The Turkey of Wine Occasions

Thanksgiving is near. There's good news and bad news. The good news is that you get to have a nice holiday with your family (I'm sure some of you are thinking that's the bad news, but you know you love 'em). The bad news is that you're supposed to bring wine and you have no idea what to get, and what's more, Thanksgiving dinner is a notoriously difficult meal with which to pair said wine. A good wine merchant can help you out, and here are a few suggestions from this one:

First up, the king of turkey wines, Riesling. Look for an off-dry style (Halbtrocken or Kabinett if the wine is German), because it will have enough acid to cut through the sweeter aspects of your traditional feast, like cranberry sauce and yams, and enough body and creamy sweetness to stand up to the more savory elements like gravy.

Best in class: Poet's Leap Riesling

Budget alternatives: Tangent Riesling, Richter Zeppelin Riesling, Mercer Riesling

Other white wine alternatives are Viognier, Sauvignon Blanc and the ubiquitous Chardonnay. In the case of the latter two, you'll want a balanced wine. With Sauv Blanc, look for a French or Napa style that combines a little bit of mineral with fruit, and avoid a New Zealand style that bombards you with grapefruit and white pepper. For Chard, you'll want a full-bodied but not overly oaked wine.

Best bets: Tangent Viognier, Provenance Sauvignon Blanc, Hoopla Sauvignon Blanc, Lonen Chardonnay, LIOCO Sonoma Chardonnay

The classic red wine answer to perplexing gastronomical conundrums is Pinot Noir thanks to its versatility. Look for an elegant style with a good balance of fruit and earth elements and smooth tannic structure.

Best in class: Le Cadeau Cote Est Pinot Noir, LIOCO Carneros Pinot Noir

Budget alternatives: Anne Amie Cuvee A Pinot Noir, Waterstone Pinot Noir, Francois Raquillet Mercurey Vieilles Vignes Bourgogne

If you are a little more adventurous with your meal and end up eating duck or deep-fried turkey, or if you are just a red-wine devotee who would drink a full-bodied wine with your breakfast cereal, your best bets are Cabernet Sauvignon (or it's Bordeaux blend siblings) or Syrah. Look for fruit forward wines that aren't overly tannic.

Best bets: Jocelyn Lonen Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, Kinkead Ridge Cabernet Sauvignon, Bookwalter Foreshadow Cabernet Sauvignon, Bookwalter Subplot 23, Owen Roe 'ex umbris' Syrah, Baileyana Syrah, Boom Boom Syrah

Still not sure? You're in luck. Our weekly wine tasting at Bruning's is focussing on wines for the holiday. Click here for a link to this week's tasting menu.

Happy Thanksgiving!