What I’m Drinking for the Holidays (Thanksgiving Edition)
Since I will be having a much different Thanksgiving than Terra, I’m going to give my plan for Thanksgiving wine, as well as some do’s & don’ts.
My husband and I will be going to a friend’s house with all their family, friends, kids, pets ,and who knows what else. My friend’s husband (one of the hosts) is a big foodie and has a plan in his head of what the “food-scape” is going to be and we have been told not to bring anything…but wine. There will be a LOT of wine drinkers there and not knowing a lot of them I have no idea what they enjoy. I’ve also been told that there will be a wine-judging contest and I plan on winning with one of my under $30 bottles. As far as the menu, all I know is there will be oysters, turkey, beef wellington, and that’s about it (this will not be the food porn-like blog that Terra so eloquently wrote, but I have been to a Dunham Thanksgiving and it’s every bit as good, if not better).
I plan on bringing two mixed cases going in and not having a whole lot to go on, my plan is to choose wines wisely that I know are crowd pleasers and are budget friendly…for the most part. This is a good time to bring up the first don’t: if you don’t know your audience, don’t bring that special bottle out on Turkey Day, it won’t be appreciated. There are bottles that everyone should have in their arsenal called ‘Cellar Defenders’. These are wines you should always have on hand that are your ‘Tuesday Night’ wines, your under $30 wines, bottles that are going to keep you from opening up the great stuff when all you need is the good stuff. Thanksgiving is a great day to use your cellar defenders…trust me.
I’m very grateful to work in an environment where we do have some killer juice that’s under $30 so here’s a snapshot of what I plan on bringing:
Bubbles
Raventós "De Nit" Cava Rosé 2018 ($21 - 17 Club) - Rose and bubbles are always a good idea on this holiday and this one overdelivers.
Jasmine Monet Organic Vineyard Brut NV ($25) - I’m always impressed with this every time I taste it and since I’m not bringing any real Champs, this will scratch that itch, plus it’s from Argentina (ice breaker).
Rosé
Liquid Geography, Bierzo Mencía Vino Rosado 2017 ($15) - Crowd pleaser right here. There’s no way you couldn’t love this dry rosé full of lots of red berries and structured enough for food.
Mary Taylor Saint-Pourçain Rosé 2020 ($18) - a staple of the shop for good reason, it makes everyone happy and it’s Gamay
Whites
Forge Cellars Classique Dry Riesling 2019 ($21) - This is a non-negotiable. Riesling should always have a place at the table, off-dry or otherwise. This is bone dry and I may be able to convert a few with this one.
Schlosskellerei Gobelsburg Kamptal Gruner Veltliner 2020 ($20) - Gruner was made for stuffing and green beans with its savory, white pepper personality. It also doesn’t get any better than this producer.
De Wetshof Bon Vallon Chardonnay 2021 ($22) - Another one that overdelivers. De Westhof is South Africa’s eminent Chardonnay house and I think the prettiest Chard we have in the shop at this price - no one will believe this is THAT grape. Don’t #2: Don’t serve an overly oaked Chardonnay, it will change the taste of everything, and not in a good way.
Liquid Farm Chardonnay White Hill 2019 ($43) - Yes, this breaks the budget but this is for ME! Liquid Farm is goose-bump inducing and so energetic & clean. If I could drink it everyday with every food, I would.
Beyra Beira Interior DOC Branco 2020 ($16) - This is a great aperitif/palate cleansing wine and since I know there will be some people there who have been to Portugal, this will be a good fit. Do #1: Always bring/have wine from a place you or others in the party have been to.
Reds
Fowles Wine "Farm to Table" Pinot Noir 2019 ($16) - This Pinot from Yarra Valley, Australia drinks like it should be on our top shelf and light bodied reds need to be present on this day. Don’t #3: Keep your wines at a lower abv that day. High alcohol, tannic wines will throw the flavors of the food off and you don’t want to fall asleep in your plate.
De Toren Delicate Red ($25 - 17 Club): This light Bordeaux blend, that can be chilled, is juicy and perfect for starters like charcuterie or any dishes with cranberry.
Gavalas Kotsifali 2019 ($25 - 17 Club): Another must. Kotsifali is perfect for Thanksgiving with it’s spice and fruity, fleshiness. Also know there will be some Greece fans in the house. (Only available to 17 Club Members until 1/1/2023.)
Ringbolt Cabernet Sauvignon 2020 ($19) - This is the style of Cab you want to drink on a food holiday. Margaret River, Australia produces the most beautiful Cabs, bright, restrained and elegant.
Bent Oak Winery Sangiovese Texas High Plains ($28) - just hit the shelves, award winning Sangiovese from Texas that’s fuller bodied and a great conversation starter.
Dessert
Do #2: Have a dessert wine. People are sometimes too full to eat dessert but still want something sweet and you always want to drink something sweeter than your dessert is (your big red wine isn’t going to cut it).
Blandy's Bual Madeira 5-Year ($30) - Besides the fact that Madeira is the epitome of toffee deliciousness, our founding fathers drank this when they signed the declaration of independence and then there’s also that Portugal reference.
Dolce Late Harvest 2014 ($60) - This Napa liquid gold is a single late harvest blend of Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon (think Sauternes). Dolce is apricot, orange and vanilla crème brûlée in a glass. I know some Napa fans will be there so the fact that Far Niente/Nickel & Nickel produce this should impress.
There you have it, some of the cellar defenders that I will have in tow on Thanksgiving. Do #3: Drink what you like at the end of the day. We certainly are thankful for all of you and wish you the very best Thanksgiving with lots of family, friends and amazing wine around the table. Cheers!!!
