Normally, I plan my meal around a certain bottle of wine I have in mind. Thanksgiving Day and weekend is just the opposite. I always have my list set early – from pre-dinner bubbles to spicy football watching reds to that perfect port with a cigar out on the patio late night. Don’t get me wrong, the holiday is always about my dearest friends and family giving thanks together, but I must confess in recent years - sharing incredible wines are among my fondest memories of Thanksgiving! You won't go wrong with these...
Dominique Portet Sauvignon Blanc – “Class in a Glass”. Portet’s Bordeaux heritage stands out in this beauty of a wine! Elegant and soft in style, sooo good on its own, but even better with homemade yeast rolls and butter! (Australia)
Luca Syrah is intense, deep purple in color. Aromas of toasty oak. Rich, lush, and mouthfilling on the palate. Deep fruit flavors of blackberry jam, black cherry and hints of sweet oak. Not French Syrah, not California Syrah—truly Argentine Syrah, with the Malbec lending some nice additional complexity. Truly a wine to “show-off” to your Thanksgiving guests! (Argentina)
Handley Sauvignon Blanc – The label is so beautiful, you can’t help but love this gorgeous wine at any fancy dinner table. Fresh scent of apricots and tangerines, with a pleasant mineral accent. Forward flavors of tangerine and lemongrass with a mouthwatering finish. This Sauv Blanc pairs very well with turkey and cranberry leftover sandwiches! (Anderson Valley, California)
Handley Gewürztraminer - Delicately perfumed with rose, orange blossoms, and sun-warmed melon, this wine fills the mouth with flavors of citrus and spice. The 2004 Anderson Valley Gewürztraminer is very versatile at the modern American table, with its many influences from all over the world. Slight sugar and spice and everything nice, that’s what this Gewurz taste like! (Anderson Valley, California)
Olivet Lane Chardonnay – I still can’t believe this amazing bottle is so inexpensive! This Chardonnay is so elegantly balanced with gorgeous fruit and lightly toasted flavors. A tremendous value from the Pellegrini folks and a great compliment to creamy cheeses, roast turkey and all the fixings! (California)
Handley Pinot Noir - Upon opening this beautiful Pinot Noir, you will notice subtle violet perfume with an accent of cinnamon. It is spicy in the mouth as well, with a long finish. Beautiful companion to smoked turkey and sweet potato pie! (Anderson Valley, California)
Teira Zinfandel – aromas of dark berry fruit on the nose: blueberry, blackberry and cherry. On the palate, the wine leads with round, rich flavors balanced with natural acidity and California Zin structure. What a MOUTHFULL – this will add a little ZING to your Turkey Day festivities! (California)
Olivet Lane Pinot Noir is such a delight, make sure to score more than one bottle of this if Pinot is your game! Williams Selyem and Merry Edwards used this vineyard for years. Dark fruits and sage on the nose, lingering and deep delicious serious fruit! By far the most elegant bottle of pinot made from the Russian River region in California, it’s wonderful with our without food!
Handley Anderson Valley Chardonnay - This wine starts with a subtle vanilla kiss. It is reminiscent of ripe pears and apples right out of a sunlit orchard, with faint floral accents. With incredible length and nice acidity, the 2002 Estate Chardonnay is lovely with creamy potatoes and pumpkin pie! (Anderson Valley, California)
Crios Torrontes – to serve before you sit down for the big meal! Enticing aromas that are strikingly similar to Viognier, with hints of peach pit, flowers, and orange citrus fruit. On the palate, it has mouthwatering acidity that keeps you coming back for another sip and plenty of body for a wine that shows such delicate aromas and flavors. Fruity, floral and yet still quite dry, this wine has to be tasted to be believed. (Argentina)
Fontaine Rosé Yarra Valley is available for the first time in the USA, Dominique Portet's Rosé has won Best Rosé in Australia 3 years in a row... only 56 cases imported for the entire USA. Refreshing, Provence-like rosé made with Cabernet, Shiraz and Merlot from the Yarra Valley.
2002 Cloverdale Ranch Cabernet and Merlot – no need to tell you how INCREDIBLE these wines are, you’ve probably tasted these and bought a few already – these rich reds are quickly becoming Texas’ best selling Alexander Valley Reds!
Print this list off, forward it to friends, wines are available statewide at your favorite wine shop or department - just ask! Happy Thanksgiving - Ali
