Any ideas .... wine for Thanksgiving (this year)? Pinot Noir, Reisling, Beaujolais nouveau...?
Personally, I'd never turn down a good riesling when I found one. That said, in my experience, there's no better crowd unifier than a pinot grigio. True, they can be a bit bland, but I've never met ANYONE who objects to their taste.
Any particulars Scott? Reisling? Pinot Grigio? Looking in the 8-12.00 range.
I couldn't tell you off the top of my head, but when I head to the liquor store Thursdayish, I'd definitely be able to update you. I'm not a huge wine drinker myself, but there's one brand of pinot grigio that I love, at $13.00 for a liter and a half (NYC prices, which I would think would be lower elsewhere).
For a white cocktail wine that's a change of pace from the usual chards and s. blanc, try Greco di Tufo, an Italiano that's refreshingly different. Everyone likes it, and it's not one of those oak-tasting wines that overwhelm.
For the turkey (or chicken, duck, or whatever) meal itself, I took the NY Times recommendation a decade ago and now always serve a nice California Zinfandel -- an elegant and respectable red whose rep has been tarnished by "white Zinfandel," a trashy semi-sweet, headache-inducing white beverage not remotely related (and to me, not even wine.)
I agree 100% with the Zinfandel rec. It is a delicious, slightly lighter red, and California produces great ones (in Italy, it's called Primitivo - it's the same grape).
Ravenswood is a solid California producer (I recommend their Zinfandel, but also their Cabernet). Absolutely delicious and a total bargain - Trader Joe's has them for between $8.99-$11.99 - and they can be found at almost any wine store.
As a strictly red drinker, I can also recommend these, if you can find them:
Cantina Zaccagnini Montepulciano D'Abruzzo - $11.00
Apollonio Copertino - MAJOR crowd-pleaser but harder to find - $12.00
A good Margeaux would be tasty also.
Pinot Noir pairs very well with turkey.
I lean towards Pinots, C****nays and Syrahs. I recently found a good C****nay/Viognier wine. "Herding Cats" from the Western Cape. Inexpensive and tasty.
Broadway Legend Joined: 3/29/05
On the Zinfandel line of thought, also try the Ravenswood Zinfandel - it retails for about $10 and is a nice smooth wine to have on hand, especially at the holidays. I usually have this around at Thanksgiving because it's not too expensive (10 people coming for Thanksgiving this year) and pairs nicely with turkey.
If you feeling splurge-like, try the Duckhorn Vineyards Paraduxx. It's a Cabernet blend that retails for about $50, but it is like velvet.
For Pinot Grigio, Santa Margarita is lovely. Retails for about $25. The Mezzacorona is about $10-$15 and does nicely. Most Pinot Grigios are pretty smooth and easy to drink in general.
And I'm not usually a big C-onnay fan, but I do love the Sonoma Cuterer Les Pierres. Another one I only get once in a while due to price, but it's very nice.
Not sure if they have a Best Cellars store where you live. It's a wine store at which every bottle is under $15 or so. And they have some really fantastic wines -- all divided by flavor so it's easy to choose one. Lots of fun.
ETA: Oops! I didn't see Love4Cheno's full post on the Ravenswood rec before I posted a similar rec. See, now you know it's a good coice - two recommendations. :)
Updated On: 11/7/07 at 01:12 PM
peach- we have exquisite taste.
:)
Personally, I really like the Bolla Pinot Grigio and Soave
GATO NEGRO BITCH!!!
Hahahaha Gato Negro is what i drank as a poor college student! I used to save the plastic cats and hang them as trophies from my doorknob.
Oh how I miss the plastic kitties. When ya heard the clickin', the good times start a-tickin'.
My college wine was Ernest and Julio Gallo's divine Cafe Zinfandel which, tragically, they no longer produce. It truly wasn't that far down the road from cranberry juice.
Cafe Zinfandel- love it. Almost as classy as Chateau Diana, stocked by Gristede's. Almost.
Thanks for all the recommendations...who knew BWW had so many oenophiles!
Also, Greg Norman (The golfer) has a nice C****nay (Victoria C****nay) from his Australian Estates. Sells for about $13.00 a bottle here in Denver. Really good wine. I have yet to try his others. He has vinyards in Australia and Californina.
I just got hooked on a California wine from Cable Car Cellers. They have a "Red Wine" and a "White Wine". Both are really good and inexpensive. And My best friend and I celebrated the release of the Beaujolais yesterday. Georges Duboeuf is my favorite. (I am drinking a glass now and listening to the BCEFA channel on AccuRadio!) Primeur Beaujolais Villages Nouveau is also good. Tried it for the first time this year. Cheers dahlings!
My $10.00 faves: Castle Rock 2005 Pinot Noir (Calif)
Rosemount 2005 Shiraz (Australia)
Avalon 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon (Calif)
I drank Rosemount for a while but can't drink it anymore.
LOL @ Gato Negro! Ugh!
The dude that owns the wine store near my house said that a dry Reisling (who knew? I thought they were all sweet) goes well with turkey.
And yes, I agree a zin or pinot noir would be nice for a red.
I found an inexpensive pinot noir called coastal vines. It is a very light, pinot and at under 11 dollars a bottle it is a great find.
Pinot Noir goes well with everything.
I'm surprised that you aren't shilling it on your web site.
I agree Corine! Pinot Noir is my favorite. my favorite is Premiat from Romania but my liquor store doesn't sell it anymore.
Videos