If you have a book on your wine reference shelf called “The Perfect Wines For Thanksgiving Dinner” you should probably burn it. If you check a dozen authoritative sources on what wine to serve on Thanksgiving, you’ll probably get a dozen answers, naming – in different combinations – every varietal, style, and appellation known to man. Amongst those answers though, one consistent truth comes through, which is that there IS no perfect wine for the traditional American Thanksgiving dinner. What wine could possibly be a perfect match for a dinner that features turkey, ham, cranberries, heavily herbed stuffing, potatoes with gravy, and the dreaded green bean casserole, baked yams with marshmallows, or aunt Marge’s legendary suspended fruit Jell-O? The most realistic answer to this question is: don’t select wines that will be lost in the riot. Loosen up a bit, drink what you LIKE to drink, and use common sense. And common sense in this case suggests wines that are lighter, and perhaps less complex. Which in our opinion suggests a broad variety of whites, especially a Riesling, Gewurztraminer, or even wines that you would typically reserve for dessert, like a Beeren Auslese (see below). And for reds, a Pinot Noir or maybe a nice Rhone (we have about 50). Another nice idea is to pick a lighter, not-too-dry sparkler, which can find its way through a variety of foods, and is a great palate cleanser. And of course don’t forget the versatile and fresh fruitiness of this year’s Beaujolais Nouveau, or for that matter any other Beaujolais. David, the store’s general manager, has selected a few good values below, but we have over 2500 wines on hand, so stop by the store or use the search box at the top of the page to help you ponder. But most of all, have an enjoyable Thanksgiving feast! Dave’s picks below.
 Lalla Gully Riesling 2007 $19.99/$9.99 |
A youthful pale straw color with green hues. Presents floral aromas, delivering subtle spicy peach and a distinctive lime citrus. A great aperitif for your Thanksgiving dinner table. Best enjoyed young but has the acidity and balance to age gracefully. |
 Harlow Ridge Pinot Noir 2009 $12.99/$8.99 |
Scarlet clarity in the glass. Aromas of black cherries an plum with just a hint of cedar smokiness. Nice fruit complexity of cherry, rhubarb, plum, and a hint of coffee and vanilla. Long balanced finish with soft tannins. An exceptional Pinot Noir for the price. |
 Ninth Island Pinot Noir 2003$13.99 |
Strawberry-red, brilliantly clear. Delivers lively fresh red berries: raspberries, strawberries, cherries, but with a light overlay of white pepper spice. Deepened aromatically by subtle acacia and orange peel. The palate is rich, soft and smooth; long finish with good acid and soft tannins. |
 Fritz Russian River Pinot Noir 2006 $27.99 |
A rich dark ruby in the glass. Floral, earthy and spicy aromas lead you to complex and nicely balanced rich black fruit, chewy dark berry, truffle, and spicy earthiness. Solid tannins in the background lead to a long and well-crafted finish. Will drink well now through 2012. |
 Deinhard Beerenauslese 2004 (375mL)$7.99 |
A rich, lemon-hued gold in the glass. Candied aromas of ripe apricot and honey. A piquant berry sweetness on the palate, with subtle lemon peel or citrus notes. The finish is long with a lot of finesse. Although typically considered a dessert wine, you may find yourself enjoying this throughout a Thanksgiving dinner. |