Thanksgiving is just around the corner and I hope you will be home enjoying family and friends with some good wine selections. I spend Thanksgiving with one of my close childhood friends and of course I am in charge of the wine. (I bring an appetizer, mashed potatoes and dessert too).  This Thanksgiving I want to go out of the norm, well somewhat and let’s look at some selections that you might find on my table.

Begin the festivities with a nice glass of Cava. Cava is made in the same way Champagne is made, but at a quarter of the price.  Try Campos De Estrellas Cava. (previously blogged) Produced in North East Spain.  The grape varieties in the cava are Macabeu, Xarel-lo and Parellada with each variety bringing something different to the bottle. After spending 15 months on the lees, you’ll find some soft breadiness that is just enough and not over powering. The palate is dry with nice acidity and hints of apple, peach and melon. It has a nice clean finish with a touch of honey.

This Cava is a great value at $9.99.  I wish I purchased a case!

Let’s get local for a minute with Baskakill Vineyards 2012 Barn Owl Gewurtztraminer.  You will find some soft jasmine on the nose and palate with a little hint of honey and spice.  The palate is wonderful, soft and inviting.  It has a slight honey finish.

This wine retails for $15.00

A nice Chateau Grand Jean 2011 White Bordeaux which is a blend of 70% Semillon and 30%Sauvignon Blanc.  Semillon adds a different type of mouth feel to the wine making it a little heavier than a Sauvignon Blanc.  I recently blogged about this wine and you can find the post here.

This wine retails for $9.99

Picture courtsey of Donna Stannard Camp

I usually don’t talk about my wines on this blog, but I have to make an exception for this post.  Happy Bitch Pink Chardonnay will pair very well with your Turkey
dinner.  It’s an unoaked Chardonnay with a splash of Cabernet Sauvignon.  It begins slightly minerally with hints honeydew melon and green apple.  Midway through your palate she changes her clothes, puts on her red dress and stilettos and goes off in the sunset with soft red berries.

This wine retails for $12.99

Now for a bottle of red for the table.  We usually will go for a Pinot Noir. Selecting a Pinot from the Wairau Valley, Marlborough region of  New Zealand I find a Goldwater 2010  Pinot Noir.   Aromas of red berry and oak fill the glass with a strong scent of vanilla and a hint of cocoa.  The palate is filled with strawberry, hints of cherry throughout with some nice earthy and spicy black pepper notes on the finish.  It’s a very well rounded wine and retails for $25.00

No matter what wine / wines you choose for your Thanksgiving table the most important item is that you enjoy them and the people around you!