Those Obligatory Holiday Recommendations
And my gratitude goes to you
Every year, wine writers recommend wines to pair with Thanksgiving dinner. I’m going to join the trend, although I haven’t tried these wines yet. It’ll be a surprise to learn how my pairings turn out.
Champagne: Ruinart is my favorite, but any French sparkling wine suits me. I recommend serving it as an aperitif. I prefer a French sparkling wine, whether from Champagne or a neighboring area, because they tend to be “yeastier.” Believe it or not, that’s preferable in Champagne, ensuring it stands up to food pairings.
Random tip: Champagne is delicious with grilled cheese sandwiches!
Gerard-Bertrand Orange Gold: I asked my wine seller for a natural wine and she handed me this bottle. I suspect it will find a place on my Thanksgiving table. This wine sparked my curiosity because of the natural “ancient” method in which it’s made. The distinctive orange color is due to its unique blend of six white varietals and fermentation in bunches, including stalks and skins. (~$25)
Mulderbosch Rosé of Cabernet Sauvignon: I haven’t had this rosé in a while, but its structure and depth is more than your average pink. It’s not common to find a rosé of Cabernet, so I look forward to tasting it. I expect it to be perfectly food friendly. (~$14)
Storypoint Chardonnay: Chardonnay isn’t making its way onto a lot of the Thanksgiving pairing lists, but the right chardonnay would complement several Thanksgiving dishes, including potatoes and white meat turkey. I don’t yet know if the Storypoint is the “right” Chardonnay for the meal, but there is only one way to find out! (~$15)
B-Side Pinot Noir: Pinot Noir is a fool-proof choice for Thanksgiving. This particular bottle is on my radar for its diverse mix of California vineyards, from Carneros to Petaluma, to a vineyard down near Mendocino. It’s aged in French Oak, so it won’t have a lot of heavy or smoky notes. (~$20)
Domaine de la Thalie Rully Bourgogne (100% Pinot Noir): Again, it’s hard to go wrong with Pinot Noir at Thanksgiving. This is a French option that has been reviewed as “elegant” with “fruity freshness.” That remains to be seen; however, I received it from my wine club and I love just about everything they send.
Some less traditional options:
Yes, there’s a Cosmopolitan cocktail shown in that photo. I recently read that a Cosmo is an enjoyable choice for Thanksgiving, and I’m willing to give it a shot.
If you’re having a less traditional dinner, perhaps with spice, I highly recommend a dry Riesling. Riesling almost always pairs nicely with spicy; the sweetness of the wine contrasts with the spiciness of the food. I almost always grab a Riesling when we have Indian food.
I don’t have a book to pair with these wines (although I have stacks to get through). Instead, I wanted to share what I’m grateful for. This Thanksgiving, I’m grateful for my dachshund, Ringo and my fiancé, Brandon. I’m also thankful that I have dedicated time to start writing again.
Mostly, though, I’m thankful for you, my readers. Starting this newsletter was a bit of an undertaking for me, and I certainly couldn’t do it without you. So thank you. And stick around … I’ve got a lot of wine notes and book reviews just waiting to be written.
Have a happy Thanksgiving week if you are in the US, and happy weekend to everyone else!
Cheers,
Michelle
xoxo