Bird is the word! Thanksgiving and Wine

As turkey day draws near, it is time to be thankful, and of course pair some great wine with your feast! It is said that more than 95% of us will have a turkey for thanksgiving, so for the other 5%, send me a note with your menu and I will do my best to help you pair a wine. For the turkey aficionados, here are the pairing suggestions.

There are more ways to cook turkey than probably any other protein. Deep fry, smoked, slow roast, high heat cooking, indirectly grilled and the list goes on. My view of the pairing option, is be mindful of the sides.

If you are going traditional with sage stuffing, mashed potatoes and green bean casserole, I offer you two options. First, and what will be on my table, an Oregon Pinot Noir. The sweet notes of the wine and the round mouth feel, hit all the high notes on your pallet. If you want a transcendent experience try a good Oregon Pinot Noir with a slice of dark meat. A good second option is a Chardonnay with the traditional meal. I prefer French Chardonnay because the oak is understated, but if you like the full buttery flavor, this meal holds up exceptionally well to an oaked Chardonnay. You should expect to spend $50 for a good Pinot and between $25 – $40 for a Chardonnay.

What about the fried or smoked turkey? This takes us two different places. A lot of these types of birds get a deep Cajun type spice rub. If your stuffing is jalapeño and chorizo laden, you need to get a reisling or Sauvignon Blanc to pair with that flavor profile. These wines offer more residual sugar and acid and will keep the spicy rubs from exhausting your tastebuds. These wines should be under $40 regardless of which varietal you choose.

If you are having a smoked turkey with a tradional hardwood or fruitwood smoking, the best options would be Zinfandel(red) or a sparkling white wine. The smoked birds tend to have a stronger smoked flavor, but not always. If you have a lighter smoked turkey, (white meat does NOT have a pinkish hue) go with the Oregon Pinot Noir or Chardonnay route. These wines will set you back $30 for the Zinfandel and $50 for a good sparkling wine.

A final consideration is do you have some sides that may play a staring role? Are you having a vegetarian holiday? I love fall vegetables like the many varieties of squash and brussel sprouts. Yes I said brussel sprouts! If these are the lead actors in Thursday’s play, then I am suggesting a Bordeaux wine of either red or white. White Bordeaux wines are a great values and pair amazingly well with foods like acorn squash and roasted brussel sprouts. Plan to spend $60 for the red and $30 for the white.

My last word is splurge. This is a day where someone has spent days, not just hours making a special meal, so if you are the guest, the host, or the spouse, buy a nice bottle of two. Enjoy the holiday, cherish the company you spend it with and be thankful for all you have. Lastly, save me a slice of pie, with ice cream of course!