Thanksgiving: What To Drink

Choosing an appropriate wine for a traditional Thanksgiving dinner, with all its rich and varied components, can be a tricky thing.  There are a few different ways you can successfully go, but in the end, it's going to come down to personal preference.  If you're feeding a crowd, it's best to have some options.  The black pepper and mineral notes of a bold California Zinfandel provide a more interesting contrast than you might get from other, smoother reds.  My favorite is Storybook Mountain Vineyards Eastern Exposures Zinfandel.  For white, choose a Chardonnay that's not overly oaky, like Robert Mondavi Private Selection.

If you're a guest, consider bringing something a little more unexpected, like a sparkling wine.  Last year, I brought a sparkling dry rosé from Hesketh Wines which was unanimously loved.  A visually celebratory wine with a faint pink color, its dry effervescence provided some much-needed levity to the otherwise heavy and complex flavor profile of the meal.  And there's just something about bubbles that signals a special occasion.