Talking Turkey About PLCB Wine

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thanksgiving-wine-pairings
Photo by hzeller

Howdy, pilgrim. Here at PA Vine Co, we love Thanksgiving, even though we tend to associate it more with food than family. Being haplessly fixated and obsessive wine types, we would much rather rise to the notoriously difficult task of wrestling with Thanksgiving food pairings than deal with stressful travel and wine-agnostic aunts who make no distinction between a glass of our good stuff and a cold-frosted Silver Bullet in a can.

The trickiest part of Thanksgiving pairing is matching the varied and sometimes divergent flavors on the table. Even for the most seasoned drinker, it’s particularly difficult to find something that goes well with everything (and let’s face it – nothing goes well with cranberries). Regardless, we’re up for the challenge. That’s right, bring ‘em on – the salty proteins (turkey, ham, duck, goose, roasts or the blasphemous tofu) prepared in myriad ways with sides of root veggies, stuffing, green beans with crunchy onions, creamy dishes and more.

As an overall tip for the big day, be realistic. The food is so rich and diverse that it’s best to save your complex, beguiling wines for another occasion. Your expectations and wallet will thank you.

So, no matter if you’re roasting, basting, smoking, baking, frying, brining or turduckin’ on Thanksgiving Day, our crack team of tasters has sifted through hundreds of potential wines so you won’t have to, and compiled a list of reasonably-priced bottles that are sure to goose your bird.

Capsule reviews were written by Jeff Alexander (JA), Jeff Kralik (JK) and Mike Madaio (MM).

Fcoppola-sofia-blanc-de-blancsrancis Ford Coppola Sofia Blanc de Blancs 2011 This wine is right in my wheelhouse: Sparkling wine (check), Alsatian grape varieties (check), named after the daughter of the director of the Godfather movies (whoa…double or triple check). (Apparently, when Sofia Coppola was a little girl, Poppa Coppola made her a promise that he would one day name a sparkling wine after her… a fact I choose to highlight rather than Sofia’s performance in Godfather III.) This wine incorporates three varieties from Alsace (86% Pinot Blanc, 12% Muscat, 2% Riesling) and has a nose reminiscent more of Prosecco than of Champagne, with melon, lemon curd and a bit of nuttiness coming through. On the palate, it’s certainly sweeter than an Alsatian sparkler, and the Muscat (despite the mere 12%) makes its presence known, resulting in a cross between a Moscato and a more traditional sparkling wine. I’ve not had many sparklers like this, and I am not quite sure how or where to place it, but it would be a very nice pairing for the saltiness and sweetness of the Thanksgiving table, despite its pink cellophane gift wrapping. $15.99 through the PLCB and $14.99 at Total Wine in Delaware. (JK)

Forgeron Cellars Ambiance 2011 This mouth-coating white blend from Washington’s Columbia Valley unites a klatch of European grape varieties including Grenache Blanc, Roussanne, Marsanne and Viognier. From its alluring nose and frisky acidity that cuts through the fattiness of dark meat to its easy way with complicated flavor conversions (the inevitable mash-up of turnips, cranberries, gravy, etc.), the Forgeron Ambiance is a full package pour. It’s a focused mix of fruit, lean acidity and a touch of creaminess, which is another way of saying, in more common grape terms, the zing of Sauvignon Blanc rounded out by the soft, wide body of Chardonnay. Offering an attentive counter to the heaviness of the Turkey Day feast, drinkers might invite its bright pear and pineapple deliciousness, mineral edge and excellent length. Available for $21.99 from the PLCB. (JA)

Acacia Pinot Noir Carneros 2010 As a Pinot-holic (understatement), I’ve convinced myself that it’s nearly impossible to produce a quality PN for under $30. This affordable bottle from Carneros (a region shared by both Napa and Sonoma on the southern end of both valleys), however, left me pleasantly surprised! Rising from the glass, black and sour cherry with a hint of anise and vanilla. On the palate, the cherries were joined with a friendly strawberry Jolly Rancher, followed with an admirable finish. In fact, this is very enjoyable! $21.99 at the PLCB and $18.99 at Total Wine in Delaware. (JK)

La-Braccesca-Rosso-di-Montepulciano-SabazioLa Braccesca Rosso di Montepulciano Sabazio 2010 When it comes to the potentially overwhelming complexity and richness of a holiday plate, I typically look for simple red wines with bright red fruit and lots of acidity to refresh the palate between forkfulls. In particular, traditionally-made Sangiovese from Tuscany tends to fit this role nicely, especially when bumping up against notes of sage, rosemary, and pork fat in the stuffing or sides. For something a little different, look out for this Rosso from La Braccesca in Montepulciano ($14.99 in PA). Made from the same vineyards as the richer, more complex Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, these grapes are sourced from younger vines, resulting in a simple, everyday wine that will play well with just about any dish. If you can’t find this one, the Borgo Scopeto Chianti Classico 2009 is another nice, food-friendly Sangiovese-based wine that’s reasonably priced as a Chairman’s Selection for $12.99. (MM)

Bonus Picks Other bottles we’ve recently reviewed that would be good choices for Turkey Day: