These are the usual wine suspects for one simple reason: theyre really good with standard Thanksgiving food staples.
That said, I think holidays are an opportunity to tryfood and wines that are unusual or unexpected.
The Picking Process
To pick outside-the-box wines for Thanksgiving, I set up a few criteria.
The most expensive bottle I bought was $20, but that was a splurge.
I selected all eight wines I tried (and one cider) frommy local Trader Joes.
If youre not sure when buying, ask someone who works at the store for help.
(Ill tell you what to ask for and what to avoid in my recs below.)
Vegetables like green beans and Brussels sprouts can also cause problems, because of their acid-derived green flavors.
A good wine pairing improves both the flavor of the food and the wine to create an extra-good bite.
I live for the extra-good bite,and I want other people to experience it.
They range from dry to sweet and can be sparkling, semi-sparkling, or still.
My pick: 2016 Vignobles Lacheteau Vouvray Loire Valley.
make a run at get a 2016 or a 2014 if you’re free to.
My pick: 2016 Oyster Bay Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc.
Beyond Champagne, there are ton of viable sparkling beverage options for actually pairing with your food.
For T-day, I might opt for a Cremant de Loire or a Cremant DAlsace.
(I hear the French like these a lot, too.)
My pick: Dan Armor Cuvee Speciale Cidre Brut.
When picking these, youll want to look for a younger wine, like a 2015.
Avoid anything marked Doble Pasta, as these will likely be too tannic and overwhelm the food.
initiate the bottle an hour or two before serving orthrow it in the blender to open it up.
My Pick: 2015 Albero Jumilla Monastrell.
Like a zinfandel, Amarone della Valpolicella is a powerful wine high in alcohol, bursting with jammy flavors.
This process brings forth intense raisin, currant, fig, and fruit compote richness while rounding out tannins.
Of the wines I tasted, I was most surprised by this one.
Plus, I was floored when I tried this wine with cranberry sauce.
Because it is high in alcohol, youll want this wine to come last.
Think of it as the wine to drink with your plate of seconds and up to your pre-pie nap.
If you cant find an Amarone on the cheaper end, look for a ripasso wine instead.
Because this process is less labor-intensive, they run on the cheaper side.
My Pick: 2013 Pasqua Amarone Della Valpolicella.
You cant pick a wrong wine, friend.
And if you discover an unconventional T-day pairing that weirdly works, tell us about it!
