Hi All. We have a great week for giving thanks. I wanted to provide a few picks from previous postings plus an extra or two in case you needed to pick up a great white or red at the grocery store in a mad rush to cook Thanksgiving dinner or get to your family’s or friend’s houses.
Chardonnay: I’m a fan of Chardonnay as a white wine for Thanksgiving primarily due to the stronger tastes of the main course and sides and the need to pair the meal appropriately. You can find a Harken Chardonnay at Market Street for around $15 per bottle. It has a slight oakiness, but does have some solid buttery notes. A slightly more expensive choice would be the 2014 Sonoma Cutrer at $20 per bottle – you can find that in most grocery stores. It is slightly oakier and stronger, so would also do well against a sharper meal. If all else fails, Kendall Jackson Chardonnay (not the Reserve though – not worth the higher price) is, and always has been, a great staple at around $11 per bottle. If I ever had a child, I might name them Kendall or Jackson. I most likely wouldn’t name them Chardonnay.
Cabernet Sauvignon: You can’t go wrong with a Cabernet Sauvignon for Thanksgiving either. The 2014 Educated Guess may be worthy of turkey – while I noted some flight fruitiness to this smooth Cabernet, that would work well against a savory meal. You can find it for $20 per bottle in Tom Thumb. In addition, you could look at the 2014 Decoy Cabernet – more oaky, some fruit, but would complement well. You can find it in most grocery stores for $19 per bottle.
Blended Red Wine: Blended families or wines are always good to have around. I would recommend the Chateau St. Jean Cinq Cepages (any year), but you must really like the people with whom you share it. That blend is around $50 per bottle.
Whatever you do this week, give thanks. Happy Thanksgiving!