Wines to Serve with Family Feasts (including turkey!)

When smell of cooking turkey will soon be in the air,  take time beforehand to consider what wines you’ll serve.  I chatted with Caroline Vogt Lee, wine buyer for Tahoe House Bakery & Gourmet in Tahoe City, and emerged with some reasonably-priced recommendations from their wine corner.

Start with a bottle of Prosecco, always versatile.  Lamberti Prosecco, extra dry, is a sparkler from the Veneto region of Italty.  It has some delicate mineral notes and stonefruit flavors and will pair well with such savory appetizers as pesto & spinach stuffed mushrooms or Spanikopita.  11 per cent alcohol.    $14.99/bottle

Another good appetizer-friendly wine is the J Vineyards Pinot Gris, California.  This well-priced wine ($14.99/bottle) has a lot going for it. The winemaker notes that it is a blend of 100% Pinot Gris fruit from Preston Vineyard and Saralee’s Slusser Road vineyards in the Russian River Valley, with grapes also from several vineyards located along the Salinas River near King City in Monterey County and vineyards in the Sacramento River Delta area of Clarksburg. 13.8 per cent alcohol.  

Pinot Noir is a perfect pairing with turkey.  “The Argyle Pinot Noir, 2010, Willamette Valley, Oregon is excellent. It’s 13 per cent alcohol and sells for $28, which is a good price for Oregon Pinot Noir,” notes Caroline.

The Sobon Estate 2010 Amador County Old Vine Zinfandel would be a good choice for those who prefer a more full-bodied wine with their turkey.  This is a great example of Amador Zinfandel, with aroma of cherries, blackberry and maybe a touch of cocoa. Sobon makes this wine from their own certified organically grown grapes.   14.9 per cent alcohol.  $13.99/bottle.

For those who want white wine with their turkey and trimmings, Tahoe House features Pine Ridge 2011 Chenin Blanc/Viognier blend (79% Chenin Blanc, 21% Viognier). The winemaker notes that this blend unites the crisp, honeyed fruit of Chenin Blanc with the plush body, light floral aromas and juicy stone fruit notes of Viognier.  12 per cent alcohol. $14.99/bottle.

If you are a pecan pie fan, as I am, you can serve either of the red wines with this and other desserts.  Enjoy!

Tahoe House prepares wonderful ready-to-go side dishes, appetizers and desserts.  Other purveyors of already-prepared dishes to relieve the crush in the kitchen on family feast days are Dockside 700, and Spoon, both in downtown Tahoe City.