Excellent topic.
Like any self respecting wine obsessed person, I do tend to overthink Thanksgiving, and I have some definite opinions about what should be on the table. My first principle is that the wines served for Thanksgiving should reward attention without demanding it. Beyond that, there are certain grape types that I think go particularly well with the meal, namely:
Kabinett style Riesling
Sparklers
Chenin Blanc
Gamay
Zinfandel
Rhone style reds
I also try to give preference to American wines because this meal is more accommodating to the New World style than most and, just because.
So, my thinking for this year:
Sparkler:
Probably going to go with Gruet from New Mexico. I'm tempted to combine two preferences and go with Chateau Frank Celebre (from Dr. Frank in the FL), which is made from Riesling.
Riesling:
Silver Thread Riesling Off-Dry 2007 or Von Hovel Riesling 2007.
I'm out of my first choice for the Finger Lakes (Hosmer) at the moment, and it's not locally available. Silver Thread is a good substitute, as would be Dr. Frank or Hermann Wiemer. Alternatively, I'm considering overriding my American preference with the Von Hovel, a really, really good German riesling and a great value at $15.
Chenin Blanc:
No good candidates right now. For this meal, I do prefer New World chenin blanc, Vouvray tends to get overwhelmed. Guenoc used to be my perennial choice, but I haven't seen it in years.
Sauvignon Blanc:
Clos Roche Blanche Touraine Sauvignon No. 2 2008.
SB is not my first choice, but I'm sure this wine will perform beautifully. It's got the, if you'll pardon the expression, stuffing to stand up to this meal. Lacking a viable Chenin Blanc, I'll go with this.
Gamay:
Chermette Domaine du Vissoux Beaujolais Vielles Vignes Cuvee Traditionale 2007.
It's not Thanksgiving without Beaujolais. This is a fine one in the mid teens.
Zinfandel:
Undecided. There are none that I'm thrilled about for the price I would pay. Dashe's L'Enfant Terrible is good, but $25 is higher than I want to go. (Same for Heitz and Chateau Montelena). Renwood's Sierra Series is cheap and okay, but unexceptional. I may go with Quivira, which has some character, is balanced and is reasonably priced in the mid teens.
Rhone Style Red:
Edmunds St. John Rocks and Gravel 2004
If you stuck this in a blind tasting of real Rhone reds, I doubt anyone would catch it. Lovely wine. |
