Turkey Day Wines

The Thanksgiving feast is a challenge for us winos. There are soooo many flavors on the table that it's hard to find a wine that complements all the things going on. There's the turkey of course. And the herbs and toastiness of stuffing. Sweetness and spice in sweet potatoes. Earthy green beans and Brussels sprouts. Sometimes there's even the saltiness of ham thrown into the mix. There's not a wine in the world that matches perfectly with everything. So, which cork should you pop?

You will want a warhorse wine. An adaptable well-made quaff that won't overpower or fight with all the other tastes hitting your palate. And there are good choices in both the red and white families. (I think that American wines are most appropriate for the day. Thanksgiving is, after all, a truly American holiday.)

WHITE:
You'll see a lot of wine folks recommending Sauvignon Blanc or Riesling for Turkey Day. They say that the herbal characteristics and slight sweetness in the wines complement the turkey and dressing perfectly. I disagree. I think they get overpowered by the strong herbal flavors going on. After all, we're not talking all white meat turkey with a kiss of sage. We're talking white and dark meat with gravy. Heavily flavored cornbread dressing. So, I go with Chardonnay. Try the Columbia Crest Grand Estates Chardonnay. It's one of our house wines. Nice and fruity, but with enough oaky core to stand up to the feast. And only about $10 a bottle.

A slightly more expensive wild-card selection is the Caymus Conundrum. Apropos for the multitude of tastes on the table, it's a blend of several grapes, including Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon. It's complex and worth a splurge at $22 a bottle.

RED:
This is where I go on Thanksgiving. I think an easy-to-drink red is a perfect match with the range of tastes I'll end up with on my plate. So, I'll be taking Ravenswood Vintner's Blend Zinfandel to the in-laws. It's got enough fruit and spice to go well with everything. And you can't beat the $10 price tag. You can also splurge on one of their vineyard-designated wines like Ravenswood Teldeschi Zinfandel for between $20 and $30.

SURPRISE:
Thanksgiving is a time for celebration. So let the corks fly and try one of Domaine Chandon's California sparklers. For less than $20, you could try the expected Brut or go crazy with a sparkling rosé. Its slightly fuller style is even better with the food you'll be stuffing yourself with.
Whatever you choose, enjoy your favorite wine with family and friends this Turkey Day. Even if you don't follow my specific advice, you really can't go wrong. Just pick a middle-of-the-road, not too wimpy, not too overpowering bottle and you won't regret it. Would love to hear what you opened to go with turkey and the trimmings. Add a comment to this post and let me know.