Any one else a little jarred that Thanksgiving is less than two weeks away? Wasn’t it just summer? And now it’s Christmas? Help!
You can start planning out your Thanksgiving feast and guest list whenever you please, but I think we can agree that things don’t start heating up until mid-November.
Sure, you might have locked in some visitors or some travel plans, as you would, I don’t know, in any other year that wasn’t this last, but now the pressure is on: who is making the turkey, what are the sides, and what delicious things will we drink?
Luckily, we have a whole article today on the latter.
We hope the below is helpful as you dive into all the planning that lies ahead this month!
TO START
Whether you’re captaining the kitchen, manning the oven, setting the table (every job is important, here!), or showing up to a friend or family member’s with preparations already in-process — bubbles are always a good way to start.
- Pierre Gimonnet & Fils 1er Cru Blanc de Blancs Brut
- Domaine de la Taille Aux Loups [Jacky Blot] Triple Zero Rosé
- Carboniste Pinot Grigio Pet Nat Extra Brut
- Murgo Brut Rosé Metodo Classico 2019
- Raventós i Blanc ‘de Nit’
Take it from Gabe Clary, VP of Champagne, Germany, and Austria, who shared this important tip last year:
OTHER PRO TIP, AS WE MOVE ONTO DINNER:
Turkey, stuffing, and mashed potatoes call for lifted medium reds and richer whites. Red wines that don’t wear you out and white wines that refresh.
WHITE WINES WITH DINNER
Chardonnay is always an excellent option, but a great single vineyard Grüner loves roasted brussels sprouts, and we’re not NOT drinking Chenin if it makes its way to the table…
- Cristom Chardonnay ‘Eola-Amity Hills’ 2019
- Schloss Gobelsburg Ried Renner 1 ÖTW Kamptal DAC Grüner Veltliner 2019
- Domaine Frantz Chagnoleau Saint-Veran ‘Prelude’ 2020
- Domaine Coursodon Vin de France Blanc ‘Etincelle’ [Viognier and Roussanne] 2019
- David & Nadia Sadie Chenin Blanc 2019
RED WINES WITH DINNER
Pinot Noir, Syrah, lighter reds are on the table for the turkey, followed by excellent Rieslings. If you feel like you want to go big here, check out the Zinfandel from Green & Red!
- Domaine des Marrans Fleurie ‘Les Marrans’ 2019
- Raúl Pérez Bierzo Tinto, ‘Ultreia St. Jacques’ 2018
- Sottimano Barbera d’Alba Superiore ‘Pairolero’ 2019
- Huia Vineyards Pinot Noir 2016
- Green & Red Zinfandel ‘Chiles Canyon’ 2018
RIESLING TO KEEP US SANE
Something light and bright to bring us back.
- Selbach-Oster Zeltinger Himmelreich Riesling Kabinett Halbtrocken 2019
- Kofererhof Riesling Valle Isarco 2019
- Ravines Riesling ‘Argetsinger Vyd’ 2017
- Vignoble du Reveur Alsace Blanc ‘Vibrations’ 2019
- Best’s Great Western Riesling 2021
POST-DINNER, BUT PRE-PIE
Ideas for that Thanksgiving intermezzo occurring before desert. If you need to get out for some air or a walk we won’t tell anyone what you’ve got in the thermos.
- Domaine Marcel Deiss Alsace Cru Blanc ‘Grasberg’ 2016
- Schloss Lieser Brauneburger Juffer Riesling Kabinett 2020
- Mullineux Straw Wine 2020
- Contini Vernaccia di Oristano ‘Flor’ 2016
- Churchill’s 20-Year-Old Tawny Port
- Neat Amaro: Petrus Boonekamp
SPIRITS & PIE
Pies call for coffee or something stronger.
- Black Diamond Cider ‘Porter’s Pommeau’
- Williams Pear Eau de Vie, Hans Reisetbauer
- Abbazia di Novacella Praepositus Moscato Rosa
- Boulevardier
- Contratto Fernet
FOR THE CLEANUP CREW
A stashed bottle that makes doing the dishes less of a chore and might win you a helper or two.
- Champagne Doyard Vendemiaire 1er Cru Blanc de Blancs Brut NV
- Mouzon-Leroux ‘L’Atavique Tradition’ Extra-Brut
- Caraccioli Brut Cuvee ‘Santa Lucia Highlands’
- Huia Vineyards Blanc de Blancs 2017
- La Rioja Alta Rioja Gran Reserva, ‘904’ 2011
Good luck! May your Thanksgiving planning group text provide a momentary-but-necessary respite to all the bustle that is November, may it be productive (remember the three questions above: turkey, sides, wine), and above all, delicious.
