Tasted: What to serve with Thanksgiving Turkey

By / Wine + Drinks / October 2nd, 2014 / Like

Have you bought your turkey yet?

A little more than a week away, Thanksgiving is our unofficial ‘welcome back’  to Autumn. Many of us will host family and friends – or be hosted – and feast away our day. But, with a table full of different palates, what wine would be best served with with your bird? Or, what can you bring to your host that will impress? Here are a few of our suggestions:

RED

Nicolas Potel Beaune 1er cru Les Bressandes 2009

Reviewed by: Gilles Bois
Editor Rating: Very Good
$35
Burgundy, France

Review Summary:
Light ruby. Delicate nose of small red fruits, earthy notes opening to more precise strawberry and a touch of oak. Silky, only light to medium bodied, but good fruit precision. Ready to drink. The price is reasonable but you might expect more from the great 2009 vintage.

The People’s Pinot Noir 2010

Reviewed by: Rick VanSickle
Editor Rating: Very Good
$17
Central Otago, New Zealand

Review Summary:
This cleverly packaged Pinot shows ripe red fruits, a note of earthy underbrush, campfire smoke, cedar and spice. It is velvety smooth on the palate with rustic red fruits, and soft tannins through the finish.

Boekenhoutskloof The Wolftrap Syrah/Mourvèdre/Viognier 2011

Reviewed by: Tony Aspler
Editor Rating: Very Good
$14
Western Cape, South Africa

Review Summary:
The blend of these Rhône grapes produces a deep ruby-coloured wine with a nose of blackberries and black olives. The full-bodied savoury taste of blackberries with an iodine note fills the mouth.

WHITE

Robert Mondavi Chardonnay 2009

Reviewed by: Sean Wood
Editor Rating: Very Good
$30
Napa Valley, California

Review Summary:
Two-thirds fermented in French barriques, partial malolactic fermentation and sur-lie aging has produced highly focused, bright, clean citrus fruit, well-poised balance and a subtle touch of lemon butter on the finish.

Chateau St Jean Fumé Blanc 2010

Reviewed by: Sean Wood
Editor Rating: Excellent
$20
Sonoma, California

Review Summary:
Interesting, complex bouquet reveals citrus, apple, subtle smoky/buttery overtones with a pinch of spice. Crisp citrus and green apple flavours on mid-palate shift to lightly honeyed peach on the finish.

Quinta da Aveleda Loureiro Alvarinho 2011

Reviewed by: Tony Aspler
Editor Rating: Very Good
$10
Vinho Verde, Portugal

Review Summary:
Alvarinho is the same grape as Albariño, which is grown across the border in Spain’s Rias Baixas region. The wine is very pale in colour with a lime tint. Minerally, spring flowers, lemon peel and white peach on the nose; dry, elegant, grassy-herbal and citrus flavours; light and crisply dry with a light spritz. Great value at the price.

SPARKLING

Cornellana Brut NV

Reviewed by: Ron Liteplo
Editor Rating: Very Good
$14
Chile

Review Summary:
Pale yellow with plenty of bubbles. Interesting nose of pastry dough, Granny Smith apple, citrus and ripe bananas. Surprisingly full-bodied with crisp acidity, lemon and orange flavours and a hint of peach.

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