Last year, I gave you a standard list of wines for Thanksgiving. This year, let’s try to drink outside the box (get that, a boxed wine!) and try something different?
The cost of wine this year should be about the same as last year. But the cost of your meal is expected to rise by at least 20%!
Appetizers before the main meal generally call for champagne or sparkling wine. Though I tend to favor the brut rose’, let’s go with a Prosecco, offering both a brut and rose’ for your guests. I have recently been impressed by some higher end Proseccos. If you can find the Santa Margarita Winery Prosecco, it might be worth the $24 list price. Just remember a cheap Prosecco tastes like a cheap Prosecco.
Occasionally, I will bring out a bottle of Single Malt Scotch, but only for special guests. My all-time favorite is the Macallan 15-year-old. But most people would be happy with any single malt. Place it next to the wine and see who will join you.
Turkey and ham main dishes always create a conundrum for wine. So, why not have a choice of a red and a white? A medium bodied Pinot Noir from Daou in Paso Robles is a reasonably priced choice. The problem with your red wine choice is to avoid overpowering the bird. Lighter reds like a Beaujolais or Zinfandel can work too.
But for a white wine, let’s try to find a decent and dry Riesling, often considered the most underrated Thanksgiving wine. Dry Creek on the lower price point, and Paetra from Oregon on the higher end. The acidity helps cut through fatty gravy and buttery potatoes. Your guests who insist on turkey breast meat will really enjoy your selection.
The traditional pumpkin pie might, on the surface, seem difficult to pair. My choice would be another Italian wine, called a Passito. On the sweeter side, it pairs well with desserts that are not too sweet. Of course, a vintage Port always works well with your dark chocolate torte. And a hot cup of Peet’s coffee works well too!
My after-dessert drink, particularly when toasting a special event is the mastika from Greece. My Greek brothers introduced me last May. I have two bottles, which I will break out on Christmas Eve. Mastika is none other than a homemade moonshine. Everybody makes a slightly different version.
Whatever you decide, drink responsibly, and make sure you have a designated driver if you are out and about. And please try to keep it under $20!!!
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