Thanksgiving Wine Guide: Defined by Divisions, United by Joy
Greetings VinoVossers, There is no doubt about it, Thanksgiving causes division. This is not making reference to that one family member and their actions. This is making reference to the fact that Thanksgiving is simply so varied, and celebrated in many ways, that to suggest wines for it we have to understand the divisions that create its diversity. So join us as we move through Thanksgiving to Friendsgiving, and past all manner of turkeys, to make sure that you have the right wine on hand this holiday season.
The First Division - Thanksgiving Vs Friendsgiving
The first division of Thanksgiving is between Thanksgiving and Friendsgiving. Thanksgiving is family-based. Each family is unique in its habits and Thanksgiving reflects this. There will be rules and traditions, like what the side dishes are and who makes what. Yet, there is also the informality that comes with familiarity. You might be told to sit wherever you fit and to help yourself. Whatever you are told, you do the opposite because you know that nobody ever sits on the good couch at your aunt's house.
In contrast, Friendsgiving is an orphanage, a collection of people separated from family, brought together by a determination to be cheerful in the face of loneliness. If there are rules, nobody knows what they are. There will be side dishes because everyone feels the need to bring something, but they may be unconventional, like kimchi fried rice, but so magnificent in their flavor and originality that you add them to your own table when you migrate back to Thanksgiving.
Conversation at Friendsgiving starts with the awkwardness of unfamiliarity but evolves into the delight of randomness and authenticity as you find your people within the group. You can't choose your family but you can choose your new friends. Whatever type of gathering you eat at, you will need something to commence the celebrations or break the ice. The best way to do this is with bubbles.
If you are at a Thanksgiving, then you want a sparkling wine that keeps with traditions, like family. However, in light of the fact that you are celebrating a harvest where the Native Americans taught the pilgrims how to farm in the local conditions, there needs to be an element of something new. The best choice is a Cava, a sparkling wine from Spain. It is made using the same traditional method as Champagne but with a different set of grape varieties. Just pop the cork and add your favorite toast.
If you are at a Friendsgiving, then you need a wine that can serve as a conversation starter. A Pet-Nat, or ancestral method, style sparkling wine makes a great choice. As a category, Pet-Nats are overlooked, allowing you the chance to ask other guests if they have had one before. As a style, Pet-Nats are uncomplicated, they are neither aged, nor age-worthy. They are wines of the moment, and Friendsgiving is one of those moments.
The Second Division - Turkey
There is no doubt about turkey being the most popular centerpiece of the Thanksgiving table. However, there is much doubt, and even more debate, about the best way to prepare the bird. One is either a roaster, a smoker, or a deep-frier. Some are unable to choose between methods. Others opt to cook more than one bird to allow for multiple methods. Fortunately, no matter which way you choose to go about it, VinoVoss is here with wine pairings that will compliment the result.
The Classic Roast Turkey
Generations of your family can not be wrong, and if you stick to their hand-me-down recipe, neither will you be with a classic roast turkey. Turkey has a greater intensity of flavor when compared to other poultry. This intensity, combined with the butter-borne richness of basting needs something that has enough richness of its own to harmonize, but the freshness to provide a counterpoint.
As a grape, riesling is known for its vitality and refreshing, fruit-wrapped, core of acidity. They make a good match for turkey in general. However, Rieslings from the sunny French region of Alsace stand out for their greater density of fruit and phenolic richness on the palate. They are the best Rieslings to pair with classic roast turkey if you can find one near you.
Lively, textural, perfumed, and expressive of origin. If Riesling had a red grape counterpart, it would be Pinot Noir. Wines from Oregon are particularly notable for their delectable combination of fruit density and silken tannin texture that make them the softest big wines you will ever try. Just remember to leave a little in your glass to enjoy after the meal too.
The Smoked Turkey
Cooking the turkey on the smoker kicks everything up a notch. The skin becomes a dark bronze in color, the savouryness of the turkey increases and most of all, the rich notes of your choice of wood underscore everything. It is the choice for those who want flavor as big as their appetites.
Oak influence in white wine is the key to finding a wine capable of standing up to the power of smoked foods. The Babylonstoren Chardonnay, made on a lovingly restored farm on the Western Cape, sees 100% new, French oak barrels. It is incredibly opulent as a result. This is the sort of oak application that usually gets reserved for the best vintages of the finest white Burgundies. The chance to enjoy all the high quality oak, and its matching potential for a fraction of the price is hard to refuse.
When it comes to pairing red wines with smoked food, look for an abundance of ripe fruit. A good match will exhibit a nose similar to a fruit compote. A great match will have a similar richness and density of fruit on the palate. Wines made from old vine zinfandel often fit this description, and the Turley family farms some of the oldest vines in California and create benchmark examples of the style from them.
The Deep Fried Turkey
The deep fried turkey is for those who want everything. Using this method to prepare your bird yields both the crispiest skin you can imagine, and the juiciest meat. The only downside is that you will spend idle moments over the next year dreaming about it whenever you are hungry. All that crispy skin and succulent meat result in a lot of richness. The perfect match for deep fried turkey brings some refreshing zing to bring the picture into balance.
The vibrant acidity of Sauvignon Blanc allied with its herbaceous nuance that mimics many of the herbs used in turkey stuffing and fried poultry seasoning make it the perfect pairing for golden, deep fried, turkey. The pungent herbal snap of wines from New Zealand's Marlborough region makes them a great choice.
Blessed with crunchy cranberry and red currant fruit, Cabernet Franc from the Loire Valley in France is made for the Thanksgiving table. If you add its lip-smacking, cool climate, freshness and lively acid structure then you have just the red wine you need for that deep fried, golden bird.
Wishing You A Happy Holiday No Matter How You Celebrate
Thanksgiving brings many divisions. However, there are divisions that help us embrace diversity rather than fight it. Whether you are at a Thanksgiving with family, or at a Friendsgiving with new friends-in-waiting, there is a sparkling wine on VinoVoss that will help you set the mood. Likewise, whether you are a classic turkey roaster, a smoker, or a deep fry guy, or gal, VinoVoss has the wines that will help bring your friends and family the most this holiday season. From our family to yours, Enjoy!
Matthew Cocks
