American Wines to Please Everyone’s Thanksgiving Palate

We’ve read about which wines pair with the multitude of Thanksgiving fare to be offered on Thursday. Yes, Pinot Noir is the classic complement to turkey and stuffing, savory vegetable dishes, and just about everything else on the table. And a glass of bubbly poured when people walk in the door is a brilliant beginning. But there are guests that may not like Pinot Noir (what??) or sparkling wine (just stop!). Try as we might, Aunt Mary will refuse to drink wine if it’s not Chardonnay and Grandfather Steve will tipple Cabernet Sauvignon from the first bite of an appetizer to the last morsel of dessert.

This year, forget the (often) under-appreciated task of pairing wine with food. Instead, complement the palate, not the Thanksgiving menu, of your family and friends. The following all-American choices, sent to me as samples, are quality-driven and delicious.

To be fair, these are just suggestions of popular varietals and not meant to be all-inclusive – each of us has favorites. When you can, drop me an email or comment below with your favorite wines that pair with those special people sitting at your table on Thursday.

Cheers to a Happy Thanksgiving, my friends.

For the White Wine Lover Who Will Only Drink White Wine

Enjoyed at a recent wine dinner in Chicago, I had the opportunity to sip Cakebread Cellars Napa Valley Sauvignon Blanc 2017 ($26), sure to please lovers of this noble grape. From Cakebread’s premium vineyards throughout Napa Valley, I found a wine that was fresh and crisp with aromas and flavors of melon, citrus, white flowers, and hint of minerality. Snappy acidity and a zesty finish were absolutely enjoyable from the first sip to the last.

I swirled and sipped Chehalem 2016 Three Vineyard Pinot Gris ($20) from Willamette Valley, Oregon with a good friend a couple of weeks ago. Fermented in stainless steel tanks and aged for six months on the lees, this wine boasted aromas and flavors of stone fruit such as peaches and pears with vibrant acidity, a bit of weight that was an unexpected surprise, and ripe fruit forward notes.

For those who love a mineral driven Chardonnay, Chehalem 2016 INOX Unoaked Chardonnay ($20) may be the one to satisfy. Aromas of stone fruit, white flowers, chamomile and the slightest hint of petrol led to flavors of wet stone, passion fruit surrounded by mouthwatering acidity. The crisp minerality that I love lingered on the palate…

This wine is for Aunt Mary who loves a Burgundian style Chardonnay. Scheid Vineyards 2016 Chardonnay Reserve SLH ($45) is from the Escolle Road Vineyard of the Santa Lucia Highlands appellation off California’s Monterey Bay. After fermentation, the wine was aged for 18 months in 100% French oak. Scheid’s Chardonnay Reserve program was developed to highlight a rich wine that is an expression of Monterey’s growing region. On the nose, I discovered notes of fresh citrus, tropical fruit, baking spice, and a touch of brioche. Lovely acidity, a rich, round mouthfeel, elegant fruit notes, and a lasting finish were memorable.

Someone Will Crave a Rosé – Guaranteed

If you are looking for a refreshing rose of Pinot Noir, I found it! Of 54% Pinot Noir, 40% Pinot Meunier and 6% Pinot Blanc, the Left Coast Estate Rosé 2017 ($24) from McMinnville in Oregon was aged in neutral French oak for four months before bottling. On the nose, a hint of stone fruit, black cherries, and spice wafted from the glass. Dry with bright acidity, the crisp, fruit forward Left Coast Estate Rosé offered flavors of red berries, jasmine, and ripe cherries.

From Napa vineyards, Benessere Vineyards Rosato di Sangiovese 2017 ($25) offered aromas of bright red berries, florals, and a tingle on the nose. My palate was alive with bright acidity, rhubarb, melon, and juicy red grapefruit flavors, and a touch of herbs. Chill this refreshing, crisp wine and enjoy!

Red Wines to Satisfy

What’s not to love about a red blend? I found Hidden Asset Lucas & Lewellen Estate Vineyards 2016 ($29) to be a delicious blend of Malbec, Merlot, Syrah, Petite Sirah, and Cabernet Franc aged for 16 months in French oak. From estate vineyards in Santa Barbara County, grapes were cultivated in Santa Maria Valley, Los Alamos Valley, and Santa Ynez Valley, then vinified by winemaker Megan McGrath Gates who has been crafting award-winning wines. And the wine? Rich and broad, I loved the elements of cherries, pomegranate, raspberries, cocoa, and a hint of spice on both the nose and palate. Just-right acidity and smooth-as-silk tannins framed this luscious red blend.

Pinot Noir lovers, this wine’s for you! Hess Select Pinot Noir 2016 ($20) is from grapes cultivated in selected vineyards on California’s Central Coast, especially those from the Sarmento Vineyard of the Santa Lucia Highlands in Monterey. Vivid aromas of lively red fruit including cherries and pomegranates and sweet spice were a mesmerizing entry. On the palate I found elements of ripe berries, dark plums, rose petals, baking spice, and vanilla surrounded by lovely acidity and well-integrated tannins.

The Hess Select Cabernet Sauvignon 2015 ($19) is considered a “go-to” Cabernet by winemaker Dave Guffy. I can see why… With a wallet-friendly price point and an easy going, delicious profile this wine is a keeper. Grapes of 79% Cabernet Sauvignon and Petite Sirah, Malbec, Syrah, Merlot, and Zinfandel were cultivated on vineyards on California’s North coast where rugged terrain and a mild Mediterranean climate help produce wines with beautiful fruit, bright acidity, and balanced tannins. On the nose, bright aromas of cherries, vanilla, and spice wafted from the glass. Smooth tannins and beautiful acidity wrapped around notes of earth, juicy blackberries, cassis, and cherries. Aged in French and American oak for 18 months, the Hess Select Cabernet Sauvignon 2015 was delightfully balanced.

When I tasted the Cakebread Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2015 ($68) at the aforementioned wine dinner in Chicago, I knew that this exceptional selection would satisfy every red wine drinker. From a variety of estate ranches and family owned vineyards throughout Napa Valley’s premium Cabernet Sauvignon appellations, grapes of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot, and Cabernet Franc offered notes of rich and ripe dark cherries, cassis, oak, herbs, and juicy black fruits on a foundation of dynamic acidity and firm tannic structure. The captivating finish emoted notes of minerality, spice, and more savory fruit… Each variety was aged six months in French oak barrels then the final blend spent 12 months in barrel before bottling.

Cheers! ~ Cindy