Nobody wants to be caught with a mediocre bottle of wine on Thanksgiving Day. So plan ahead and pick out something tasty that’ll accompany the buttery, rich flavors on the table.
Don’t know much about wine? Mark Thomson, owner of Plaza Liquors & Fine Wines, 2642 N. Campbell Ave., takes us through some of his favorite turkey- day styles, with recommendations for each.
Pinot noir: Because of their light, delicate character and cherry notes, pinots are the perfect choice for Thanksgiving dinner.
“You don’t want to drink a wine that overwhelms the food,” Thomson says.
Although pinot is originally from Burgundy, France, Thomson recommends two American varietals: from Russian River Valley, California ($15) and Elk Cove Pinot Noir from the Willamette Valley, Oregon ($28.99).
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Beaujolais Nouveau: This go-to Thanksgiving wine is popular for a reason: The sweet, cranberry taste of the fresh grapes marries perfectly with the cranberries on the dinner table, Thomson says.
The unaged wine became an American tradition because it was consistently released right before Thanksgiving, offering the first taste of the year’s vintage.
Plaza is expecting a shipment of two varieties of Beaujolais Nouveau by Georges Duboeuf, as well as the Jean Baronnat Cru, a family-owned vineyard that only produces 500 cases per production cycle.
Riesling: For lovers of white, Thomson thinks a dry Riesling is one of the best things you can put on the Thanksgiving table. Its apricot honey notes are well balanced by the acidity and effervescence of the wine, making it a light pairing for Thanksgiving flavors. Try the Snoqualmie from Columbia Valley, Washington ($9.00), or for something drier, the Clean Slate from Germany ($10.50).
Chardonnay: The rich, buttery notes on a typical California chardonnay play very well with the Thanksgiving turkey, Thomson says.
It’s important to pick the right one, though, because too much oak can overwhelm the other flavors on the plate.
He picks Cloisonné from the Russian River Valley, aged in French oak for silkier tannins ($16.45).
Beer! Can we take a moment to be thankful for all the amazing brews coming out of the craft beer movement? Since Plaza beer specialist Gabriel Romero loves India Pale Ale, he recommends the winter New Belgium Accumulation White IPA ($1.48 for a 12-ounce bottle).
But if you’re looking for something heftier, try Samuel Smith’s Winter Welcome Ale ($2.33 for a 12-ounce bottle).
Cheers!
Mark Thomson
