Thanksgiving wine recommendations?
Planning a traditional type Thanksgiving dinner for 6-8 people and would like some advice on a decent white wine to serve. The majority of guests are not red wine fans so most of the ideas I see in the press (which are for red wines) will not work. Have tried riesling on this crowd in the past, based on the concept that it goes well with food, but they found it too sweet. So, any ideas for something at $20 per bottle or cheaper?
rjka
Nov 02, 2000 10:32AM
This is tricky, because it really is a matter of taste! I would recommend Vouvray, which is 100% chenin blanc. It comes from the Loire Valley, like Sancerre and Muscadet, but I like it better than most Muscadet I have had and it's much cheaper than the Sancerre. It's not super dry, and has a nice clean flavor with some body to it, so it could stand up to a Thanksgiving repast. I even like the demi-sec, which is sweet, and I don't tend to like sweet wines!
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My favorite type of Chenin Blanc is Savennieres. It has a multi tiered flavor and it's dry. I love Domaine Des Baumard 1996. Garnet and Morrell usually carry it. At Morrells Wine Bar you can try a glass.
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My favorite (which would be good for turkey, I think) was a product of Napa Ridge (if memory serves) called "Le Petit Vigne." It was a Napa Valley wine. The chenin blanc was blended with a touch of viognier. A few years ago I found it on sale and picked up a case and loved it. Who knows, by now they've probably budded all the vines over to Merlot.
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For a Thanksgiving white wine, I'd recommend an Alsatian Pinot Gris or Pinot Blanc, with Trimbach putting out ever-reliable and affordable examples of both. But, even for non-red-wine-drinkers, my first choice for Turkey Day is Beaujoulais Nouveau, which is conveniently released on the third Thursday of November and offers a fruity, easy to enjoy red wine that goes well with virtually everything on a traditional Thanksgiving table .
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If you can find it, try a Viognier from Virginia. This unusual grape is being cultivated with great success in the Old Dominion (now home to over 60 wineries!!).
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Look no further than upstate: where several DRY reislings will likely meet your needs. There are also seyval, seyval blanc, and a pleasantly surprising seyval/chardonnay blend (Chateau Lafayette Reneau) that has plenty of fruit, good dryness, and solid body (this from a non-chardonnay person). And you'll be able to select some v. fine choices for 3/4 of your ceiling. Salut!
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What kind of Reisling did you have in the past? I'll admit that most of them are quite sweet, but if you look for Kabinett, Trocken or Halb-Trocken (which are the drier types) Reislings you may have more luck. If you are in Manhatten, I recommend Nancy's Wines for Food at 313 Columbus Ave. @ 75th St. Interesting website (link below) includes a food pairing guide.
Link: http://www.nancyswines.com
Image: http://www.nancyswines.com/Recipes/im...
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Thanks for the advice. Actually I can't remember what Riesling it was since it was 2 years ago. I live in Fairfield Cty CT, but I work in NY so maybe I can get to the store you recommended.
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Gerwurztraminer is my favorite white for
the traditional Thanksgiving meal. We
fry the turkey after it has been sitting in
a spicy dry rub for 12 hours. Gerwurztraminer
is delicious with spicy foods. The ones from
California are more affordable than the
ones from Alsace, which I prefer.
If you can afford $20/bottle
you will probably be able to find a really
tasty Alsacian. (Enjoy!)
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Personally, Gewurztraminer is one of my very favorite wines, but the other guest will find it too sweet and we are definitely not doing a spicy turkey.
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If you go for the fine alsatian rieslings, gewurz and pinot blanc, I believe they are generally vinified bone dry as opposed to the German (or perhaps California) specimens. I tend to think a very slightly or implicitly sweet but acidic white (like say a rhine spatlese, one of the Konstantin Frank rieslings or vouvray) make a much more satisfying match with the traditional (and often sweet) thanksgiving dishes than a very dry wine, notwithstanding some people's stated prejudices.
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Find a gewurztraminer or reisling by Nalle (1997, 1998)or Navarro or Lazy Creek. Not sweet, but dry and tasty.
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Try Tavel rose. not heavy -not sweet - overall a good match for turkey
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If you can't make it into the city, you might try heading up to Fairgrounds Wine (top of route 7 before the Danbury Mall). They have an interesting selection, especially for being out of the city, and decent prices. Both Ben & George in the wine department are really knowledgable and have not steered me wrong yet. Also, this weekend in Danbury at the WestConn campus, Nutmeg Wines is having a huge holiday wine tasting from 3-7pm with music and food. Might be an opportunity to taste some options. Good luck!
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