How to avoid know-it-alls at the grocery store searching for T-Day wines by being a know-it-all.

I almost fought a 55+ year old woman at the grocery store over “wines that work with Turkey.” We shall call her Puzzled Peggy, for the story’s sake.

We were hub nubbin’, like everyday averagers in the wine section, with no steward to be seen and Peggy looking puzzled. Being a frequenter to the aisle, I offered my assistance, if she needed a recommendation or help, what have you.

Me: “So what are you looking for?”
PP: “Oh, just something to go with turkey.”
Me: “Aren’t we all. You know… Most things go with turkey. Try this Cab with it – it’s lighter and fruity and pretty good!”
PP: “You can NOT pair a Cab with turkey. It will completely overpower it.”
Me: [to myself] I hate people like you.
Me: [aloud] “Okay, yeah, just go with the completely sold out Riesling or Pinot Gris for $8. Have a good day!”

That being said, to prevent running into me at a grocery store and getting yelled at, I’ve prepared a recommended list of “unconventional” varietals that can go with turkey.

“But OMG, that’s a red wine…” recs:
- Coeur de Terre 2007 Pinot Noir: This is the first PN this prestigious Willamette Valley producer has released at this price range of sub $20. Family owned and ran, these guys have been doing PN for over 10 years and know their juice. Bright cherry and strawberry, followed by a blanketed texture of brambles, spice, smoke and grainy minerality. Balanced with acid to cut through the richness of holiday food. Perfect for deep fried turkey.
- Georges Duboeuf 2009 Beaujolais Nouveau: According to the Washington Post, Beaujolais and Thanksgiving go together like a horse and carriage, just as Champagne and New Year’s Eve. Why come? The annual release of Beaujolais Nouveau is always the third Thursday of November, aka exactly one week prior to Turkey Day and meant to be drunk right away. And this is French law. Tres bien! The wine is fruity with red berries, light and lively with acidity and spice. No tannins, but decent structure for a juice bomb. Meant for your uber juicy roasted turk.

“Finally, a white wine” … that isn’t overdone recs:
- Volker Eisele 2007 Gemini: 71% Sauvignon Blanc and 29% Semillon with a smidgen of time in oak, this is the latest from this Napa winery’s wine series that year after year racks in 90+ point wines from the organic estate vineyard. The oak adds in toasted vanilla and spice tones with some depth in tropical and citrus fruits, finishing out bone dry. It’s just asking for cranberries or stuffing.
- Quady 2007 Essensia Orange Muscat: Yes, this is a dessert wine. Which means more sugar and more booze, awriigh. The winemaker from Quady also used to work in “pyrotechnics” in the 70s… I love it! $17. Heady juice, not necessarily in the booze and sugar, but added with the fruit flavors of apricots, butterscotch and vanilla, there is some serious potency. This is all defied with some crisp acidity to balance it out. It also helps when the International Wine Review says it is the Thanksgiving pumpkin pie pairing wine.

And now… You are thirsty! Go and drink wine. And laugh at Puzzled Peggy because you know what you are getting. Ha!

Love you,
Erin