So let's talk turkey for a minute - Thanksgiving is the #1 wine-drinking day in the USA, so we've teamed up with Independent Wine Consultant Eryn Cadoff from The Traveling Vineyard who's helping break down the ABC's of Thanksgiving Wine drinking:
A = Alsace. Even though we're talking about an American holiday, savvy wine drinkers around the world know the secret the French know - the best white wine bargains in the world are the white wines of Alsace.
"The white wines of Alsace are fantastic choices for the flavors of Thanksgiving," comments Cadoff. "In fact, 2/3 of the white wine consumed in France comes from Alsace. Look for Alsatian Riesling, Pinot Blanc, and Cremant d'Alsace for bubbly!"
- 2005 Engel Riesling - great as an aperitif, or with the meal itself, this wine was made for Thanksgiving!
- 2005 Louis Reffelingen Pinot Blanc - this wine just begs to be paired with butternut squash soup, roasted acorn squash, or even sweet potatoes.
B = Beaujolais. This French wine region is technically a part of Burgundy, but has a character all its own.
"Beaujolais wines are made from 100% Gamay grapes - a fun, fresh, fruity red that is wonderful with any Thanksgiving meal, and fruit-forward enough even for white wine drinkers," added Cadoff.
C = California. For Thanksgiving, an exclusively American holiday, we couldn't leave out American wine! And California leads the pack, accounting for a whopping 94% of US wine production.
Great varietals for Thanksgiving? Try a Zinfandel on the red side, and a Chardonnay on the white.
- 2005 Blair Family Estate Zinfandel - with some of the heartier sides on the Thanksgiving table - like the roasted garlic mashed potatoes or the stuffing (or is it dressing?) Depends who you ask, but the debate rages on at our family gathering every year.
- 2005 Blair Family Estate Chardonnay - not too oaky, not overly toasty, but just right - and really great with the green bean casserole Aunt Betty brings every single year!
About Eryn Cadoff
Eryn Cadoff, an Independent Wine Consultant with The Traveling Vineyard conducts in-homewine tastings in Northern Virginia and DC. When not at tastings, she's a stay-at-home-mom/taxi to her 3 and 5 year old daughters. Learn more about Eryn's adventures in wine and mommyhood by following her on twitter: http://www.twitter.com/TTVWineGal.
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