Give Thanks & Grab a Glass
Thanksgiving is upon us, and I am excited for a traditional one this year! Sometimes, I feel rebellious in the kitchen, but this year, we are going for the tried-and-true standards with a focus on the element that brings all those flavors to life—the wine!
Turkey and gravy with shallots, wine, sage, and butter, sweet potatoes Anna, roasted Brussels with speck and pine nuts, stuffing loaded with chestnuts and herbs, and pearl onions, of course! These and other delights will be on my table, and likely a similar feast will be laid upon yours. The meal is dominated by simple flavors that are given life by rich sauces (umami), salt, and fat. Wine loves these elements!
This is a meal that allows the wine to shine, so take a little time to consider which wines you want to highlight. These are my suggestions for a holiday that is elevated with a little wine and far more interesting with lots of it!
To begin with, get out and go for a walk first thing, or do the Turkey Trot if you have the energy for it. You will feel better for it and will be guilt free when you pop open those bubbles while you cook.
Whie prepping and cooking, I like to share some light bubbles to stay hydrated and refreshed. It also help not sweat those little snafus that are bound to happen. Stay calm, and pop open a bottle of bubbles.
Le Berceau, Blanquette de Limoux, where they claim the discovery of sparkling wine. This super value wine will truly surprise you with its elegance and quality! Fresh, crisp, apple, pear, and a little citrus, and all with soft and lively bubbles!
If you are like me, guests will start to show up while I am still cooking. Put out some cheese and crackers, go light with fresh goat cheese with a light fruit spread and Rustic Bakery Flatbread Bites or Toketti, they are thin and will not fill people up. The Berceau will go nicely if you have enough to share! Otherwise, break open a light, fresh white with loads of acidity to keep palates clean and ready for supper.
2021 Stadlmann, Gruner Veltliner will serve perfectly with subtle stone fruits, fresh citrus and ocean salinity. This wine will pair nicely with any apps, particularly shellfish or stuffed mushrooms. If you want something a bit racier in acidity, grab the 2020 Chateau L’Oiseliniere Muscadet, which has a rising acidity with very light bodied green fruits, laser sharp acidity, and loads of minerality. This is for those who like a very dry white, and it is ideal for keeping the palate fresh.
For dinner, you want to go fruit, low tannin wines with good acidity. That is why Beaujolais is such a wonderful choice, but there are so many good options. Here are a few that we will have open to try through the weekend.
2021 Teutonic Riesling Pear Blossom is a favorite for Turkey Day with soft, ripe stone fruits, a pinch of exotic fruit and melon with bright fresh citrus on the finish. The texture is smooth, and the acidity cleanses the palate for the next bite! If you have not tried Riesling with your turkey, this is a must and Barnaby’s wine is a great introduction to the noble grape.
2021 Gautheron Chablis is a 100% French Chardonnay without oak. Unoaked Chardonnay is better suited for turkey, as you want to avoid the tannins that oak contributes to wine. I am not opposed to that in other situations, by the way, but just not at this table. This wine is stunning, smooth, fresh and still weighty, full fruit—apples, pears, and melon, but also a little round and fleshy, balanced by acidity and minerals. Sound like a unicorn? It is!
2020 Romuald Petit Chrioubles satisfies the Beaujolais requirement of Thanksgiving. It truly is the perfect red for most traditional Thanksgiving meals. It is fruit, fresh, light. Could be served with a chill—and mine will! I love the berry notes with a touch of mushroom and earthy aromatics. The wine is more compelling the Nouveaus that still dominate the marketing world. It is aged in oak for a short period of time before bottling, to give it texture and mouth feel. It is elegant and sophisticated beyond its modest price point.
2019 Jouclary Tradition is a bottle that suits almost any meal, and its value price point makes it ideal for a big table of folks enjoying themselves! Yes, sometimes budget friendly is what we need, but even better when the wine is delicious. Cabernet Franc, Syrah, Grenache and Merlot come together in this bold flavored red with blackberry and plum notes, great acidity and backbone, and a long lingering finish. Yes, Bordeaux marries Rhone, and the result is a wine that pleases all at a very affordable sticker!
2016 Sinskey POV will give you a reason to splurge. Also Cabernet Franc, which I think handles itself better with Turkey and the fixings, and a little Merlot, this wine has the brightness and the roundness that I want with my turkey dinner. This figs, blackberries, plum, but also dusty thyme, mushroom, and tobacco, and they come together with finesse and delightful minerality. The Merlot gives it a fleshiness that will make any turkey seem juicy!