Thanksgiving Wine and More

At this time of the year, most of us wonder about the best Thanksgiving wine to serve with our holiday feast. Because of the flavors, we savor during our holiday meal, a wide variety of wines that will suit the occasion. This year I am thinking about whites to complement our dinner fare. We can choose a more aromatic white, a unique white, or if your preference, a reliable standby, there is Chardonnay. Here are some selections of wines that have crossed my path recently. They are excellent options to grace your table this Thanksgiving.

Thanksgiving Wine – Côtes Du Rhône

From light to full-bodied, the wines from Côtes du Rhône deliver fresh and expressive aromatics that will accompany any feast for Thanksgiving.

Château De Montfaucon “Vin de Madame La Comtesse Blanc 2016, Lirac AOC: The wine embellishes the Clairette grape combined with Marsanne, Grenache Blanc, and Picpoul. This wine comes from the oldest winery in the Rhône that features 145-year-old vines. The wine ages seven months in French oak and delivers creamy flavors of citrus with a spicy finish.

Domaine la Réméjeanne Les Arbousiers Blanc 2016 Côtes du Rhône AOC: The wine consists of Roussanne, Clairette, Viognier, Marsanne and Bourboulenc. This wine exhibits a higher acidity and minerality, which counters the blander qualities of turkey. One finds flavors of stone fruit and citrus.

Domaine des Amphores “Altitude 300” Blanc 2017, Saint-Joseph AOC: This wine blends Roussanne with Marsanne, but what is different is 67% of the wine is fermented in oak while 33 % ferments in Acacia wood large casts and aged for 8 – 9 months. I found aromas of pear and flavors of pear, stone fruit, and citrus. The wine exudes a nice minerality with some spice on the finish.

Thanksgiving Wine – Alto Adige

Peter Zemmer Pinot Grigio: Another wine that delivers flavors of winter fruit such as pear and apple and accented with aromas of white flower. This refreshing wine adds some spice on the finish to enhance our Thanksgiving meal.

Thanksgiving Wine – Napa Valley

I am very particular about Chardonnay; my two Thanksgiving wine suggestions lean towards the French Burgundian style, which I prefer.

Smith-Madrone 2016 Estate Grown Chardonnay: I consider this Chardonnay from the Spring Mountain District very subtle in its style and not overwhelming. Although the wine ferments in 80% new French oak and then aged for nine months, you cannot tell because the wine is not oaky at all. With a nice well-integrated acidity the wine exhibits aromas of pear and flavors of pear and lemon.

Artesa Los Carneros 2016 Chardonnay: This Chardonnay combines both oak and stainless steel fermentation. Following fermentation, about 50% of the wine goes through malolactic fermentation. The wine then ages for nine months. The result is a balanced wine with aromas and flavors of pear, lemon, and stone fruit.

If you want to bring a little spunk to your holiday meal, try a Riesling. It certainly will give life to the party.

Smith-Madrone 2016 Riesling: The grapes grow on steep hillsides in the Spring Mountain District similar to those in the German Riesling regions like Mosel. Aromas of white flowers and citrus give way to flavors of lime, stone fruits and pear. I found a very dry Alsatian styled Riesling that is bright and lively with some creaminess and minerality.

Although I have opted to suggest these wine for Thanksgiving, they are perfect for other occasions.

Common to the wine industry, this writer received hosted wine samples. While it has not influenced this review, the writer believes in full disclosure.