.) You can hedge your bets by serving a white and a red to increase your chances of pleasing everyone's palates. Just don't fret too much about finding the 'perfect' match.
Side dishes like sweet yams, bitter Brussels sprouts and tart cranberry sauce call for easy-going, food-friendly wines that can handle the delicious onslaught of flavours. Gëwurztraminer has become the go-to Thanksgiving wine but there's plenty to explore beyond this. Aromatic fruity whites such as riesling, viognier, albariño, torrontès and pinot gris have all graced my table.
For reds, I gravitate toward fruit forward wines with soft, light tannin and lively acidity. The latter is key for cleansing the palate between bitesand I promise it'll help you eat more. Pinot noir is a classic, beaujolais is always welcome and valpolicalla is likely the direction I'll be going, but rioja and grenache-based wines (think Côtes-du-Rhône) also work well.
This Thanksgiving I'll be counting my many blessingsin Italy. Though dinner will be turkey-less, there's sure to be plenty of wine. As for my recommendations below, all will shine with turkey and its traditional trimmings. But for those of you who'll also be celebrating with less conventional fare, I've included additional pairings.
2011 Heitlinger, ‘Smooth Leaf’ Pinot Blanc, Baden, Germany $17.99 BC Liquor Stores
Succulent Asian pear, peach and lemon peel with a steely backboneguaranteed to refresh the palate. Can also take on pork and white fish.
2013 José Maria da Fonseca, ‘Colecção Privada’ Moscatel Roxo Rosé, Setúbal Península, Portugal $20.99 BC Liquor Stores
Don't let the gorgeous aromas of orange blossomand rose petalfool you; this is definitely dry. Flavours of musk melon and pink grapefruit pithround out the palate. Be sure to try with Asian cuisine too!
2011 Dubeouf, Jean Ernest Desombes, Morgon AOC, France $21.99
Light on its feet and extremely gulpable, this Beaujolais is simply a pleasure to drink. It offers one tasty swig of mineral and red currant after another. Ham is a great alternative pairing.
2010 Remelluri, 'Lindes de Remelluri' Rioja DOCa, Spain $29.99
Pure black raspberry and cherry with an intriguing subtle earthiness and mouth caressing tannin. Concentrated yet fresh and vibrant. Will stand up equally well to lamb.
2011 Haywire, 'Canyonview' Pinot Noir, Okanagan Valley BC VQA $35-40 winery direct and private wine stores
Homegrown wine is always appropriate when giving thanks. Here, crunchy red cherries and strawberries are punctuated by cinnamon and clove. Go uber-local and serve salmon
