For Thanksgiving Wine, Think Paso Rhone

I’m not one to get excited about holidays, but Thanksgiving is one I can get behind. Part of my enjoyment comes from my love of food. I’ve befriended quite a few excellent cooks and have several in my family, so my Turkey day meal has never disappointed. I wish I could say the same thing about the wine served with those meals. I will readily admit, I am a bit of a wine geek, but you don’t have to be a wine geek to appreciate the extra level of enjoyment the right wine (or wines) can add to a meal.

Thanksgiving dinner is one of the rare times that many of us will sit down to a multi-course meal. Having a large group of eaters along with a variety of dishes is a prime opportunity for showcasing wine. Selecting a different bottle to match each course isn’t that hard to do. Unfortunately, in my experience, people don’t often seize the occasion.

I’ve sat down at many Thanksgiving tables where there are only two choices for wine – one being red and one being white. While the combinations have ranged from Sauvignon Blanc and Cabernet to Merlot and Pinot Gris, the most common pair I’ve seen is Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with having these varietals for Thanksgiving, but I get the feeling people choose them because they are familiar. This year, I’m lobbying people to break from the usual mold.

If you’re not as familiar with Rhone varietals like Viognier, Movendere, and Grenche (to name just a few), that’s no surprise. They haven’t quite made the impact on US wine drinkers as other French grapes. The reds tend to be lighter than Cabernet or Merlot, making them very well suited for Turkey. The whites, often have a round mouthfeel, like chardonnay, but deliver that texture without any heavy oak or vanilla flavors. Crisper, cleaner Rhone whites are great as an aperitif or with a first course salad. Lush, more floral interpretations can pair very well with your main turkey course, depending on how you prepare it. In short, the diversity offered by Rhone wines make them ideal for a meal like Thanksgiving.

Those in the know understand that Paso Robles is becoming the spot for producing Rhone-style wines in the States. You see, areas of Paso Robles are blessed with soil conditions that are very similar to the Rhone region, so they’ve got a leg up when it comes to growing the grapes. Now, obviously, you’ve got plenty of French options, but in this economy why not keep your dollars as local as you can? Plus, the quality of wine coming out of Paso just keeps getting better and better. So rather than choosing the same old familiar wines for your grand meal on Thursday, why not add a bit of excitement and variety? Rather than buying several bottles of only a couple wines, try changing your wine with each course. We’ll even show you how to pair the wines with your menu. Here’s to being different and seizing the occasion!

Aperitifs or Soup & Salad Course

Aperitifs

Sculpterra 2009 Viognier

Clayhouse 2009 Grenache Blanc

Arugula, Green beans, & toasted Pecan Salad with Goat cheese with a Dried Cherry Vinaigrette

Derby 2007 Fifteen10 White

Butternut Squash soup

Midnight Cellars 2008 Aurora Reserve White

Main Course

Turkey Tetrazzini

Per Cazo 2009 Tres Blanc

Glazed Roast Duckling