We’re Toasting: Thanksgiving on The Broadcast

You know you are making a turkey, and probably have your side dishes set (or at least the recipes in mind,) but what to pair with all those delicious flavors? Today on The Broadcast we walked through a handful of ideal wines for pairing next week. I will have a full assortment of recipe ideas up tomorrow as well, if you are still trying to figure out if you should go with butternut squash soup or a roasted root vegetable salad, Brussels sprouts with bacon or balsamic, and mashed potatoes or polenta. With that in mind, put these wines on your shopping list.

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Domaine Carneros Ultra Brut Sparkling Wine – The perfect way to start the holiday is with a glass of bubbly, with Domaine Carneros in Napa Valley making some of the very best, traditional method sparkling wine from the classic varieties of Champagne. Their Ultra Brut is aged four years prior to disgorgement, creating a well rounded sparkler with very little residual sugar, which I love, for a super crisp, balanced and refreshing wine that is ideal as an aperitif to stimulate the palate. $39, via their website

Gloria Ferrer Blanc de Noir Sparkling Wine, 100% Pinot Noir made in the traditional method that is a little bit richer and more robust than some Rose sparklers, so it is ideal for serving with food, yet also light and fresh so it can be enjoyed on its own.  $20 at Pogo’s

Brooks Winery Willamette Valley Riesling – An ideal food wine, a super dry, earthy, fresh flower and herb filled Riesling from the southern part of Willamette Valley that will pair with anything from light salads to hearty roasted poultry and game. $20, via their website.

Abbazia di Novacella Gruner Veltliner – I spoke about the wines of Alto Adige last week and this is another, special white wine that is very dry, yet also fruit filled, juicy and lively, with great acidity, ideal for serving as a starter with anything from creamy pumpkin soup to a hearty roasted autumn veggie salad. $24 at La Cave Wine Warehouse.

Van Duzer Rose of Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley – Pinot Noir is the ideal wine of Thanksgiving, here made into a light, fresh, citrus and berry filled Rose with great acidity, bright fruit and a touch of earthiness, perfect for drinking from the start to the end of the day. $20, via their website.

Pillow Road Russian River Pinot Noir – If your stuffing includes mushrooms, chestnuts or your bird is roasted with truffle butter, from one of Napa Valley’s favorite families who also own Ladera, the Stotesburys bought their Pillow Road vineyard in 2006, dedicated to producing balanced, earthy, cherry and berry filled Pinot Noir in one of the best places to produce the variety, Russian River. Pinot Noir is a perfect go to for Thanksgiving. $50, via their website.

Ravenswood Old Hill Zinfandel if your bird is fried and your sides are hearty then a spicy, jammy and fruit filled Zinfandel is a go to. Ravenswood Old Hill Zinfandel from highly concentrated, low yielding old Zinfandel vines adds the great layer of peppery spice to the natural fruitiness of the grape to make it an ideal food wine for the holiday. $60 at Total Wine and More.

Domaine de Cabasse Casa Bassa – A Rhone blend is ideal for serving with Thanksgiving as the food friendly wines have an Old World subtlety, with richness, allowing the flavors to meld harmoniously. If your bird, and Brussels sprouts, are wrapped in bacon this smoky, spicy Syrah and Grenache Rhone blend from vineyards located about an hour outside of Avignon in Seguret is perfect. Lush, juicy and delicious. $18 at Spec’s.

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