It is another year to be grateful, and with Thanksgiving 2021 upon us, we must reflect on the fact that although the Pandemic is still here, we still need to be careful. This year we are able to get together with close friends and family comfortably. I think the virtually sharing of wine and meals is here to stay because it is another way to get together with friends and family unable to join us at this time for Thanksgiving.
This year my Thanksgiving 2021 wines choices will be an assortment of wines from across the world. In reds, I chose lighter-bodied wines because I feel they lend themselves better with
Turkey and fixings.
Thanksgiving 2021 Sparkling Wine
Foundry Wines 2015 Blanc de Noirs: Start your Thanksgiving meal with something a little different in a sparkling wine. The Pinot Noir grapes come from the Sangiacomo Vineyard in the Sonoma Coast. Created in Methode Champenoise, the wine delivers tropical flavors accented with toasty Brioche. Atypical for sparkling wine was the dominant flavor of melon.
Thanksgiving 2021 Whites
Müller-Catoir Scheurebe 2018: Scheurebe is an aromatic white grape that is grown in Germany and Austria. The grape is also called Sämling 88 and is thought to be a cross between Riesling and Bouquet Blanc. The wine is bright with acidity, minerality, and effervescence. I found aromas of white flower, citrus, and grapefruit. On the palate, the wine is fresh with flavors of lime.
Ramõn Bilbao 2020 Albariño: This lively wine will accent your meal with its aromas of tropical pineapple and citrus flavors, mostly grapefruit. With a nice balance of acidity and minerality, this wine has a spritzer quality to it.
Terragena 2017 Chardonnay Abbassi Vineyard: Created in a Burgundian style, this Chardonnay ages in 50% neutral oak, 25% once-used French oak, and 25% new Hungarian Oak. The grapes come from 40-year old vines in the Carneros region of Sonoma County. This wine speaks to citrus and pear flavors.
Thanksgiving 2021 Rosé
Ramõn Bilbao Rosado 2020: Find a lovely salmon color to this Spanish Rosé. On the nose, find apples, strawberries, and white flowers. Flavors of Tangerine dominate this wine.
Longevity 2019 Pink Pinot Grigio: Think Italian Ramato because it is a white grape left on its skins a little longer, giving the wine a salmon pink or coppery color. I found floral and berry aromas. The wine is lively with nice acidity and very refreshing.
Thanksgiving 2021 Reds
Terragena Evolution: Sometimes, a negative situation and, in this case, a bottling accident become s positive. It goes to show that the evolution of wine can go in many directions. In this case, from chaos, this red wine resulted in a wonderful outcome. The wine has all the ingredients of an outstanding wine, including balance and quality, at a very affordable price. It does not stick to the norms of AVA’s and varietals.
The wine is a blend that uniquely speaks of Pinot Noir, but winery owner and winemaker Chris Buchanan will not tell you what goes into this wine. It is a mystery but needless to say; the wine is outstanding. Can you resist not knowing the blend? It took me a while to accept, but I am now beyond because the wine is excellent and by far my favorite for a thanksgiving meal. The blend is lively, bright, and unique. It is a lighter medium-bodied wine. Flavors of cranberry prevail, while the finish is spicy with pepper and spice.
Riva Leone Barbaresco 2017: This reasonably priced wine from Piedmont consists of 100% Nebbiolo and ages in American and French oak. The oak treatment gives this Nebbiolo a soft, delicate texture, making it a wine that grew on me. The soft character gives the wine an elegance reminiscent of Pinot Noir. I found a lighter-bodied wine that reveals aromas of earth and mushrooms. On the palate, the wine exhibits red fruit and spice. I recommend letting the wine sit open or aerate before serving.
I wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving.
Note: Common to the wine industry, this writer received hosted wine samples. While it has not influenced this review, the writer believes in full disclosure.