FEAST’S PARTNER
Some wines go better with turkey than others. Our suggestions for what to serve with the holiday bird.
I’m of two minds when it comes to pairing wines with our Thanksgiving Day feasts. A side of me says, “Don’t sweat it!” After all, it’s usually a big family party where anything goes, beverage-wise. So drink what you like, not what you’re told to like.
But it’s also a known fact that some varietals handle the wideranging Turkey Day flavors better than others. The default grape, most agree, is pinot noir with zinfandel close behind, as long as it’s not the high-alcohol kind. The Bordeaux-blend grapes are to be shunned if at all possible, although one of our recommendations does include a small petite verdot component. And chardonnay works only if you’re eating turkey straight, no cranberry sauce, sweet potato or rich mushroom-gravy chasers.
I’m personally a fan of pairing rosé with the varied flavors of Thanksgiving, but make sure it’s a well-structured wine with a strong mineral backbone.
Today we’re recommending an all-American lineup for the all-American holiday with three pinot noirs and the petite verdot-petit sirah blend that’s a really fun wine to drink and not over-think. Unless otherwise stated, the prices listed are what Spec’s charges for a cash purchase and bottles were available at the chain’s Midtown store at press time. But that doesn’t mean you won’t find the wines elsewhere locally or by ordering directly from the winery.