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Choosing Perfect Wines for Thanksgiving
When I did a
search on the internet for pairing wine with Thanksgiving Dinner, I
found virtually every wine from virtually every region suggested by the
so-called "gurus" and "experts". In fact, one guy suggested a wine with
every dish -- a wine for the stuffing, one for the turkey, one for the
cranberry sauce, etc. etc.
The problem
with all this “perfect wine” talk is that each cook prepares their
Turkey using different spices, herbs, sauces, wines, and other "secret"
ingredients. Also, Americans tend to serve their Thanksgiving Dinner
with a host of dishes that have a wide range of textures and flavors.
My only
specific suggestion would be to begin the afternoon festivities with a
Champagne or sparkling wine. These wines always seem to set a happy and
celebratory mood as well as giving us a zesty and refreshing beverage
that compliments many appetizers.
Since turkey
is a rather neutral dish one can go for either a white wine, like a
unoaked chardonnay, or you can switch to a light red wine like a lovely
Beaujolais or Pinot Noir. You might even open a few bottles of the
Beaujolais Nouveau that will arrive on Nov. 17 in time for Thanksgiving.
Quick Tips:
Help connect
dishes to the specific wine by tasting a small amount of the wine as
you are finishing a sauce or side dish so the recipe can be "tweaked” to
maximum effect. If the wine seems too tannic or bitter for the dish, a
sprinkling of citrus zest or nuts can be added.
When using
wine in a sauce or marinade use a decent-quality wine and if possible
use the same varietal as will be matched with the dish. The wine for
cooking need not be the same exact wine, if you wish to drink a "better"
or different wine with the dinner.
"Try These from Our Wine List for Thanksgiving”
"Matching Wine & Complementary Ingredients for Thanksgiving"
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