Picture a classic Thanksgiving feast with a multitude of dishes and courses that feature ingredients, flavors, textures, herbs and spices of all sorts. Lots of planning, purchasing and preparation go into this classic and meaningful repast. That’s why I’m determined this year to make your wine parings easy, delicious, impressive and affordable (for less than $10) — you’re welcome.
Of course, not everyone wants to match five wines and that’s another beauty of these selections because any of them have the food-friendly profiles to cover multiple courses and still complement the food and festivities.
I’m determined this year to make your wine parings easy, delicious, impressive and affordable.
Let’s start with Prosecco. It not only makes food preparation more fun, but it also matches pre-feast finger foods well. The NV Conegliano comes from the high-quality Valdobbiadene area in Veneto, Italy. This sparkler is a dry Brut style with apricot flavors and a fine bead of bubbles that preps both the palate and the spirit for a celebration.
Rosé from ProvenceThe Torrontés grape from Argentina makes spicy, floral wines with distinctive melon and citrus flavors. The 2014 Amancay Torrontes La Rioja Valley Argentina is refreshing and bright; it plays well with salads, veggie sticks and appetizers such as chilled shrimp.
The 2015 Lacheteau Vouvray is a French Chenin Blanc with a mineral, white-peach palate. This will please guests with a preference for sweet, because it is slightly off, dry with enough acid energy for balance. Those components make it another versatile vino that will complement apps and more.
The main course traditionally features turkey, Tofurky or Turducken. Sides, such as sweet potatoes, mashers, gravy, cranberries and green beans, are just a few of the classic accompaniments one often sees at Thanksgiving. The flavors run the gamut from roasty toasty, to herby spicy and sweet tangy. What’s a wine aficionado to do?
The Prosecco and Vouvray are also excellent options for Thanksgiving dessert pies, such as pumpkin and apple that often grace holiday tables.
The wines featured here are all yummy examples of their types and producers. You can find great options of these wines by consulting your local wine-shop guru.
With five wonderful wines for your holiday repast for less than $10, you can afford to be generous and still impress your family and guests. Thanks giving, indeed.
