White? Red? There’s no simple answer when it comes to which wine is best for the big, bold flavors of Thanksgiving. More wine is purchased by Americans for Thanksgiving dinner than for any other holiday. Following are some affordable wine recommendations for Turkey Day.
Whites
- 2012 Jacob’s Creek Reserve Barossa Dry Riesling ($12) – Citrusy aromas with fresh, green apple flavors. Lovely crisp, wet stone finish. Perfect to cut through the richness of my mac and cheese and stood up to its spicy Panko topping.
- 2011 Ravines Dry Riesling ($17) – On the nose, there are lovely aromas of Asian pear and Meyer lemon. In the mouth, the lemon turns to lime and the pear to crisp apple flavors. The finish offers the perfect level of acidity and crispness.
- 2010 Albert Mann Cremant D’Alsace ($20) – This Alsatian wine offers bright aromas of juicy pear and lemon zest and crisp apple flavors. Simply a super bubbly with tons of creamy, moussy bubbles great for any occasion.
- 2012 Castello di Amorosa Pinot Bianco ($24) – A crisp, dry white wine, light in color, with aromas of tropical fruit, citrus and almonds.
- 2011 Heritance Sauvignon Blanc ($24) – This Sauvignon blanc and Roussanne blend offers bright citrus aromas with peach and tropical fruit flavors.
Reds
- 2010 Graffigna Centenario Malbec Reserve ($11) – Medium to full-bodied wine with flavors of ripe raspberries, dates and notes of pumpkin pie spices.
- 2010 Alba Vineyards Old Mill Red ($12) – This medium-bodied New Jersey wine packed with cherry and dried fruit that finishes soft and velvety.
- 2010 Campo Viejo Reserva Rioja ($15) – Great balance between cherries, stone fruit and blackberries and clove, pepper and a little vanilla. Smooth and balanced on the palate with a long, lingering finish.
- 2009 Albert Bichot Pinot Noir Vielles Vignes ($15) – Ripe cherry nose, nice level of acidity and cherries mix with strawberries on this light-medium Pinot Noir.
- 2011 Los Vascos Grand Reserve ($15) – This Chilean wine is bright with cherries and stone fruit. It’s intense, has a nice level of acidity and a fruity finish with black licorice notes.
Here are some of our favorite New Jersey wine shops:
- Gary’s Wine – Bernardsville, Madison and Wayne
- Amanti Vino – Montclair
- Heights Beer and Wine Emporium – Hasbrouck Heights
- Bottle King – Multiple locations in New Jersey
- Tewksbury Fine Wine & Spirits – Oldwick
- Joe Canal’s – Multiple locations in South Jersey
- Princeton Corkscrew – Princeton
Whatever you chose to pour for Thanksgiving, enjoy it with family and friends.
Cheers,
Veronique Deblois, Food & Wine Chickie: Veronique is a food and wine writer based in Morris County, NJ. As the author of the popular blog, Food & Wine Chickie Insider, Veronique shares recipes, wine and restaurant reviews and insight into the travel industry of which she’s a 15-year veteran. Follow Veronique on Twitter or like her Facebook page.