Thankful for Thanksgiving Wine Suggestions
We all know the old mantra, white with chicken or fish and red with beef, but who knows what to serve with turkey? The focus of Thanksgiving is the food so you want to be sure your choice is just right. Thankfully there are several choices that pair well with turkey and at Swann Avenue Market and Deli we are happy to help you choose.
Food and Wine says, “rich balanced whites and earthy fruit driven reds” pair well with turkey and your favorite side. For those of you who are not wine connoisseurs, what exactly does that mean?
White Wines
If white wine is your preference, think about Chardonnay, or a Dry Rieslings. Chardonnay
Chardonnay tends to be a more fruit forward wine. A good Chardonnay will go well with your turkey both while you are cooking and when you are serving. We have a large selection of Chardonnay for you to choose from. My favorite every day choice is Scotto Cellars. It is fermented in both stainless steel and oak barrels so it has a citrusy taste that will brighten up your turkey and sides. For a more fall taste, the Chalk Hill Chardonnay has hints of apple and baking spice. What could be better with your Thanksgiving dinner! If you really want to impress try the Frank Family Chardonnay. The Frank Family vineyard is a personal favorite of ours. We hope it will become one of yours as well.
Riesling
All Rieslings have a strong fruit presence particularly lemon, lime, pineapple and apricot. Unlike the ice creamy sweetness of a Sweet Riesling, Dry Riesling is much more acidic, almost like lemonade. Riesling is best served very cold but even at that temperature the flavors will virtually leap from the glass. I recommend trying our Chateau St Michelle Riesling. It is a budget friendly way to try a new varietal and consistently rates will in wine rankings. We also have the Eroica Riesling. It is a blend of Washington State, Chateau St Michelle, and German Riesling. It is a little softer on the palate and more fruit forward. The holidays are as good a time as any to try a new varietal and Wine Wednesday make is easy on your wallet.
Reds
Now what about those earthy fruit driven reds. You can’t go wrong with a Pinot Noir, a Zinfandel or a red blend.
Pinot Noir
Pinot Noir is to reds what Chardonnay is to whites. Easy and versatile with sweet fruit flavors Pinot Noir is a good match for your turkey and the sides. Erath Pinot Noir is a great choice in the budget friendly range. It is fruit forward with notes of cranberry, sage, vanilla and pie crust. It sounds like Thanksgiving dinner in a bottle. Try Brancott Estates Letter Series T if you are looking for something on the higher end of the spectrum. It is full bodied with flavors of berries and spice. A nice compliment to the turkey and the sides. Of course there is always Meiomi Pinot. It is sure to please both your guests and your budget.
Zinfandel
If you are looking for something a little spicier, a zinfandel is a good choice. One that we specifically enjoy it the Artezin. It is reasonably priced but drinks like a high end wine. It is extremely flavorful with a peppery blackberry taste. By the winemakers who brought you Prisoner, Saldo is a zinfandel that is sure to make an impression. With flavors of black pepper, cherry and baking spice, this wine is the perfect pairing for your Thanksgiving Day meal.
Red Blend
If you aren’t quite sure which varietal to go with, a red blend is a nice compromise. At Swann Avenue Market we have several for you to choose from. Z Alexander Brown Uncaged Red Blend, with notes of toasted oak, ripe dark fruit and chocolate, this wine is as intricate and appealing as Zac Brown’s music. Another strong choice is Prisoner. From the same wine company as Saldo, Prisoner brings tastes of clove, fig, chocolate and vanilla. Definitely a full bodied wine that will be remembered long after the dishes are done.
Last but NEVER least, don’t forget the champagne!!!! Whether you are drinking the real thing or bubbles from another region, no holiday is complete until the cork is popped. At Swann Avenue we have bubble to fit any budget and Champagne when the real thing is called for.