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Phil has taken one for the team and "researched" many wines to find the perfect ones for turkey and all the sides. Plus a few bonus whiskeys!
"As I say every year, it's very tricky to find just the right wine(s) to serve on Thanksgiving Day. Just look at it as a great excuse to try a bunch of different vino while having a great meal with family and friends. Our best holiday for sure. The list below will work well with turkey of course and all the various side dishes." - Phil Bernstein
My general rules:
- -No Sancerre please (nothing against Sancerre but it's just not right for this meal!)
- -Big oaky tannic reds don't work very well unless you are skipping the turkey and doing prime rib or duck instead
- -Riesling goes with everything (as does Gamay)
- -Did I mention no Sancerre?
Ok here we go:
2022 Clos De Nouys Vouvray Sec
All Sancerre (Sauvignon Blanc) jokes aside, the "other" Loire grape Chenin Blanc is one of the best pairings for Thanksgiving. This wine was "discovered" by one of our Bordeaux supplier partners actually and the sample bottle they sent me really impressed. Wonderful freshness and classic Chenin aromatics, quite outstanding. Drinks way above its price point. One of the oldest Domaines in the Vouvray AOC
| Sale $19.99 |
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2021 Dr. Wagner - Ockfener Bockstein Kabinett
If you know me at all, I'm sure you expected to see at least one Riesling on this list. 2021 was a great vintage for Kabinett (a throwback if you will in this age of big, ripe vintages). This is textbook Kabinett, a slight touch of fruitiness, nice racy texture and that signature green apple crunch. With it's low alcohol content, you can be confident that it won't conk you out either. Dr. Wagner is a great "old school" grower that really should get more love. Ockfener Bockstein is a Grand Cru vineyard in anyone's book and this is a steal at $20
| Sale $19.99 |
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2014 Vollenweider - Wolfer Goldgrube Spatlese
This is one of the more exciting new arrivals in the shop (for me at least!). Made by the late, great Daniel Vollenweider this is a library release from our friends at Vom Boden. 2014 was a bit like 2021-not super ripe and while this is a Spatlese (so it will be fruitier than the above Kabinett) a bit of bottle age has mellowed things out a bit. If yu have some real wine geeks coming to dinner this is an ideal choice
| Sale $49.99 |
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2022 Chateau Le Rey - Argileuses Castillon Cotes de Bordeaux
It may be a bit surprising to see a Bordeaux on the list but this isn't your typical claret. This belnd of 80/20 Merlot/Cab Franc is made (in their own words) to be "Burgundy meet Bordeaux". Very little use of new oak here and a wonderful lively character that makes this quite fun to drink. Really good stuff!
| Sale $19.99 |
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2023 Chateau Thivin - Cote de Brouilly
This Kermit Lynch staple has made my list many times over the years. Everything you want from a "Bojo"… elegance, aromatics, fresh crunchy fruit and pure class. This Domaine never disappoints. (p.s. we have a small amount of their 2021 top bottling the cuvee Zacchaire if you want to spluge)
| Sale $31.99 |
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2022 Francois Lumpp - Givry Clos Jus
If you want to splurge a bit and drink some classy Pinot Noir from Burgundy this is an outstanding choice. Lumpp is arguably the best grower in Givry and this hails from the outstanding 2022 vintage. Get at least two bottles as this is really tasty and your guests will talk you in to opening another one….
| Sale $59.99 |
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American Whiskey
One of my favorite things to do on Thanksgiving Day is to sit back, relax and have a nice glass or Bourbon or rye -usually watching the Cowboys embarrass themselves yet again on national TV! Here's a few recent favorites:
Jack Daniel's Barrel Proof RYE
(Store Pick 134.8 proof) Single Barrel Whiskey
Our team visited Lynchburg back in May and hand picked this barrel. It's simply fantastic and would make for an insane old fashioned or Manhattan.
| Sale $69.99 |
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Green River Wheated Bourbon Whiskey
The rage that is Weller and it's big brother Pappy made wheated whiskey all the rage. It's not easy to find one at this price. While I do enjoy all the Weller products they are very tough to find and they sell for way above MSRP (sadly). I'd put this up against the green label Weller any day of the week!
| Sale $34.99 |
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