We interrupt our regularly scheduled blog of day 3 of Austria to share our most recent wine class findings "What Wine to pair with Thanksgiving Dinner". Chef Matt Hughes of Blue Water Grill roasted a special Turkey for us and prepared savory stuffing, creamy maple sweet potatoes and tart cranberry sauce. I picked a handful of wines from our cellar and we tasted them with our food. Before sharing the results I have some basic thoughts to consider when pairing wine for your own thanksgiving feast.
1. Wine is made to enjoy, drink and savor. There is no point in buying wine according to my recommendation if you prefer something entirely different.
2. Considering that you will have many different palates to please at your table, it is best to choose wines that are versatile.
3. The holidays are festive and one way to keep them affordable and fun is to try esoteric grapes, lesser known wine regions or producer off the beaten path.
3. Stay away from wines with alot of tannins or wines with too much oak and alcohol. Stuffing yourself will make you tired enough so wine should be refreshing and have good acidity.
4. Turkey isn't the only component to consider, remember the side dishes and pair wines to complement.
Are wines were as follows:
1. Jacques Lasssaigne, Champagne NV- we liked this wine on its own but thought it had a little too much acidity. If the Turkey was deep fried with more salt, Champagne would be perfect.
2. Peter Jacob Kuhn Riesling Trocken, Rheingau 2007-This was one of our top wines. We liked the way the ripe apricot and nectarines made the turkey taste more flavorful and the earthiness in the wine was enhanced by the savory notes in the stuffing.
3. Foreau Clos Naudin, Vouvray Sec 2006-The wine was definetely enhanced by the food and became brighter and showed more grilled pineapple notes than it did on its own. We didn't choose it as one of our top favorites b/c it didn't enhance the food. We felt that it tried to steal the show a little bit.
4. Wimmer-Czerny, Gruner Veltliner Alte Reben Weelfel, Wagram 2007- This was another of our top favorites because of its versatility and uniqueness. We felt it would go great with the vegetable dishes served at thanksgving and the mandarin fruit complemented the turkey.
5. Baur, Pinot Gris, Herrenweg, Alsace 2006-This wine is great for people who enjoy Pinot Grigio as it is the same grape. Since it comes from a warmer area in France you get more concentration of fruit to match the intensity of the sweet side dishes. Pairing with the maple sweet potatoes brought out the clove and nutmeg in the wine.
6. Remelluri, Grenache Blanc, Rioja 2005- Another great wine for serving on its own as an alternative to Chardonnay. We just felt the oak overwhelmed the Turkey and when paired with the sweeter side dishes all you tasted in the wine was the oak. We would love to taste this with grilled lobster or buttery mashed potatoes.
7. Furst, Spatburgunder, Franken, Germany 2005- Pinot Noir from Germany was exciting to us as an alternative to a more expensive Burgundy. We liked how the ripe red fruits came to life and the acidity and lack of tannins in the wine made it a perfect pairing. Not many guests will know that Spatburgunder is a synonym for Pinot Noir so it will be a great opportunity to share something new with them.
8. I Luberri, Finca Los Merinos, Rioja 2003- We wanted a slightly modern Rioja to pair with the maple sweet potatoes. This one had the perfect combination of mocha and savory herbs. It had enough body for those that like rich wines with a tart acidity that made the cranberry sauce pop. Everyone agreed that this was the best red wine.
9. Tour St Michel Deux Souers, Chateauneuf-du-Pape 2007- The blend of grapes in Chateauneuf-du-Pape make for a crowd pleasing and versatile wine. The savory notes and rich figs with tart red cranberries paired nicely with everything.
10. Juan Gil, Monastrell, Jumilla 2007- This is an extremely great value with a beautiful label and a delicious wine. We loved the figs and plums and felt the finish was long and lingering yet didn't overpower the food. Anyone who likes Red Zinfandel would love this wine
While there were a lot of styles and profiles of wine that we tried we couldn't try them all and know that there are many great wines to be thankful for and to share with friends and family. Have a Happy Thanksgiving and enjoy what ever you choose.
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