Posts for 'Wine Gifts' Category

It seems there are as many theories about what wines pair best with a traditional Thanksgiving dinner as there are recipes for cranberry sauce. OK, maybe not that many - but a lot in any case. You needn’t fear that we’re going to subject you to a lengthy enumeration of said theories; on the contrary, we’re going to shortcut the whole contentious business by providing you with a single infallible guideline that anyone can commit to memory in two seconds: Drink what you like.

We arrive at this conclusion on the basis of years of empirical research carried on over many a gravy-stained tablecloth. On various fourth Thursdays in November we’ve sipped reds from Bordeaux, Burgundy, and Beaujolais, as well as Chianti, Chinon, Rioja, Bandol, Oregon pinot noir, and Southeastern Massachusetts cabernet franc; every one spot on, none a demonstrably better match than another.

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There is no one perfect wine for Thanksgiving dinner. After all, even a cursory search of suggestions from a handful of America's wine writers reveals picks from Pinot Grigio to Picpoul, from Chardonnay to Grüner Veltliner and from Sekt to Shiraz. Not to mention Mead.

The problem is that the meal itself is so varied at different homes, from goose to tofu turkey, that it's impossible to pinpoint one kind of wine that would be perfect with everything. Not only that, but tradition is important, too. When John was growing up, Thanksgiving was one of three nights all year when there was wine in the house (Passover and New Year's Eve were the other two).

For Thanksgiving, his father always bought a bottle of Korbel sparkling wine, opened it with great flourish and poured a little for everyone into beautiful Champagne glasses. If we could celebrate one more Thanksgiving with John's parents, there is not a wine on earth that could be more perfect than Korbel.

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What's the best way to toast mom? Many Americans will raise a glass over brunch. To do it in style, consider these 10 wine picks. With its effervescence and subtle touches of tart and sweet, sparkling wine belongs at the top of the list. Several tantalizing possibilities offer a twist on the traditional choice of champagne.

In Depth -  10 Perfect Brunch Wines  Take prosecco, the soft, bubbly wine made in the Veneto region of Italy. Named for the prosecco grape, this wine has exploded in popularity in the last five years. One of its major selling points: price. La Tordera Prosecco, produced by a hillside family winery near Venice, retails for just $19. Trace amounts of chardonnay give this pick a creamy finish and notes of peach and honeysuckle.

Or consider a sparkling rosé made by a champagne producer, like Ayala Majeur Rosé. Owned by Bollinger, an esteemed champagne house with roots dating back to 1585, the Ayala label is priced at $62, a good deal less than Bollinger's own Brut Rosé, which sells for $100.

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