Traditional Thanksgiving Wine Pairings

Assuming you are planning a traditional Thanksgiving meal, i.e., turkey, then there is no shortage of both red, white, rose and sparkling
wines that will be a perfect accompaniment to your holiday feast. I have listed a selection of wines at a variety of price points in each
category that is best suited to this holiday meal. I have also listed some aperitif and after-dinner suggestions.

The wines priced below $20 are typically recommendations from the Reverse Wine Snob (a site that I often browse for recommendations of
good quality wines at lower prices). While there are plenty of recommendations in the higher-priced categories, I have tried to limit this list to more
reasonably-priced wines considering that you may be serving a larger number of guests.

All of the recommendations are based on research, ratings from professionals and my own tastings.

The wines denoted with a are among my own personal favorites.

Red
Red Zinfandel This is the #1 All-American Thanksgiving wine choice. It is the ideal turkey pairing wine because its lower tannin helps
moisten even the driest turkey. It amplifies spices such as clove and cinnamon, has a touch of smokiness and is typically a bold and rich
wine (high alcohol content) which works especially well with dark meat turkey.

A few recommendations are: 2013 Cline Cellars Lodi Zinfandel - $11

2011 Rosenblum Cellars Carlas Zinfandel - $18
2014 Frogs Leap Zinfandel - $25
2014 Bedrock Wine Old Vine Zinfandel - $25
2014 Hartford Russian River Valley Zinfandel - $35 - *15.7% abv

Pinot Noir This works equally well with light and dark turkey meat. Its red fruit and spice flavors accentuate cranberries, and it is also
perfect with classic holiday side dishes such as mashed potatoes and casseroles.

A few recommendations are:
2013 90+ Cellars Monterrey Pinot Noir - $11
2010 90+ Cellars Reserve Lot 56 Russian River Valley Pinot Noir - $16
2013 Spindrift Cellars Williamette Valley Pinot Noir - $20
2013 Meiomi Oregon Pinot Noir - $20
2014 Greywacke Pinot Noir - $30
Cotes du Rhone / Rhone Blends This a good pairing with both light and dark meat turkey. The earthy quality accentuates the savory
turkey gravy, and the fig and/or dried berry flavors work well with stuffing.

A few recommendations are:
2015 Famille de Perrin Cites du Rhone Villages Rouge - $15
2013 Beckman Cuvee Le Bec Santa Ynez Rhone Bland - $17
2013 Guigal Cotes du Rhone - $19
2013 Guigal Crozes Hermitage - $25
2012 Vidal-Fleury Cotes du Rhone - $27

Sangiovese This will pair well with a moist turkey breast as well as with darker turkey meat. This red blend wine has the acid and fruit
to complement the cranberries and the body to marry well with potato dishes. Sangiovese is usually a good choice to serve before you
start eating and it will also have enough structure to work with the stuffing, sweet potatoes, maple carrots, etc.

A few recommendations are:
2011 Monte Antico Toscana Rosso Super - $13
2011 Capezzana Barco Reale Di Carmignano - $15
2011 Nipozzano Vecchie Viti Chianti Rufina Reserva - $23
2008 Poliziano Vino Nobile di Montepuilciano - $28
2013 Vino Nobile di Montepulciano - $29 *This is 100% Sangiovese grapes

Amarone della Valpolicella This can be an amazing pairing with turkey. Its moderate acidity acts as a palate cleanser which is ideal
with rich meats (dark turkey) and gravies, and the dried fruit aromas (fig, raisin, dried cherry) have a typical harvest flavor. This is
expensive wine (typically difficult to find a good one for under $40) and may not be a good choice if you are budget-conscious and/or
serving a large group.

A few recommendations are: 2010 Conte Di Bregonoz Amarone della Valpolicella - $18
2014 Rinforzo Salento Primitivo - $29
2011 Tenuta Novare Amarone- $45
2011 Tedeschi Amarone della Valpolicella $54 -*16% abv

Beaujolais / Brouilly Made with Gamay grapes, this wine is similar to Pinot Noir. It pairs very well with wild rice, squash and cranberries
and it will balance the sweetness of yams. It is lighter and less tannic than Pinot Noir and is better suited to white meat turkey.

A few recommendations are:
2009 Georges Duboeuf Morgon Domaine des Versauds Beaujolias - $18
2015 Coudert Cuvee Cristal Fleurie - $20
2011 Chateau de la Chaize Brouilly - $21 One of my all-time favorites!
2015 Chateau Thivin Cote de Brouilly - $23
2009 Savoye Vieilles Vignes Morgon Cote du Py - $30

White
Sancerre This is another wonderful choice with this traditional holiday meal. It will complement the traditional vegetable
accompaniments and act as palate cleanser to rich gravies and dark turkey meat.

A few recommendations are: 2015 Domaine de la Villaudiere Sancerre - $17

2009 Guy Sagat Domain de la Perrie Sancerre - $18
2015 Domaine Delaporte Chavignol Sancerre - $24
2015 Thomas Labaille Les Monts Damnes Sancerre Chavignol -$28
2013 Gerard Boulay Sancerre Chavignol - $30
Chardonnay This can be a good choice for the holiday meal as long as you avoid ones that are too oaky (all the recommendations are
ones that are not very oaky). Chardonnay is, in many ways, the white wine that is most like red wine (because it has more tannin than other
whites and riper fruit flavors making it stand up to richer foods). It works well with the flavors of turkey and stuffing and it complements
sweeter side dishes. It can be a nice lighter pairing with a heavy traditional holiday meal. If serving Chardonnay with the traditional
Thanksgiving meal, it should not be served too cold.

A few recommendations are: . 2009 Moro Bay Chardonnay - $12

2008 Clotilde Davenne Bourgogne Blanc Chardonnay - $17
2014 Raeburn Russian River Valley Chardonnay - $18
2014 Domaine Jean-Marc Brocard Chardonnay - $20
2012 Albert Bidrot Bourgogne Vielles Vignes Chardonnay - $22

Sauvignon Blanc This dry, light-bodied wine has flavors ranging from savory to fruity and because of its high intensity, it opens itself
up to a wide range of food pairings.

A few recommendations are: .
2016 Kingston Family Barrel Sauvignon Blanc - $15
2016 Sainte Marie des Crozes le Clandestin Sauvignon Blanc - $16
2010 Fournier Pere & Fils les Deux Caillox - $25
2016 Galerie Naissance Sauvignon Blanc - $30
2011 Domaine Vacheron Ssauvignon Banc - $34

Riesling This can be a good choice with a heavy holiday meal. It is an easy-drinking wine that pairs well with everything from appetizers
to sweet potatoes and cranberry relish to a glazed turkey. It is moderate in alcohol, has a high enough acidity to balance all the richness
and is very food-friendly. Choose one that is not overly sweet.

A few recommendations are: 2014 Erben Muller Burggraef Riesling - $14

2014 Hugel Riesling - $16
2013 Carl Graff Graacher Himmelreich Riesling Spatlese - $17
2013 Eroica Riesling - $29
2015 Domaine Zind Humbrecht Riesling - $29

Rose

Rose - Rose is rich enough texturally to stand up to turkeys dark meat, will act as a great palate cleanser and will also handle the
flavors of most side dishes. Even the richest rose will offer freshness and be light enough to cut through this typically heavy holiday
meal. Choose one that is dry, rich and acidic.

A few recommendations are:
2011 Paul Jaboulet et Fils Cotes du Rhone Rose - $12
2016 Chateau de Trinquevedel Rose - $17
2016 Bailly-Reverdy Sancerre Rose - $17
2011 Francis Ford Coppola Sofia Rose - $19
2013 Chateau dEsclans Cote de Provence Rose - $28
Sparkling Wine and Champagne
Sparkling Wine and Champagne These sparklers are not only a good idea for an aperitif or dessert. They are bold enough to pair
alongside dinner as they accentuate the fruits flavors in the side dishes and act as a palate cleanser to rich gravies.

A few recommendations are: Ballancin Conegliano Valdobbiadone Prosecco Superiore - $12

J. Laurent Brut Cremant de Limoux - $15
Bouvet Brut - $15 One of my all-time favorites!
La Marca Prosecco - $17
Roderer Estate Brut - $20
Nino Franco Vigneto della Riva di San Floriano Brut Superiore - $29
Canard- Duchene NV Cuvee Brut - $30
Nicolas Feuillatte Brut Reserve - $35
Taittinger La Francaise Brut NV - $35
Moutard Champagne Champ Persin Brut NV - $40
Veuve Clicguot Brut Yellow Label - $50

Aperitifs
Aperitifs The word aperitif comes from the Latin aperire which means to open. Aperitifs are generally easy on the stomach and are
meant to be sipped slowly. They are traditionally light, bitter and most often dry. They are meant to spark the appetite without
overwhelming the senses. A true aperitif has some flair, more flavor, more color and a bit more sophistication. An aperitif is different
from a cocktail in that it is generally not high-proof. The common distinction is that aperitifs give you a lift and cocktails give you a buzz.
They are common in all cultures and cover a very wide selection. You can drink them straight or mixed, for example with tonic, juice,
bitters or soda water. The following is a list of some of the more common ones that work well before a traditional holiday meal.

Campari Dubonnet
Ouzo Pastis
Dry Madeira Sherry
Lillet Vermouth
Pernod Ricard

After-Dinner Drinks
After-Dinner Drinks These post-meal drinks are often useful to help the digestive process and/or calm any calamities of wine and food.
They function like dessert with digestive properties. Like aperitifs, they are meant to be sipped and enjoyed either straight or mixed, for
example with coffee or milk. The following is a list of some of the more common after-dinner drinks that work well following a traditional
holiday meal.
Liqueurs sweetened liquors with a lower alcohol content, such as Chartreuse

Amari bittersweet Italian liqueurs; spicy and dark colored; should be enjoyed cold

Vermouth Crme de Menthe

Grappa Port
Brandy Grand Marnier
Kahlua Drambuie
 No matter what you drink

I hope that you have a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday

that is filled with much happiness and gratitude.

14 November 2017