"Fabulous Thanksgiving Wines"

Soon we will be taking turkeys and hams out of the oven and having the relatives over for the holidays. The last thing we want to worry about is what wine to serve to satisfy the company. Leave that up to me and you can concentrate on the entertaining. I have a passion for food and wine and love to give you the best picks for the holidays. If you're going to prepare the traditional fare of ham or turkey look to white wines that are light to medium bodied and have a touch of sweetness. This style goes well with turkey and the touch of sweetness counter balances the saltiness of the ham. Also if there are guests who don't drink wine on a more regular basis this style will please their palate. If you enjoy a more rich white wine Chardonnays and Viogniers will also work well. For crab, shrimp or lobster these two are the perfect pairing. For holiday reds I look for ones that are less tannic and not overly oaked. Pinot Noir, Beaujolais and Red Zinfandels go great at the dinner table. Try and stay away from the Cabernet Sauvignon and the Malbec if you're serving turkey. If you're having prime rib then these will work nicely. Nothing goes better with hors d'oeuvres than a bottle of bubbly. The effervescence pairs with a wide array of foods and cleanses the palate. Today you can find incredible values in sparkling wine from our country and also check out the Cava from Spain and the Prosecco from Italy. These options will work as well as an expensive Champagne but won't break the bank.

1) Raindrop Riesling Columbia Valley 2009 - Washington State is now producing some of the most complex Rieslings in our country. This is a new one we just got in and is fabulous for the money. Aromas of pear, apple and jasmine fill the air. Mouthwatering flavors of tropical fruits explode on the palate with a nice sweetness balanced by the acidity. Works well also as an aperitif. Pair with turkey and ham. $9.99

2) Lo Duca Mamertino Chardonnay 2009, Italy - If you want a wine that does it all for the holidays this is it. Even though it's made with the Chardonnay grape the style is all its own. The wine has aromas of apricot, peaches and apples. On the palate you get pear and more stone fruits with a touch of sweetness and a slight frizzante. Chill it down and have some fun. Pair with ham or use with appetizers. $14.99

3) Fetzer Gewurztraminer 2009, California - Year after year this winery puts out an award winning Gewurztraminer at a killer price. Lower in acidity than a Riesling but still screaming to be paired with ham and turkey. Aromas of honeysuckle and rose petals float into the air. Fresh fruit flavors of honeyed apricots coat the palate with a nice sweetness. Serve to the non wine drinkers in the crowd. Pair with your holiday ham. $8.99

4) Lo Duca Mamertino Red 2009, Italy - Here is a red wine for the holidays that has a touch of sweetness and a slight sparkle. This one you chill down and serve like a white wine. If you have people in the crowd who don't like dry reds buy this one. Aromas of cherries and strawberries fill the air. Succulent flavors of raspberries and more cherries coat the mouth with a nice frizzante. A great introduction to red wine. 100% Terrano grape. Pair with ham and sweet potatoes. $14.99

5) Mark West Pinot Noir Santa Lucia Highlands 2009, California - The Santa Lucia Highlands in Monterey County is becoming one of the greatest AVAs to grow Pinot Noir in our country. High elevation, low rainfall and a cool coastal influence contribute to excellent Pinot Noir. This winery has released the "09" at an incredible price and has the complexity of a thirty dollar bottle. Intense red color with aromas of earth and dark fruits. Flavors of blackberry and strawberry coat the palate ending with a hint of mocha. Super silky mouth feel with a long finish. Pair with stuffed mushrooms, Salmon and traditional fare. $15.99

Hope you find a gem for the Holidays!

Jeff Anderson

Sommelier

(Prices current as of date of newsletter. All prices subject to change.)