I am not entirely sure why, but I love Thanksgiving. In fact, it might be my favorite holiday. While most seem to see it as the holiday most associated with family, I do not. Even though I love my family dearly, I abhor traveling to see them over the tight turkey day window–it is just way too stressful. No, I love the holiday because more than any other, the holiday is about food–food that is notoriously hard to match with wine. You have your salty proteins (turkey, ham, duck, goose, or the blasphemous tofu) that can be prepared in myriad ways (roasted, baked, smoked, candied, deep fried) with side dishes that present all sorts of problems (sweet potatoes, stuffing, green beans with the crunchy onions on the top). So why do I love it? Simple. The best wines for the occasion, in my opinion, are my two favorites: sparkling wine and Pinot Noir. Thanksgiving therefore becomes my Super Bowl (growing up a Detroit Lions fan, the ‘real’ Super Bowl is but a pipe dream…).
The problem with Thanksgiving: you likely have several family members in attendance–including those who have no clue about wine. For me, that would be my Uncle Dave. He is certainly the life of the party, and I love him dearly, but when it comes to wine, he likes all wine as long as it has ‘Coors Lite’ emblazoned on the bottle can. Thus, I am loathe to break out the ‘big guns’ and have no one appreciate them (yeah, I am a snob). Therefore, at this time each year, I aspire to find wines that will not break the bank, will be enjoyed by the masses, and will not cause me to hurl in the backyard. Hopefully, this weekend, I will make a few more picks for the meal of the year, but in the meantime, head over to the other blog I write for, The Pennsylvania Wine Company, where there are a few suggestions (with a couple from yours truly).
Francis Ford Coppola Sofia Blanc de Blancs 2011
Acacia Pinot Noir Carneros 2010
the drunken cyclist 
The article is up: http://www.pavineco.com/thanksgiving-wine-pairing/
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Thanks, the link did not initially work, but it does now….
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I like Sofia. I haven’t had Acacia in a long time – is it the usual New World profile? I see it’s Carneros, which is encouraging. Thanksgiving’s probably the only time I drink Zin.
No Nouveau?
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Will be having some Nouveau tonight and might add it on…. Never been much of a fan though, seems way too gimicky….
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You saved me! I’m shaking things up a bit this year and going to a friends for a pot luck dinner in Brooklyn. I’m bringing Pumpkin Pie and my Grams Red Cabbage… and NOW I have 2 wines to choose from. Thanks Master of Thanksgiving smorgasbord and wine matchmaker 😉
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You are far too kind! Have a great time with your friends–we are doing the same here!
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Yep … turkey is easy … but green beans, sweet potatoes, and cranberries tend to foul up wines. We go with Pinot Noir, Riesling, and Gwertztraminer. … then have a dessert that goes with port.
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I hear you. It is easier to start with the wines and build a meal around them!
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That’s right … turkey is so flexible, thus planning the rest of the meal would be an interesting undertaking. I can see it now … Chardonnay Thanksgiving, Cabernet Thanksgiving, and of course, Thankszinning.
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I once had Sofia in a can with straw. A while back it came in 500ml can package. I am going to have my first 2010 red from Santa Rita Hills in a few weeks time. Can’t wait.
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I remember those cans of Sofia–people thought it would be the next big thing. Guess not….
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Tried the Sofia and it worked great with the turkey and sides, even the desserts. Good recommendation.
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Great! I thought it might!
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