Wednesday, November 24, 2010

Thanksgiving Day Wines Revisited (NW)

On Thanksgiving day, many wines will work just fine. If you have a big casual group of people, make sure to have several wines including at least one red and one white. For a smaller gathering and a more formal meal, serve a red wine at the table that's versatile.

My top pick is still Cabernet Sauvignon with a little bit of age on it. Even more specific, I'd go for a Sonoma County wine or a Napa Valley producer who's focused on a more refined Cabernet style. Other wine regions such as Paso Robles, CA, Columbia Valley, WA, and Walla Walla, WA, also produce Cabernets and Cabernet blends that would be fitting. In the spirit of a uniquely American holiday, serve American wine. There are plenty of other opportunities to open your Bordeaux.

You might be surprised that my top pick isn't Pinot Noir, but I find that all the wonderful subtleties of a good Pinot are washed away in the Thanksgiving day meal.

In any case, don't take wine and food pairings too seriously on Thanksgiving. With the variety of flavors involved and the number of side dishes that grace most tables, versatility is key. I will be pouring a beautiful Cabernet.

Raise a glass!

No comments:

Post a Comment