Thanksgiving wine recommendations

Well folks, another year has gone by and time once again to make some Thanksgiving wine recommendations.

Thanksgiving pairings can be somewhat challenging given the variety of different dishes on the table. However, this makes for a good reason to get an assortment of wines (this can help with the relatives also).

Thanksgiving wines can run the gamut from sparkling to white, rosé, and red. Here, I’ll focus on rosé and red wines. In terms of rosés, I always recommend staying on the dry side. The Barnard Griffin 2009 Rose of Sangiovese ($12) is just the ticket for the holiday. The wine is visually appealing in the bottle with a light cherry red color. In the glass, it is loaded with fresh fruit flavors and has mouthwatering acidity.

In terms of reds, I generally recommend going with lighter bodied wines with a lot of fresh fruit and that hasn’t seen a whole lot of oak. I would also recommend staying away from wines that are strongly tannic.

Pinot Noir is always a Thanksgiving favorite. While this grape has somewhat bedeviled Washington winemakers, two I recommend for the holiday are the Syncline Wine Cellars 2008 Columbia Gorge Pinot Noir ($28) – which I believe to be the standard bearer for Washington Pinot – and Kyra Wines 2008 Pinot Noir ($18).

Two other wines from these wineries also deserve a place at this year’s Thanksgiving table. The first is a perennial favorite, the Syncline Cellars Subduction Red ($18). The 2009 offering is a Mourvedre-heavy Southern Rhone blend. The second is Kyra Wines 2009 Dolcetto ($18). A native grape to the Piedmont area, this is again a fresh fruit driven wine. I recommend serving the latter on the cooler side around 62 degrees.

If you’ve already got your wines all picked out for the occasion, leave a comment and let me know what you’ll be having.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Barnard Griffin Rose of Sangiovese Columbia Valley 2009 $12
Rating: * (Excellent) Light cherry red in color. An aromatic nose with bubble gum, ripe red cherries, strawberries, and watermelon. The palate is dry and crisp with mouthwatering acidity.

Kyra Wines Dolcetto Purple Sage Vineyard Wahluke Slope 2009 $18
Rating: + (Good) Nose shows light vanilla, red currant, and fresh red fruit. Taste is bright, full of fresh fruit, sour cherries, and a rounded mouthfeel. Finish improves at a slightly cooler temperature. 100% Dolcetto. Pressed into neutral barrels for fermentation. Bottled after 9 months. 14.2% alcohol. 118 cases produced. Sample provided by winery.

Syncline Subduction Red Columbia Valley 2009 $18
Rating: + (Good) A lightly aromatic nose with white pepper, red fruit, and spice. On the palate, full and round with a plush feel. 39% Mourvedre, 19% Counoise, 17% Syrah, 16% Grenache, 6% Cinsault, and 3% Carignan. 14.2% alcohol. 1,488 cases produced.

Previously Reviewed

Syncline Wine Cellars Pinot Noir Columbia Gorge 2008 $28

Kyra Wines Pinot Noir Washington State 2008 $18