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FB's Wine Corner: The Thanksgiving Wine Thread
Posted on 11/20/24 at 2:34 pm
Posted on 11/20/24 at 2:34 pm
Suggestion 1: Avoid “big” wines that are heavily oaked, sugary, or have that “butter” taste, IE Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon or Napa Chardonnays. Cabernet in particular has way too many tannins.
The reason is that typically these wines will clash heavily with the foods that we serve on Thanksgiving. They are simply a bit too big, with very pronounced flavors that clash with a lot of the more subtle flavors of things like Turkey, Ham, yams, etc
For Red Wine, the two most classic pairings are Pinot Noir and Beaujolais.
My personal preference is Beaujolais. These are wines made from the Gamay grape from the region Beaujolais in France. They are really fun, fruity, lighter wines that. I also like that you can get these wines for a much better price on average than Pinot Noir. You can get the higher end Cru Beaujolais for like 30-40 dollars, but you don’t even need to do that. This is also when Beaujolais Nouveau comes out…we can discuss that below if that is your jam or you want to know more.
I think most people would say that Pinot Noir is “the” Thanksgiving wine. They are light while still being complex and interesting They are also a good compliment to turkey and some of the creamier dishes that are often served. The price point on them can get quite absurd when you’re looking at France, so look at Oregon instead, or Central California.
Some alternatives to these two would be Rhone Valley wines or Amarone, or some Zinfandels.
The reason is that typically these wines will clash heavily with the foods that we serve on Thanksgiving. They are simply a bit too big, with very pronounced flavors that clash with a lot of the more subtle flavors of things like Turkey, Ham, yams, etc
For Red Wine, the two most classic pairings are Pinot Noir and Beaujolais.
My personal preference is Beaujolais. These are wines made from the Gamay grape from the region Beaujolais in France. They are really fun, fruity, lighter wines that. I also like that you can get these wines for a much better price on average than Pinot Noir. You can get the higher end Cru Beaujolais for like 30-40 dollars, but you don’t even need to do that. This is also when Beaujolais Nouveau comes out…we can discuss that below if that is your jam or you want to know more.
I think most people would say that Pinot Noir is “the” Thanksgiving wine. They are light while still being complex and interesting They are also a good compliment to turkey and some of the creamier dishes that are often served. The price point on them can get quite absurd when you’re looking at France, so look at Oregon instead, or Central California.
Some alternatives to these two would be Rhone Valley wines or Amarone, or some Zinfandels.
This post was edited on 11/20/24 at 2:37 pm
Posted on 11/20/24 at 2:34 pm to Fun Bunch
For White Wine, I like Dry Rieslings (look for the word “Trocken” if its form Germany). To me they are perfect for all the things being served. The Finger Lakes in New York produce a ton of Dry Riesling and are a good price point, readily available etc. A lot of people want to only pick American Wines for Thanksgiving, and this is a good way to do it.
French Sauvignon Blanc from Sancerre, Pouilly-Fume, or Touraine would also work well. I would NOT do New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc as they are often very aromatic and a little too overpowering and distinct.
Unoaked Chardonnay, such as from Chablis, can also work well.
Last is the ultimate cheat code for all wine pairing: Champagne or Sparkling Wine. These pretty much go with anything, all of the time. It’s a great thing to serve while everyone is milling about and mingling before the feast, and it pretty much goes with anything you can serve. A fun alternative is the sparkling red wine Lambrusco. Most on the American market are sweet trash, but you can find some really fun dry ones (look for Secco on the label), and if it says a specific type of Lambrusco, like Lambrusco di Sorbara, this will likely indicate an increase in quality over generic Lambrusco. Semisecco is off-dry and Dolce will be sweet.
Suggestion 2: Keep it simple, don’t overspend or open up your really nice bottle. Uncle Frank doesn’t give a frick about your 2004 Chateau Musar, or that you just opened up a bottle of Krug. He doesn’t know the difference. And he doesn’t know what the frick Grauburgunder is. This is a marathon not a sprint, so stick to some classics and save your great bottle for yourself.
And last, the ultimate rule: Disregard all of my suggestions if you want and drink whatever the frick you want.
French Sauvignon Blanc from Sancerre, Pouilly-Fume, or Touraine would also work well. I would NOT do New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc as they are often very aromatic and a little too overpowering and distinct.
Unoaked Chardonnay, such as from Chablis, can also work well.
Last is the ultimate cheat code for all wine pairing: Champagne or Sparkling Wine. These pretty much go with anything, all of the time. It’s a great thing to serve while everyone is milling about and mingling before the feast, and it pretty much goes with anything you can serve. A fun alternative is the sparkling red wine Lambrusco. Most on the American market are sweet trash, but you can find some really fun dry ones (look for Secco on the label), and if it says a specific type of Lambrusco, like Lambrusco di Sorbara, this will likely indicate an increase in quality over generic Lambrusco. Semisecco is off-dry and Dolce will be sweet.
Suggestion 2: Keep it simple, don’t overspend or open up your really nice bottle. Uncle Frank doesn’t give a frick about your 2004 Chateau Musar, or that you just opened up a bottle of Krug. He doesn’t know the difference. And he doesn’t know what the frick Grauburgunder is. This is a marathon not a sprint, so stick to some classics and save your great bottle for yourself.
And last, the ultimate rule: Disregard all of my suggestions if you want and drink whatever the frick you want.
This post was edited on 11/20/24 at 2:36 pm
Posted on 11/20/24 at 3:35 pm to Fun Bunch
quote:
My personal preference is Beaujolais.
You have any suggestions for a Beaujolais in the $40 range? I've had a few different gamays in that range, but I couldn't tell you what they were. I just asked the owner of a local wine spot for a bottle of lighter red (this was for a summer outdoor sipper). I'll probably pick up a couple bottles in that range and bring a bottle of whiskey to Thanksgiving dinner this Saturday
Posted on 11/20/24 at 3:40 pm to Epic Cajun
off the top of my head, no.
But generally speaking, look for ones with a specific name of the Beaujolais appelation on them, like Morgon, Fleurie, Julienas, Moulin-a-Vent, etc. These are the Crus and you'll get a higher quality on average. If I recall correctly, Fleurie will be on the lighter side while Moulin will be on the fuller bodied. Could be wrong on that.
$40 is actually kinda on the pricey end, you can get many Crus for less then 40
Drink them chilled, and just ask your wine shop person.
Personally not a huge Beaujolais Nouveau Fan myself, but I understand why people like them. They are very cheap and easy drinking
But generally speaking, look for ones with a specific name of the Beaujolais appelation on them, like Morgon, Fleurie, Julienas, Moulin-a-Vent, etc. These are the Crus and you'll get a higher quality on average. If I recall correctly, Fleurie will be on the lighter side while Moulin will be on the fuller bodied. Could be wrong on that.
$40 is actually kinda on the pricey end, you can get many Crus for less then 40
Drink them chilled, and just ask your wine shop person.
Personally not a huge Beaujolais Nouveau Fan myself, but I understand why people like them. They are very cheap and easy drinking
This post was edited on 11/20/24 at 3:41 pm
Posted on 11/20/24 at 4:11 pm to Fun Bunch
quote:
Drink them chilled, and just ask your wine shop person.
I'll definitely do that, looks like they just had a Beaujolais tasting 5 days ago with a few of the Crus that you mentioned.
Posted on 11/20/24 at 5:02 pm to Fun Bunch
I love a good Burgundy or PNW Pinot Noir for thanksgiving.
Dry Reisling is one of my favorite pairings with sushi but it’s so good.
Dry Reisling is one of my favorite pairings with sushi but it’s so good.
Posted on 11/20/24 at 5:20 pm to Fun Bunch
quote:
Disregard all of my suggestions if you want and drink whatever the frick you want.
goosebumps
Posted on 11/20/24 at 6:10 pm to Fun Bunch
quote:
Independent?
Not sure what you’re asking
It’s Wild Child Wines here in Lafayette.
Posted on 11/20/24 at 6:28 pm to Epic Cajun
The Independent is a wine store in New Orleans they just had a Beaujolais class recently. 
Posted on 11/20/24 at 6:28 pm to Fun Bunch
quote:
Beaujolais Nouveau
We always like to have one bottle of this, just for the novelty of it. It’s usually toward the end of the day after all of the good wine.
Posted on 11/20/24 at 7:37 pm to Fun Bunch
We always do an Oregon or California Pinot.
Posted on 11/20/24 at 7:44 pm to Fun Bunch
We’ll crack a 1998 Brunello or a 2000 Chianti Riserva and go from there. But, that’s how we roll. 
This post was edited on 11/20/24 at 7:44 pm
Posted on 11/20/24 at 7:49 pm to Epic Cajun
Look for any imported by Kermit Lynch. Including but not limited to the Kermit launch bottled Morgon.
Posted on 11/20/24 at 8:01 pm to BlackenedOut
Kermit wrote such a fantastic book. Must read for wine lovers.
Posted on 11/20/24 at 8:02 pm to Fun Bunch
We're having 10 people for dinner, counting my wife and me. 2021 Dave Phinney Our Lady of Guadalupe Vineyard (Santa Rita Hills) Pinot Noir and 2023 Daou Sauvignon Blanc will do the heavy lifting. I bought a bottle of 2021 Lucien Albrecht Reserve Gewurztraminer to serve before dinner.
Posted on 11/20/24 at 9:11 pm to BlackenedOut
quote:
Look for any imported by Kermit Lynch
Even before this post I was eyeing a Kermit Lynch Moulin-a-Vent Diochon, guess this confirms that’ll be one of my choices.
Posted on 11/20/24 at 9:36 pm to Epic Cajun
Kermit Lynch is the goat importer
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