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Fill every beaker up, my men,
Pour forth the cheering wine.
There’s life and strength in every drop,
Thanksgiving to the vine!
~ Albert Gorton Greene
Thanksgiving is almost here, again, and American wine drinkers consume more wine on Thanksgiving than any other day of the year.
Along with pumpkin pie and cranberry relish, wine is a mandatory accompaniment for all of the Thanksgiving cuisine, our celebration of the harvest. You should think whites and medium bodied, juicy reds with a low tannin level and definitely an American wine on this American occasion. While many wines will work with turkey and mashed potatoes, for a more cerebral pairing follow the clues in the stuffing.
Try a soft, supple Pinot Noir with smoky, dried cherry flavors to highlight stuffings that contain dried fruit. Spicy Italian sausage calls for a big red Zinfandel which, by the way, is also very conducive to the overall Thanksgiving fare. A California Syrah is also low in tannins and a great overall match.
California white Rhône-style blends (Marsanne, Roussanne, Viognier, etc.) are absolutely perfect with an oyster dressing along with a nice Oregon Pinot Gris. When you are not sure of the crowd (or the stuffing), an apple tinged Chardonnay is always a reliable match for the turkey. Also, for a true festive atmosphere, California sparkling wines are beautiful for this event because they possess lighter weight with lower alcohol and they are almost all produced without any oak which make them extremely versatile.
Sears is sommelier at Sears Wine and Spirits Catalogue and can be reached via email at searscatalogue@gmx.com.
