vin-d-alsace-bioThanksgiving is right around the corner and it’s time to start thinking about the menu and wine pairings! With so many wines in the market, picking just a few can be very stressful whether you are having guests over, or attending someone’s feast. Have no fear, because Somm In The City is here with your Thanksgiving wine guide to get you through this happy holiday!

Hosting Thanksgiving

272845Bubbles: a great starter wine to serve as people arrive. This gives guests time to settle in, grab a snack, and toast to the holiday. 

Sant’ Arturo Prosecco: This fun bubbly is from Lombardy, Italy and is well balanced and elegant with a pop of citrus and minerality. Perfect to begin the Thanksgiving festivities at a price approachable quality wine that your guests will enjoy as much as you will! Pair this with cheeses or make into brunch mimosas! $14.99

Tommasi Filodora Prosecco: Glera is the traditional grape for Prosecco and this elegant wine is wonderful for those seeking something bubbly and fun for the holidays but with some finesse and citrus forward notes. This one makes for the perfect aperitif for any Thanksgiving celebration! $14.99

kir-yianni-akakies-sparkling-2011_1024x1024Akakies Sparkling Rosé: Unleash your inner Greek God/Goddess self with this beautiful pink bubbly! Made from 100% Xinomavro, this wine is bright and juicy with aromas of strawberry, raspberry, and terroir. This one is fun when paired with a big juicy turkey leg, however if you decide to pop this one earlier than dinner, it pairs great with charcuterie, cheesy puff pastry twists, and tortellini skewers!  $18.99

2011 Vignoble des 2 lunes Crémant d’Alsace: A sparkling wine from Alsace, France. This fun bubbly is made with the Auxerrios grape varietal and is complex yet traditional. This wine pairs great with seafood and cheeses, so break out this bubbly if you are having shrimp cocktail, oysters, or a cheeseboard. $22

Whites: It’s always good to have a white or two out on the table for those who seek something crisp and refreshing, or buttery and oaky.  

tomgorevineyards-chardonnay-nv_bottle-shot2015 Tom Gore Sauvignon Blanc: Light straw in color, opening with bright citrus, lime and tangerine aromas, this wine has crisp acidity with a touch of minerality. It will complement many traditional Thanksgiving favorites like turkey with cranberry sauce or string bean casserole. $15

2015 Tom Gore ChardonnayIntense aromas of ripe apple and pear, complemented by notes of brown spice and toasted oak. This ones for your California Chardonnay loving guests and makes a great sipper to pair with Thanksgiving dishes. The wine’s creamy texture and long, full finish make it a satisfying with creamy potato sides, chicken, and macaroni and cheese. $15

image002-242014 Guigal Côtes du Rhône Blanc: This wine is fresh, rich, and complex, offering aromas of white flowers, apricot, and white peach. Serve this dry white with appetizers, grilled fish, or spicy vegetable dishes. $15 

Fernando Pighin & Figli: Pinot Grigio Friuli Grave 2015This wine is a great option to start off the evening and drink through dinner. The Old World Italian wine pairs perfectly with seafood, soft cheeses, vegetarian dishes and of course turkey. This medium-bodied Pinot Grigio has aromas of white fruit and minerality from the Friuli Grave terroir. This wine is light and refreshing, leaving room to taste the many dishes served during the holiday. $17.99

Reds: Everyone loves a food friendly red. This year surprise guests with something they’ll love that will pair with everything on the table!

bot-hlhcrianza-20132013 Lopez de Haro Crianza: This Tempranillo is wonderfully aged in oak for at least 18 months (Crianza) with intense but attractive tannins, dark fruit, and nice spice. Medium bodied and full of personality, this wine expresses a lot of violet and baking spice. Perfectly paired with pecan, pumpkin, or sweet potato pie! $15

2013 Lopez de Haro Gran Reserva: Produced with Tempranillo, Garnacha Tinto, and Graciano, this wine is aged in French oak barrels and is a soft expression of these wonderful Spanish grape varietals. Fruit characters complimented by oak and cask make this wine very well balanced and perfect when paired with cheeses, charcuterie, and chorizo heavy frittatas (for Thanksgiving brunch). $18

2014 Heinrich Zweigelt: Certified biodynamic, this light-bodied red from the warmer Burgenland region of Austria shows ripe red fruit, with a hint a spice and loads of charm. Pair this with turkey and all the trimmings! $20 

main_variation_na_view_01_204x400-1Dave Phinney “F” Location: “F” incorporates a blend of Grenache, Syrah, and assorted Bordeaux varietals from some of the best regions in France. Highlghting the network of grape growers from Rhone, Roussillon, and Bordeaux. Barrel aged for 10 months prior to release, this wine expresses raspberry, rhubarb, and wild strawberry complimented by tobacco and floral aromas. $18.99

Dave Phinney “E” Location: “E” location wine highlights Spain, specifically the Tempranillo, Grenache/Garnacha, Monastrell, and Carignan grapes. Using low yielding old vines from Priorat, Toro, Rioja, and Ribera del Duero, this wine is barrel aged for 10 months image003-17and full of black plums, spice, and tobacco. On the palate this wine is very silky and can be enjoyed with the entire Thanksgiving meal. $18.99

2013 Maison Louis Jadot Bourgogne Pinot Noir:Louis Jadot’s affordable red Burgundy is a classic Thanksgiving wine pairing. It is a versatile wine that complements many meats and soft cheeses like Camembert and Brie. The 2013 vintage produced mature wines with intense aromas of red cherries, black blackberries, blackcurrants. Its well-integrated tannins are supported by a vibrant freshness in the finish. $19.99

2012 Guigal Crozes-Hermitage Rouge: Aromas of strawberries, raspberries and spice are followed on the palate by darker, cassis fruit. It is a large, tannic wine with plenty of freshness and refined tannins from the extended aging. Pair this with meat, mushrooms, and mashed potatoes with lots of gravy! $25

Attending: A Gift For The Host/Hostess

Bubbles: A perfect gift for every occasion! $22.00-$50.00+

camille-braun-bottle-shotDomaine Camille Braun Crémant d’ Alsace Brut NV: Made with Pinot Auxerrios and Pinot Blanc grapes, this beautiful bubbly has a fine mousse with bright citrus flavors, brioche, and crisp apple. Only 1,000-1,200 cases are produced of this wine/year so it certainly is a budget friendly but special gift to give when attending someone’s Thanksgiving Day feast. $22

Laurent-Perrier Brut NV: A beautiful Champagne with fine bubbles and a lot of elegance. Very price friendly for excellent Champagne, with a fresh and delicate nose showing some complexity with hints of citrus and white fruit. laurent-perriercuveerose-1-_credit-thibault-jeansonPerfect for celebrating the holidays, and makes for a food friendly bubbly to pop during dinner or dessert. $49.99

Laurent Perrier Cuvée Rosé: 100% Pinot Noir from 12 Crus, made in a winery dedicated solely to its production. This is one of the most recognized rosé Champagne’s in the world, and your host or hostess will be very appreciative if you bring a bottle of this! If they decide to open it during the evening, it’ll pair nicely with appetizers, sweet potato casserole, and chocolate pecan pie. $99.99

Whites: Whites make a great gift during the holiday season and can be very price approachable, appreciated, and celebratory!

SEQUOIA GROVE final final22014 Sequoia Grove Chardonnay: This Napa Valley Chardonnay is delicate with lychee and citrus zest on the nose. A hand harvested wine, that has a fruit forward and yeasty finish makes this chardonnay unique and great as a gift. $28

Reds: There’s a red wine for everyone, so don’t be shy about bringing someone a light and fruity or big bold red to celebrate the holiday season!

2413862013 Limerick Lane Zinfandel: Sourced from Zinfandel vines from the 1900’s, this Russian River wine is undeniably special and unique. Zinfandel is definitely a wine you want in your cellar, as they can age for a very long time, and are fun to bring out on a cold winter night and sip by the fire (this one in particular). This wine is very price approachable for the quality and makes for a great gift for the host/hostess. $42

ontanon-reserva2013 Craggy Range Te Muna Road Pinot Noir: This dense but elegant wine offers black fruit, floral, and spice aromas. Silky and layered with fine tannins, berry, and violets, this wine will pair beautifully with bbq, desserts, and can also age in their cellar if they choose to. $44.99

2012 Bodega Ontañon Crianza:  This is a best pick for those who love all of Thanksgiving and can’t choose between the courses. Those that enjoy wine as much as they enjoy food need this wine because it’s elegant, full of dark fruit, and very enjoyable with appetizers, desserts, and everything in between! $46

image002-232011 Casisano Brunello di Montalcino: This is the first of it’s vintage brought over by the Tommasi Family and is produced from a small, terraced vineyard on an historic estate in Montalcino, Tuscany. This collectible wine is aged for 3 years in large Slavonian oak casks, followed by 4 months in bottle, resulting in a deep garnet wine with notes of dark fruit, gently spiced tobacco, and vanilla flavors. $60.00

2012 Alexander’s Crown, Single Vineyard, Cabernet Sauvignon: This wine exhibits ripe favors of black cherry, plum, and violet. A full bodied mouthfeel that can age on and one… however if consumed within the year it’s absolutely beautiful with a long lingering finish. The touch of mocha flavor on the finish makes this wine pair-able with sweet potato casserole, dark meat, and creamy sides! $75-79

 

Always remember eat what you like and drink what you love… please pair responsibly!