November 23rd, 2007
In the weeks leading up to Thanksgiving there was countless discussion on how to pair wines with the feast. American wines only! Budget wines only! Stick with Pinot Noir! The list goes on. The most interesting part of all this buzz– as some have pointed out– is that virtually every type of wine made somebody’s list. There was little to no consensus on the best wines to pair with turkey, stuffing, cranberry sauce and all the fixins.
In my opinion, and as discussed on Lenn’s blog, it’s because the meal generally comprises a shmorgasboard of offerings of all textures and flavors. No wine is a perfect match for everything on the table. So, drink what you like!
Well now that all the turkeys have been carved, bottles opened, and waistbands put to the test… how did it all go down? I made a bit of an effort this year to actually remember some of what we had. There was certainly a lot, and even a few micro brews made it to the Strum household. Someone must have smuggled them in through the back door 
You’ll notice the myriad countries and grape varieties represented at our Thanksgiving feast. The U.S., France, Italy and Spain were all present. This is not a complete list, but gives you a flavor for what was served. I can’t remember everything!
Wines
- Spindrift Cellars Pinot Gris, 2006, Willamette Valley Oregon
- Chanson Pere et Fils, Domaine Chanson Pernard-Vergelesses Les Coradeux Premier Cru, 2004
- Gypsy Dancer Oregon Pinot Noir (Dundee Hills) 2005 A&G Estate
- La Chablisienne Chablis Grand Cru, Les Preuses 2004
- Rocca Family Vineyards Syrah 2003 Yountville, Napa Valley
- Planeta, Cerasuolo di Vittona 2006
- Gaudium Grand Vino 2002, Marques de Caceres Rioja Reserva
- Silverado Vineyards SOLO, 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon Stag’s Leap
- Silverado Vineyards SOLO 2003 Cabernet Sauvignon Stag’s Leap
- St. Francis Pagani Vineyard Reserve 2003 Sonoma Valley, Zinfandel
- J Lohr Late Harvest 2006 White Riesling, San Jose, California
Beer
Blue Moon Full Moon Winter Blend
Brooklyn Black Chocolate Stout
Saranac Pumpkin Ale
Enough about me, what did YOU drink on Thanksgiving?
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My husband and I drank Champagne, because it was our first anniversary. It was actually very crisp and refreshing with all of that heavy food.
My grandma wasn’t with us (so no “My Humps) but we had two great wines. Our white was a 2005 Selbach-Oster Zeltinger Sonnenuhr Riesling Kabinett and our red was a 2005 Domaine de la Chanteleuserie Bourgueil. While the Bourgueil probably would have been better in a couple years, it paired really nicely with our meal.
@foodette- congratulations! What a nice idea.
@Jeff C- aww, maybe you can purchase a karaoke machine for next year? I love Selbach Riesling, nice pick. I bet the Bourgueil was nice with turkey.
Thus proving that any wine goes with that Thanksgiving feast! From the Twisted column, a 2002 Syrah, a 2005 Petite Sirah, and a 2005 Syrah-Viognier. What else I remember included a 2000 Pauillac (didn’t write down which one), a 2000 Dominus, and a 2006 Acacia Chard…
Glögg (Mulled Wine). We took a dry burgundy added sugar, makers mark, cinnamon sticks, cloves, star anise, OJ and orange zest, then heated it up. It’s a great holiday drink.
same thing that happens every thanksgiving..i’m too hung from wednesday night’s festivities to even consider alcohol during thanksgiving dinner…
maybe next year i’ll try to practice a little more restraint…but yeah probabaly not.
We started with a bottle of Gloria Ferrar Blanc de Blancs, then had a bottle of Blanck Gewurztraminer and a bottle of Eroica on the table. All were huge hits, even among the beer lovers.
Manishevitz and Pinot Grigio…not a joke.
We drank Champagne, because it was very temptationly