Thanksgiving dinner would not be the same without both a bottle of white wine and a bottle of red wine. Well-matched wines will enhance the pleasures of the traditional Thanksgiving feast. Happily, Pennsylvania has a bountiful selection from which to choose.
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| | Dave DeSimone is a member of the Society of Wine Educators and the American Wine Society. He can be heard on KQV Radio (1410 AM) Monday through Friday with The Wine Cellar. | | |
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With traditional roast turkey and "all the fixins," the white wine should match well with the flavoring ingredients in the stuffing. For example, if the stuffing is flavored with either apples or apricots, then the following off-dry selections will work nicely:
1997 Carl Graff, Wehlener Sonnenuhr, Riesling Spätlese, Mosel-Saar-Ruwer, Germany (4600, on sale: $10.79): This classic Riesling has aromas of apples and ripe peaches with light body and crisp acidity. The flavors of apples and citrus and well balanced through a lively finish.
1997 Chateau St. Jean, Gewürztraminer, Sonoma County (Specialty 6437, $11.99): Winemaker Steve Reeder has crafted this lovely wine with pleasant aromas of honeysuckle, lychees and citrus followed by flavors of ripe peaches and honey balanced with refreshing acidity. The wine's lingering finish is fruity but well balanced.
1997 Pine Ridge Winery, Chenin Blanc-Viognier, California (Specialty 989, $9.99): The wine has pleasing aromas of wild flowers, honey and oranges. The slightly off-dry flavors of citrus and honey are well balanced and medium bodied. Crisp acidity balances the fruity finish.
With stuffing flavored with onions and herbs, pick from the following:
1997 Georges DuBoeuf, Viognier, Vin De Pays de l'Ardeche, France (8640, on sale: $9.89): The wine has light aromas of honeysuckle and citrus followed by flavors of oranges and honey balanced with crisp acidity. The dry finish delivers ample fruit and good balance. An excellent value.
1997 Alderbrook Vineyards, Gewürztraminer, Russian River Valley, "Saralee's Vineyard" (Specialty 1464, $10.99): The deep golden color opens to concentrated, elegant aromas of citrus, pineapple and rose petals. The medium body has flavors of ripe grapefruit, oranges and honey balanced with great acidity. The lingering finish is slightly off dry and has loads of fruit flavor.
1997 Chateau St. Jean, Chardonnay "Belle Terre Vineyard," Alexander Valley (Specialty 3129, $23.99): This is a classic California chardonnay with full aromas of apples, coconut and vanilla. The rich flavors of citrus and vanilla blend with a rich, creamy texture and a lingering fruit finish.
With a stuffing incorporating oysters, choose from the following:
1997 Lawrence J. Bargetto Winery, Dry Gewürztraminer, "Barrel Fermented," Santa Cruz Mountains, California (Specialty 3477, $12.69): The wine has classic aromas of citrus, rose petals and lychees with hints of smoky oak. Flavors of citrus and honey combine with excellent acidity leading to a lingering, dry finish.
1998 Callaway Vineyards, Viognier, Temecula, California (SLO 54565, $18.70, Available from Joe Elchik of Margolis/-Southern Wines at 412-653-5066): This delicious and stylish wine is reminiscent of the dry white wines of Condrieu, which is the traditional home of Viognier in the northern Rhone Valley of France. Callaway Viognier opens with delicate, fresh aromas of honeysuckle and citrus balanced by tasty, clean flavors of ripe citrus and apricots. The elegant, dry finish is lush and fruity.
With stuffing flavored either with chestnuts or walnuts, the following are excellent:
1997 Mantanzas Creek Winery, Chardonnay, Sonoma Valley, California (Specialty 2555, $32.79): This is a Burgundian style chardonnay with refined, understated elegance. The wine opens with aromas of honey, pineapple and apples and continues with rich, well-balanced flavors of citrus, tropical fruit, apples, and vanilla. The delicious, lingering finish has plenty of crisp acidity and ample fruit.
1997 Domaine Roulot, Bourgogne Blanc, France (SLO 58682, $24.99, available from Gateway Wines at 412-682-1099): The wine opens with understated aromas of apples, grilled nuts and oak and then delivers a rich, creamy mouth feel and delicious flavors of apples and hazelnuts. The wine's great, clean acidity makes it a very fine table wine. Monsieur Roulot is one of the premier producers in Burgundy.
The following reds are excellent, "all purpose" choices to balance out the white wine selections:
1997 Louis Jadot, Chateau de Poncie, Fleurie, France (Specialty 1938, $11.99): This Cru Beaujolais has a lovely dark crimson color and pleasant aromas of blueberries and violets. The juicy flavors of ripe blueberries and plums have a pleasing tartness and good balance. This is a very tasty and lively wine.
1997 Chateau Souverain, Zinfandel, Dry Creek Valley (Specialty 6100, $13.99): This ruddy ruby colored wine offers aromas of raspberries, vanilla and spicy oak. The medium body is loaded with flavors of ripe raspberries and oak accents. The supple texture is fruity, well balanced and delicious.
1996 Quail Ridge Winery, Zinfandel, Napa Valley, Dalraddy and Nahigian Vineyards (SLO# 53090, $15.38, available from Tom Zenobile of Capital Wines at 412-494-7447): This "old vines" zin has a sumptuous, silky texture bursting with flavors of ripe blackberries and raspberries. The wine is balanced with oak nuances and good acidity. The finish is soft and saturated with delicious fruit.
1995 Domaine Machard de Gramont, Savigny-les-Beaune (SLO 58591, $19.95, available from Gateway Wines): This is a very good value on solid, well-made red Burgundy drinking at its peak. The ruby color leads to seamless, well-knit aromas of black cherries, truffles, cedar and smoke. The texture is soft, but well balanced and saturated with delicious flavors of black cherries. The superb acidity is refreshing. Excellent with duck.
