Thanksgiving wines
11-24-2009, 09:13 PM
As sommelier to DBN I feel it is my duty to ask what wine everyone is drinking along with their turkey this Thanksgiving and to offer some suggestions.
I will be drinking a Kabenit level Riesling along with a Chiroubles Beaujolais (not nouveau). They should be available almost everywhere. The Riesling is not sweet like most, that is how I like them. Riesling is the classic pairing with Thanksgiving dinner. One thing to keep in mind when buying riesling; the lower the alcohol level the sweeter the wine. There is a lot of information on most riesling labels, especially if you are looking at a German riesling. Just keep it simple; sweet=low alcohol, dry=higher alcohol. Rieslings are generally not heavy alcohol wines and it is hard to find one that will exceed 13% (same with the beaujolais' below).
The beaujolais should be available everywhere this time of year, after all it is beaujolais season. Don't get sucked into buying beaujolais nouveau. That stuff is a step above flavored water. It is not made from the best grapes or from the best regains. If you are going to drink a beaujolais make sure you are drinking a CRU which will have a region listed as part of the label (the French) and you will be happy. Beaujolais is very food friendly but some may be too big for turkey. That is why I suggested Chiroubles which should go with turkey and the fixings very well.
You should easily be able to find both wines for around $20, the beaujolais may be a little bit more. A CA Zin would also be a good bet or a rosé from the southern rhone.
I will be drinking a Kabenit level Riesling along with a Chiroubles Beaujolais (not nouveau). They should be available almost everywhere. The Riesling is not sweet like most, that is how I like them. Riesling is the classic pairing with Thanksgiving dinner. One thing to keep in mind when buying riesling; the lower the alcohol level the sweeter the wine. There is a lot of information on most riesling labels, especially if you are looking at a German riesling. Just keep it simple; sweet=low alcohol, dry=higher alcohol. Rieslings are generally not heavy alcohol wines and it is hard to find one that will exceed 13% (same with the beaujolais' below).
The beaujolais should be available everywhere this time of year, after all it is beaujolais season. Don't get sucked into buying beaujolais nouveau. That stuff is a step above flavored water. It is not made from the best grapes or from the best regains. If you are going to drink a beaujolais make sure you are drinking a CRU which will have a region listed as part of the label (the French) and you will be happy. Beaujolais is very food friendly but some may be too big for turkey. That is why I suggested Chiroubles which should go with turkey and the fixings very well.
You should easily be able to find both wines for around $20, the beaujolais may be a little bit more. A CA Zin would also be a good bet or a rosé from the southern rhone.
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