Monthly Archives: November 2015

Here is my list of some favorite wines for Thanksgiving. Some of these are typical choices, while others may seem out in left field. All are interesting and worth your time. With a couple of exceptions, these wines will fall under $15.00 a bottle.

WHITES

1. Les Lys 2014 Vouvray - There are apricot, almond and slight honey notes complemented by a fair amount of acidity, yet this wine still is very creamy and has a round finish. It will be a crowd pleaser at Thanksgiving.
2. Dom Lafage 2014 Centenaire Cotes du Roussane - A light straw colored blend of Grenache Blanc and Roussane, this wine is crisp and has peach and green apple notes with good minerality.
3. Ressia 2014 Evien Bianco - This wine is very aromatic with intense flavors of peach, apricot, orange blossom, lychee (somewhat reminiscent of a Vouvray) and a hint of anise in the finish.
4. Willm 2013 Gewurtztraminer - a bit creamy and juicy, with smoke, apple, melon, lime, and ginger flavors.

If you go on line looking for wine pairings for Thanksgiving, you’ll either walk away with some great ideas or come away overwhelmed with the diverse choices coming from every direction. I’d like to tell you that I can simplify the process, but frankly, I can’t. In fact I am about to add to it.  But hey, this is a meal about family which as many of us know can get a bit messy, physically as well as emotionally. So relax and embrace the crazy.

I love Austrian wines and feel they deserve more attention, and three of their major wines are actually great choices for Thanksgiving. These wines have the ability to pair with a variety of dishes served on this special day including turkey, yams, stuffing, and even Brussel sprouts.

Now that it’s November, we can put away the plastic skeletons, rubber monster masks, finish off the candy corn and toss away the rotting pumpkin.  Before you go jumping on the Christmas shopping and decorating bandwagon, take a chill and remember Thanksgiving.