Wine For Thanksgiving?

Piece Of Cake!

(or pie?)

As we approach another Thanksgiving dinner extravaganza, it is interesting to note how the advice of the experts has changed over the years when recommending an appropriate wine to pair with the feast. If memory serves correctly, the sophisticated wine drinker was once steered towards Gewurztraminer for a white wine and Pinot Noir for a red wine. These choices are still perfectly appropriate.

Today, however, we have an incredible array of excellent wines available that will make any wine drinker happy as they pull up a chair to the Thanksgiving table.

When discussing Thanksgiving red wines, I have to mention Beaujolais Nouveau. This French wine phenomenon appears just in time for Thanksgiving. The wines are simple, light, and fruity.

For those looking for a little more complexity, look for the “Cru” Beaujolais from the 2005 vintage. These are wines from the best Beaujolais regions. They are complex, drier than Nouveau, and an excellent value given the quality of the wine.

Finally, many wine experts are recommending any red wine that has enough fruit to offset the dry white meat of the turkey, as well as some body to stand up to the multiple dishes of the feast. Shiraz and Red Zinfandel are often mentioned in this category. Any self-respecting wine shop will have numerous selections of these wines.

If you prefer white wine, by all means serve a white wine with your turkey. White wine with white meat is still a simple and appropriate food and wine pairing rule. Because the meal features many dishes, a medium to full-bodied white wine would be appropriate.

California Chardonnays that are often criticized for being too oaky would actually show well on the Thanksgiving table.

If you can get over the preconceived notion that all Rieslings are too sweet, the fruit and acidity of a Riesling would also taste great on Thanksgiving day.

Hopefully, you will look at the choice of wine for Thanksgiving dinner as an opportunity to try something great rather than an obligation to find the perfect pairing. I might even pull out that Sauvignon Blanc that I have been enjoying so much lately.

*A Consumer Alert: Beaujolais Nouveau shipped by air will be available this weekend. The less expensive boat shipments will be available around November 26.

(Newtown resident and wine enthusiast Steve Small is the general manager at Yankee Wine & Spirits on Queen Street.)